Systematic Reviews

Cochrane Library
Consists of a regularly updated collection of evidence based medicine resources. Available at: http://www.library.nhs.uk/default.aspx

The Cochrane Library contains the following databases:

• Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR)
  Regularly updated systematic reviews prepared by the Cochrane Collaboration
• Database of Reviews of Effects (DARE)
  A collection of structured abstracts and bibliographic references of systematic reviews assembled by the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD).  A more up to date version is available at: http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/crdweb/
• Health Technology Assessment Database (HTA)
  Bibliographic references and author abstracts by the International Network of Agencies for Technology Assessment (INAHTA) and other healthcare technology agencies.  A more up to date version is available at:http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/crdweb/
• Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL)
  Includes RCTs and other controlled studies identified by contributors to the Cochrane Collaboration. It includes many sources not included in bibliographic databases.

ARIF reviews Database
Database of reviews compiled by scanning current journals and internet sites.  Available at the ARIF website:  http://www.arif.bham.ac.uk/databases.shtml

CRD Research
A list of systematic reviews and other projects including CRD Reports. http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/projects_title_ascending.htm

HTAi Vortal

Compiled by Health Technology Assessment International, it provides links to resources relevant to HTA.  The IRG Vortal allows searching across all public access web sites currently listed in the HTAi Vortal, inlcuding publications of HTA agencies and organisations.  http://www.htai.org/index.php?id=226

Many national and international organisations produce health technology assessments.  Some sources are as follows:

• NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme
  A national programme of research which is co-ordinated by the NHS Co-ordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment.  http://www.ncchta.org/
• National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
  Issues evidence-based guidance to the NHS and patients on health technologies and clinical management of specific conditions.   Guidance, technology appraisals, guidelines and recommendations on the use of interventional procedures used for diagnosis or treatment can be obtained from:  http://www.nice.org.uk
• West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration
  Peer reviewed rapid systematic reviews and cost-effectiveness analyses of health care interventions.  http://www.wmhtac.bham.ac.uk/publications.shtml
• National Horizon Scanning Centre
  Provides advance notice to the DoH and national policy makers in England of selected new and emerging health technologies.  Publications can be found at:  http://www.pcpoh.bham.ac.uk/publichealth/horizon/index.htm
• NHS Quality Improvement Scotland
  The health technology assessment and health care quality improvement agency for Scotland.  http://www.nhshealthquality.org/nhsqis/CCC_FirstPage.jsp
• Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)
  Publications can be found at:  http://www.cadth.ca/
• Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU)
  Publications can be found at:  http://www.sbu.se/en
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
  Includes technology assessments, evidence based guidelines and Evidence Reports.  http://www.ahcpr.gov
• Centre for Clinical Effectiveness, Monash Institute of Health Services Research
  Publications can be found at:  http://www.mihsr.monash.org/cce

MEDLINE and EMBASE   
Search strategies for identifying reviews in MEDLINE and EMBASE (and other databases) can be found at the InterTASC Information Specialists' Sub-Group (ISSG) Search Filter Resource:  http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/intertasc/

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Evidence Summaries

Clinical Evidence
A compendium of evidence on the effects of clinical interventions which is regularly updated.  It summarises the best available evidence.  (A subscription is required for this service). http://www.clinicalevidence.com/ceweb//index.jsp

Bandolier
A rich source of evidence based healthcare information.  http://www.medicine.ox.ac.uk/bandolier

ARIF
Provides an effectiveness information service to healthcare purchasing organisations in the UK West Midlands region.  Summaries of the research evidence uncovered in response to requests received are available at:  http://www.arif.bham.ac.uk

TRIP Database
A database which allows 'health professionals to easily find the highest quality material on the web'. Resources Include references to resources such as systematic reviews, guidelines and e-textbooks.  http://www.tripdatabase.com/index.html

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Ongoing Research

UK Clinical Research Network Portfolio Database
This replaces the National Research Register as the source of Department of Health ongoing and completed research.  http://www.ukcrn.org.uk/index.html

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