ABOUT THIS BOOK

From research questions to the final report, Kurinchi Gurusamy demystifies the process of conducting high-quality systematic reviews of health and disease.

Systematic reviews are the foundation of evidence-based healthcare, shaping treatment decisions and public health policies. A Guide to Performing Systematic Reviews of Health and Disease is a practical, step-by-step resource designed to help students and health professionals conduct high-quality reviews with confidence, even without extensive statistical training. This guide walks readers through the entire review process using free, open-source software. Each chapter features clear learning objectives and integrated videos to support hands-on learning.

Written by leading expert Kurinchi Gurusamy, this book simplifies complex research methodologies, making systematic reviews more accessible to a broad audience. Whether you are a novice researcher or a healthcare professional seeking to refine your evidence-based practice, this guide provides the essential tools to critically synthesize medical research. With an emphasis on clarity and real-world application, A Guide to Performing Systematic Reviews of Health and Disease is an indispensable resource for anyone looking to contribute to the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare research.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Kurinchi Gurusamy is professor of evidence-based medicine and surgery, head of research at the Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, and lead of the Surgical and Interventional Group at the Comprehensive Clinical Trials Unit at UCL.

REVIEWS

"This textbook on systematic reviews is an indispensable reference for novice researchers. It is didactically well-constructed, guiding readers step-by-step through essential research techniques, with a particular focus on systematic reviews. The clear explanations and structured approach make complex concepts accessible, ensuring that even beginners can confidently navigate and execute systematic reviews. A must-have resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of research methodologies."

— Dr. Stefan Bouwense, Oncological Surgeon, Maastricht UMC+

"An understanding of how treatment options are assessed and compared has never been more important for those involved in the healthcare Industry. Professor Gurusamy is a leading figure in the field of Evidence based healthcare and has delivered seminal systematic reviews for the Cochrane collaboration, the global leader analysing evidence base in healthcare, whilst teaching and training the next generation in systematic review methodology. With years of teaching experience Professor Gurusamy takes us through the basics of study design, an introduction to systematic reviews and how to identify an important research question. This is an essential read and step by step guide to early enthusiasts in systematic review."

— Brian R. Davidson, Professor of Surgery and Head of Surgical Intervention, Royal Free Hospital

"Kurinchi Gurusamy has published extensively in this field, some of which has been used to inform international or UK clinical practice guidelines. A surgeon by background, Kurinchi started publishing with the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group (CHBG) in 2006, and he soon became an Editor and since 2017, he is a Deputy-coordinating Editor of the CHBG. In this textbook, the author gives a succinct introduction to systematic reviews of interventions, that is treatments, prevention, diagnosis, and prognosis. The language is short and clear, and the reader is guided by the author through a very large number of problems and provided with tools to solve them."

— Christian Gluud, Professor and Coordinating Editor of the CHBG Copenhagen Trial Unit, Denmark

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements
Preface

1 Introduction to Study Designs and Randomised Controlled Trials
2 Introduction to systematic reviews
3 Determine the research question
4 Select the studies
5 Extract the data
6 Analyse the data
7 Report the findings

Appendix 1: Answers to Practice Questions