Evidence Map: methodology and application - 2022

Course Introduction

The Evidence Map is a review methodology that allows the systematization and graphical representation of the evidence analyzed in review studies in an area or subarea in relation to the effect of the analyzed interventions on health outcomes.

In the Map, the selected studies are presented in a structure of interventions evaluated against measured results or outcomes, visually highlighting the gaps where there are few or no studies and where there is a concentration of them.

BIREME/PAHO/WHO, taking into consideration the 3ie Evidence Gap Map model (https://www.3ieimpact.org/evidence-hub/evidence-gap-maps), adapted and developed a methodology for creating Evidence Maps linked to the information sources of the Virtual Health Library (VHL).

Purpose
Develop technical skills to graphically represent the characteristics and findings of the evidence analyzed in review studies, associating interventions with the outcomes analyzed in these studies, in addition to linking with the reported effects of the interventions, with the population and focus country of the primary studies included in the reviews.

Goals
Facilitate the application of the Evidence Map construction methodology in public health. The steps include: mapping, selection, evaluation and characterization of scientific evidence studies. The result is a graphical presentation of the evidence in a matrix that lists the interventions and the results of the studies included in the map.

Target Audience
The course is aimed at professionals and students in the area of health and information who use scientific evidence to support research, practice and decision-making in health, among others.

Duration of the course
20 hours

Modality
Self-instructional course, open to the public and with no deadlines to complete.

Programmatic structure
There are 5 Classes with videos and PDF content for offline study or consultation. Workload 20 hours
• Lesson 1 - Introduction, context and methodology
• Lesson 2 - Search and selection of studies
• Lesson 3 - Characterization and evaluation of studies
• Lesson 4 - Intervention matrix and results
• Lesson 5 - Graphical synthesis of evidence - Evidence Map