IASR Meta-analysis and Systematic Review Summer Workshop for Mid to Senior Career Suicidologists

Meta-analysis is a powerful statistical procedure for combining data from multiple studies. When the treatment effect (or effect size) is consistent from one study to the next, meta-analysis can be used to identify this common effect. When the effect varies from one study to the next, meta-analysis may be used to identify the reason for the variation. Decisions about the utility of an intervention or the validity of a hypothesis cannot be based on the results of a single study because results typically vary from one study to the next.

Interventions for suicidal behavior include psychosocial approaches, psychopharmacology and suicide prevention strategies. Our field need a series of meta analyses to judge the efficacy and safety of our interventions. However, the conduct of meta-analysis studies need knowledge and expertise. The proposed, “Meta-analysis and Systematic Review Summer Workshop for Mid to Senior Career Suicidologists” aims to provide the basic tools for middle and senior suicidologist to conduct their first meta-analysis or systematic review.

Aim: To promote high level research in suicidology. This workshop will give basic tools for your first meta-analysis. At the end of the workshop, each of the 4 small groups will work on their identified meta-analytic/systematic review topic and develop manuscripts for publication.

Audience: 25–35 mid to senior suicidologists with at least intermediate knowledge in statistics and proven experience in conducting and publishing papers.

Topics that will be covered:

1. Overview of meta-analytic and systematic review methods
2. Literature search
3. Inclusion criteria
4. Calculation and interpretation of effect sizes
5. Heterogeneity assessment
6. Publication bias
7. Limitations of the method
8. Round Table group brainstorm discussion for new topics

Format: An open interactive ZOOM workshop followed by a 1-hour roundtable group brainstorm.

Roundtable topic: What meta-analysis/SR topic the field should focus on in the next 2 years?

At the time of registration, individuals will be asked to register for 1 of 4 small breakout sessions led by IASR Board members and related to the following research areas: biology-pharmacology (Gil Zalsman), psychotherapy (Barbara Stanley), epidemiology or health services (Diana Clarke), and suicide preventive intervention (Vladimir Carli). Enrollment in the small breakout sessions is on a first-come-first-serve basis, so registrants should come prepared to select their second choices at the time of registration.

Lecturer: Stefan Leucht MD

Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Leucht has been practicing at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany since 1994. In 2002/2003 he spent a year as a research associate at the Zucker Hillside Hospital, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in New York. He was appointed associate professor in 2011, and is vice-chairman of the department since 2009. He is also an editor to the Cochrane schizophrenia group. Dr. Leucht’s research focus is psychopharmacology and evidence-based medicine in schizophrenia with a focus on meta-analyses, clinical trials and the improvement of methodology of studies in this area. He also has a research interest in pharmacogenetics, compliance enhancement strategies and medical decision making.

Cost: Free to IASR member; 50 Euros (about $57US) for non-members

Time: Friday, September 11^th 2020: 9AM-1:15PM EDT (Eastern Daylight Time – New York) (15:00-19:15 CET – Central European Time)

                Workshop Agenda:

Lecture:               9:00AM-11:00AM EDT (15:00-17:00 CET)

Coffee Break:     11:00AM-11:30AM EDT (17:00-17:30 CET)

Small Groups:    11:30AM-12:30PM EDT (17:30-18:30 CET)

Report out:         12:30AM – 1:15PM EDT (18:30-19:15 CET)

IASR certificate- for all.