Evidence Review and Synthesis Centres

Through a memorandum of understanding with the Jewish General Hospital – Sir Mortimer B. Davis, the Public Health Agency of Canada funds two Evidence Review and Synthesis Centres (ERSCs) for the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care.

University of Alberta (ERSC) and University of Ottawa (ERSC).

1. Dr. Lisa Hartling (PI), University of Alberta;
2. Dr. Melissa Brouwers (PI), Dr. Julian Little (PI), Dr. David Moher (PI), School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa.

ERSC activities

The ERSCs assess and synthesize the most recent evidence on clinical interventions in order to provide the Canadian Task Force with a synthesis of the state of knowledge upon which the Task Force bases its guidelines. The ERSCs also carry out the following activities:

• development of an analytic framework and key questions in collaboration with the Canadian Task Force;
• literature search;
• transparent and reproducible synthesis of scientific data;
• conducting decision analyses, meta-analyses and cost-effectiveness analyses;
• obtaining advice from nationally and internationally recognized experts;
• drafting reports synthesizing the evidence;
• providing technical assistance that enables potential users to apply evidence-based knowledge in clinical practice;
• research on the methods and processes of developing systematic reviews and health technology assessments;
• development, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based tools to improve clinical practice;
• identification and discussion of knowledge gaps identified in the literature, suggesting research questions, study designs and potential analytical methods that could address these gaps in future studies;
• publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and the preparation of special supplements in journals.

The Canadian Task Force annually determines the scope of topics to be evaluated by each ERSC, the type of synthesis and the timelines for these activities. It also advises ERSCs on analytical methods and criteria.