The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is all set to launch a systematic review and meta-analyses to help in decision making for management of lung cancer to guide clinical practice and improve patient outcomes. Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in India accounting for 10% of total cancer deaths in the country. When it comes to prevention, screening, diagnosis, management and palliation of lung cancer, evidence-based guidelines do not exist in India. ICMR has understood this gap and will play a crucial role in synthesising existing evidence to guide clinical practice and improve patient outcomes. The process would entail the compilation of systematic reviews from existing literature.
“Prospective applicants will be tasked to conduct systematic reviews/meta-analysis pertaining to the identified review questions (PICOs) and assessing the quality of evidence using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool.” the ICMR said. According to the Council, the evidence will be systematically assessed fot its strength utilizing the GRADE. This methodology will evaluate the quality of evidence to subsequently inform the formulation of recommendations following the application of Evidence to Decision (EtD) framework. The review team will evaluate literature on 30 review questions identified by the Guideline Development Group. Also, the researchers will generate evidence on the link between tobacco smoking, air pollution and lung cancer. This will help in its prevention. The aim is to bridge the knowledge gap in treatment practices for lung cancer management. Cancer management would accurately on the formulation of specific treatment plan for patients individually. ICMR is the main research institution of biomedical research in India and gives directions to all the national research quests.
The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only.
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