Methodological challenges regarding climate change and health in evidence-based medicine- Presentation of discussions from the german congress for EbM 2023

Session Type
Poster
Category
Transformation of Cochrane systems and processes for evidence synthesis
Authors
Ziegler A1, Bühn S2, Buchberger B3
1Institute for Evidence in Medicine, University clinic Freiburg, Germany
2Deutsche Allianz Klima und Gesundheit e.V. (KLUG), Berlin, Germany
3Robert Koch Institute- Centre for International Health Protection, Berlin, Germany
Description

Background In an editorial from March 2022, a group of Cochrane authors pointed out the crucial role of Cochrane when it comes to synthesize evidence regarding climate change and health as a key topic for future work (https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.ED000156). In this publication, the authors identify numerous challenges (e.g. a high load of search results, inclusion and appraisal of non-RCTs such as Public Health interventions and modelling studies) that result in a call for the Cochrane community to broaden its horizon method wise. In 2022 a working group called “Climate change and health” formed within the German network of evidence synthesis, to prospectively identify those challenges and start developing solutions or ways to address these. Objective: The objective of this presentation is to underline the importance of possible arising methodological challenges and particularly to communicate and discuss the results of a workshop held by members of the working group in March 2023 at the annual German congress of the network of evidence-based medicine. The aim would be to create an international knowledge transfer in both directions and to initiate further exchange to face methodological challenges together. Methods The named workshop with the title „Fish-bowl discussion on perspectives of the Working Group Climate Change and Health“ consists of an introduction into the topic and 3 statements that will be discussed in an interactive format, where the audience becomes part of the panel. The topics of the statements will cover transdisciplinary collaboration, handling of modelling studies and difficulties in knowledge translation all relating to the methods of evidence based medicine and climate health. A anonymised protocol about the discussion will result from the workshop. Expected results We hope to gather insightful information and possible directions for future work towards a high quality evidence synthesis with up-to-date methodological perspectives that result in recommendations to inform health policy makers and to share these insights in an international context.
Patient, public and/or healthcare consumer involvement: The working group will work on a public statement presenting the results of discussions after giving the workshop.