Making sense of the evidence to inform programmes, policies, and practice

In the rapid-evolving landscape of public health research, systematically synthesizing evidence is critical for informed and sound decision-making and advancing scientific understanding. This course offers a thorough introduction to the methods and tools required to evaluate, synthesize, and apply evidence in public health practice and research. Designed for researchers and public health practitioners at any level, this course provides foundational knowledge of systematic and scoping reviews, meta-analysis, and the integration of evidence into actionable recommendations.

Participants will engage with the principles of evidence reviews, including protocol development, question formulation, literature search strategies, data extraction, and quality appraisal. The course introduces various study designs essential for public health, enabling participants to conduct rigorous risk-of-bias assessments. A unique feature of the course is an introduction to the application of meta-analysis, a statistical toolkit to pool findings from multiple studies. Participants will learn how the basic concepts of meta-analyses (including Bayesian meta-analysis), assess heterogeneity, and interpret pooled results using real-world examples.

The course also incorporates modern tools and approaches, including AI-powered instruments to streamline various stages of the review process and enhance productivity.

By the end of the course the participant will:

• Understand the key steps in conducting systematic and scoping reviews, including literature mapping and quality appraisal;
• Gain knowledge of pivotal study designs, such as randomized controlled trials, and their strengths, limitations and susceptibility to bias;
• Master the foundational methods of meta-analysis, including heterogeneity assessment and publication bias detection;
• Develop proficiency in using AI tools to organize and synthesize evidence for public health applications.

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No prior statistical modeling knowledge is required, but familiarity with basic epidemiological concepts is recommended.

This 3-day course is a mixture of theoretical lectures and tutor-facilitated small group sessions, with presentations and feedback given.

In order to get the Certificate of completion and the 1 ECTS participants must:

• Attend at least 80% of the course;
• Attend the plenary offered during the first day of the course;
• Actively participate in group-based discussions and exercises;
• Deliver a final team-presentation on the critical assessment of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

At least one facilitator will be on-site in Lugano, and some may join online. Participants are welcomed to join either on-site in Lugano, or online. If face-to-face meeting was problematic for unforeseen reasons, the course could be held online. For those on-site, the course will take place at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI).

For course pricing information, see here. Discounts are available for participants from LMICs, PhD and Master Students, and Students and Employees from the LSS Partner Universities (SSPH+, USI, SUPSI, and SWISS TPH).