A Dutch GRADE Network workshop
Judgments about evidence and recommendations in healthcare are complex. Systematic reviews of the effects of healthcare provide essential, but not sufficient information for making well informed decisions. Reviewers and people who use reviews draw conclusions about the quality of the evidence, either implicitly or explicitly. Such judgments guide subsequent decisions. Similarly, practice guidelines and people who use them draw conclusions about the strength of recommendations, either implicitly or explicitly.
A systematic and explicit approach to making judgments such as these can help to prevent errors, facilitate critical appraisal of these judgments, and can help to improve communication of this information. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (short GRADE) Working Group (gradeworkinggroup.org) has developed a common, sensible and transparent approach to grading quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. Many international organizations (for example NICE, Cochrane, WHO) have provided input into the development of the approach. GRADE has become the state-of-the-art method for developing evidence-based recommendations.
Course objectives
After this course you will:
- be able to assess and rate the certainty in the evidence for an intervention and to formulate and grade a recommendation using the GRADE approach.
- have hands-on experience in using GRADEpro software to create an evidence profile for an intervention based on a systematic review.
- be up to date on recent developments in de GRADE approach.
For whom?
- Guideline developers
- Systematic reviewers
Program
After an introduction on de concepts of GRADE, the workshop will be 'hands-on' with ample time to practice with the method. We will conclude the day with a brief overview of new developments in GRADE.
Prerequisites
- Basic knowledge of developing a systematic review and critical appraisal of clinical trials.
- Personal laptop to work with GRADEpro (free online software).
Duration
1 full day (8 hours). To prepare for the course you will be asked to read a systematic review (part of the training material).
Trainers
Ton Kuijpers (NHG), Miranda Langendam (Amsterdam UMC), Hans de Beer (Guide2Guidance), Mariska Tuut (PROVA). The trainers are active members of the GRADE working group.
Costs
EUR 450,- per participant. The price includes coffee, lunch and training material.
Group
10 - 18 participants.
Language
Some courses will be held in English in case of non-Dutch speaking participants.
Registration
The next workshop will be in May 2025. The registration will start later.
More information?
Ton Kuijpers (t.kuijpers@nhg.org)
Miranda Langendam (m.w.langendam@amsterdamumc.nl)
Cancellation policy
Cancellations made up to three weeks before the start of the course will result in a full refund less EUR 30 to cover administration costs. Refunds for cancellations received after this date will not be made.