Biarritz is a city located at the south-west of France on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and it is a famous destination for surfers.

Course dates

May 25th-27th, 2022

Course description

For any given condition there is usually a plethora of alternative treatment options. Systematic reviews including several interventions, also known as comparative effectiveness reviews, are increasingly used in the medical literature. Network meta-analysis is an extension of pairwise meta-analysis that allows the simultaneous synthesis of data from networks of interventions. By combining direct and indirect information, network meta-analysis can inform every possible treatment comparison, even those for which no head-to-head trials exist.

This course will focus on the role of network meta-analyses in comparative effectiveness research for healthcare interventions. We will examine the full process of a network meta-analysis from the planning stage and the preparation of the protocol up to the final report and publication of the manuscript. Special attention will be given in proper interpretation of the results. The course will consist of theoretical and practical sessions.

Course objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the concept and the main principles of network meta-analysis
• Write a protocol for a network meta-analysis
• Understand and evaluate the assumptions of a network meta-analysis
• Synthesize the data from a network of interventions
• Interpret the results of a network meta-analysis
• Identify the limitations and potential sources of bias within a network of interventions
• Critically appraise the results from a network meta-analysis
• Create visualizations and prepare the final report

Prerequisites

The course is aimed at physicians and clinical researchers with good understanding of quantitative analyses or epidemiologists, biostatisticians and health economists. Some previous experience with systematic reviews and meta-analyses, basic knowledge of statistics and some experience with R or Stata are required for all participants. Participants will need to bring their laptops with R or Stata installed for the practical sessions.

Course location

The course will take place at Radisson Hotel (1 Carr d’Hélianthe, 64200 Biarritz)

Speakers

Anna Chaimani, Inserm – Université de Paris (France)

Theodoros Evrenoglou, Université de Paris (France)

Silvia Metelli, Université de Paris (France)

Adriani Nikolakopoulou, University Medical Centre of Freiburg (Germany)

Ian White, University College London (UK)

Course Fees

Early bird registration

Student fee: €400; Academic fee: €850; Industry fee: €1200

Regular registration

Student fee: €550; Academic fee: €1100; Industry fee: €1550

The fees cover: course material, beverages and snacks during breaks, and lunch

Course dinner

On Wednesday evening (25 May) participants and speakers will have the opportunity to exchange their scientific experience under a more relaxed atmosphere with a glass of wine. The dinner will take place at Le lieu des pêcheurs.

Cost: free for participants; €40 for additional guests

Participants should indicate their attendance during registration.

Registration

Early bird registration extended until March 14th

Registration closes on 10th May

Maximum number of participants: 30

For all participants and lecturers, valid proof of COVID-19 vaccination or recovery will be required on the first day. Wearing a mask will also be obligatory for everyone.