Interpreting Meta‐Analyses of Pharmacologic Interventions: The Pitfalls and How to Identify Them Journal Articles uri icon

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abstract

  • Meta‐analyses are key components of evidence‐based decision making. The numbers of meta‐analyses published in different areas of health care increased dramatically during the past 10 years. Many of them covered different pharmacologic interventions, making them useful resources to clinical pharmacists. Although a well‐conducted meta‐analysis may be valuable, a poorly conducted one may have false conclusions and thus incorrectly alter a clinician's recommendations. Several key concepts must be considered when appraising meta‐analyses of pharmacologic interventions.

publication date

  • June 1999