title: Intervention quality is not routinely assessed in Cochrane systematic reviews of radiation therapy interventions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to maximise the benefits from clinical trials involving technological interventions such as radiation therapy. High compliance to the quality assurance protocols is crucial. We assessed whether the quality of radiation therapy intervention was evaluated in Cochrane systematic reviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched 416 published Cochrane systematic reviews and identified 67 Cochrane systematic reviews that investigated radiation therapy or radiotherapy as an intervention. For each systematic review, either quality assurance or quality control for the intervention was identified by a description of such processes in the published systematic reviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 67 Cochrane systematic reviews studied, only two mentioned quality assurance or quality control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings revealed that 65 of 67 (97%) Cochrane systematic reviews of radiation therapy interventions failed to consider the quality of the intervention. We suggest that advice about the evaluation of intervention quality be added to author support materials.
authors.affiliation: Christchurch Regional Cancer and Blood Service, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Mohamad R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Abdul Rahim
authors.affiliation: Christchurch Regional Cancer and Blood Service, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Melissa L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: James
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Brigid E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Hickey
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011786:Quality Control; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000592:standards*; D012196:Review Literature as Topic
keywords: Cochrane systematic reviews; quality assurance; radiation therapy; radiotherapy; randomised clinical trials