Table 1 Overview of NCCMT Rapid Evidence Service team and key responsibilities
Role (number of staff) | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
NCCMT Scientific Director (1) | • Approves question prioritization • Approves completed reviews • Advises on methodological decisions |
NCCMT Operational Lead (1) | • Approves resource allocation • Reviews weekly plan and helps identify potential conflicts |
RES Scientific Lead (1) | • Makes decisions on methodological approach to reviews • Approves deviations from standard protocol • Conducts internal peer review of all rapid reviews |
Rapid Review Lead (3) | • Oversees entire process, per review • Defines question(s) and PICO(s) • Identifies search terms • Completes full text review of results and makes final decisions on study inclusion • Decides how best to organize each review • GRADEs the evidence • Writes the Executive Summary and key messages for dissemination |
RES Coordinator (1) | • Triages question requests, logs questions for team consideration, and consults with RES Scientific Lead, as needed • Documents decisions from weekly team meetings • Contributes to question definition and PICO(s) • Liaises with Rapid Review Lead(s) and staff to coordinate each review • Assigns review teams and develops schedule • Ensures protocol followed • Implements Rapid Review Lead(s)/RES Scientific Lead decision(s) (e.g., review framing and presentation) • Supports staff questions in search, appraise, and study summary stages, consulting RES Scientific Lead, as needed • Facilitates dissemination of reviews • Contributes to review support stages, as needed |
Rapid Review Search Lead (1) | • Conducts initial search of key sources for similar recent reviews • Works with RES Scientific Lead and Rapid Review Lead(s) to refine search strategy or inclusion criteria, as needed • Assigns search tasks to Rapid Review Search Staff, fields questions |
Rapid Review Search Staff (1–2) | • Searches databases and tracks results • Completes title and abstract level screening |
Rapid Review Internal Staff Support (3–4) | • Uses existing template to build rapid review document • Contributes to data extraction and critical appraisal of included studies • Formats final review document • Posts to RES web page and rapid review repository (in progress and complete) • Posts social media content |
Rapid Review External Contractor Support (3–4) | • Contributes to data extraction and critical appraisal of included studies |
Abbreviations: GRADE: Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation; NCCMT: National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools; PICO: Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome; RES: Rapid Evidence Service Note: Some staff contribute to more than one role, e.g., the RES Scientific Lead also acts as a Rapid Review Lead, search staff may contribute as internal support staff, etc. | |