Background: Assessing the certainty of the evidence is among the Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Intervention Reviews (MECIR) standards, and it is also acknowledged as a key step in non-Cochrane reviews. Appropriate interpretation of the results from network meta-analysis (NMA) requires considering the certainty of the evidence.
Objectives: For individuals considering conducting an NMA, to gain familiarity with and begin to gain facility in applying the GRADE Working Group’s approach to rating the certainty of evidence in comparisons within an NMA.
Description: The GRADE Working Group has developed an approach to rating the certainty of evidence (also known as confidence in evidence or quality of evidence) in each comparison within a network meta-analysis. The approach involves three steps: i) rate the certainty of the direct estimates, ii) rate the certainty of the indirect estimates, and iii) rate the certainty of the network estimates. The workshop will begin with an interactive lecture providing details of the approach and then review a step-by-step template for applying the approach. Workshop participants will then break into groups of five or six to work through an example of a network meta-analysis, guided by facilitators when needed. Before the end of the session, the facilitators will lead the large group in a discussion of the results and details of the assessments.