Systematic Reviews of Pharmacy Practice Research: Methodologic Issues in Searching, Evaluating, Interpreting, and Disseminating Results

Although there has been a large number of trials on pharmacist care, often demonstrating clinically significant benefits, the trials generally have not changed practice or healthcare policy. What is needed are focused evidence syntheses, such as a systematic review. A systematic review is defined as a summary that addresses a focused clinical question, using methods to reduce the likelihood of bias. These reviews, which are the highest level of evidence, can help to impact policy by bringing together results of various trials. However, systematic reviews of practice research pose some unique methodologic challenges, including issues with searching, interpreting, and evaluating the available research. Well-conducted systematic reviews of pharmacist interventions could go a long way toward changing pharmacy practice and healthcare policy to recognize the important impact that pharmacists could have in the healthcare system.