Systematic reviews are an important tool in evidence-based practice, providing a comprehensive and critical assessment of existing research on a particular topic. However, traditional systematic reviews have a major limitation: they can quickly become outdated as new research is published. This is where the concept of “living systematic review” comes into play.

A living systematic review is a dynamic and ongoing process that continually updates the existing evidence base on a particular topic. It involves the regular and systematic search, appraisal, and synthesis of new studies as they are published. The goal is to provide up-to-date and accurate information on a topic, ensuring that practitioners have access to the most recent and relevant evidence.

One of the key benefits of living systematic review is that it addresses the issue of publication bias, which is a well-known problem in traditional systematic reviews. Publication bias occurs when studies with positive results are more likely to be published than studies with negative or inconclusive results. This can lead to an over-representation of positive results in the evidence base, and can result in incorrect or misleading conclusions. By regularly updating the evidence base, living systematic review helps to mitigate this issue and provides a more accurate picture of the available evidence.

Another benefit of living systematic review is that it can help to address the issue of rapidly changing evidence. In many fields, new research is published at an increasingly rapid rate, and it can be difficult to keep up with the latest developments. With a living systematic review, practitioners can be confident that they are using the most up-to-date information, and that they are not basing their practice on outdated evidence.

Living systematic reviews are not without their challenges, however. One of the biggest challenges is the need for ongoing resources and manpower to conduct the searches and appraisals. This requires a commitment from both the researcher and the sponsor to ensure that the review remains up-to-date and relevant.

Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of living systematic review make it an attractive option for evidence-based practitioners. By providing up-to-date and comprehensive information, living systematic reviews can help practitioners make informed decisions, and can support the development of best practice guidelines.

In conclusion, the concept of living systematic review represents a major step forward in evidence-based practice, offering a more accurate and up-to-date picture of the available evidence. By addressing the limitations of traditional systematic reviews, living systematic reviews have the potential to revolutionize the way we use evidence to inform our practice.