--- title: "Understand meta-analyses in comparative effectiveness. | Sutter Health" description: "Authors highlight the process, strengths, and weaknesses of meta-analysis and explain how to judge the value of the results." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/understand-meta-analyses-in-comparative-effectiveness-1055312642" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Understand meta-analyses in comparative effectiveness. # Meta-analysis 101: what you want to know in the era of comparative effectiveness. Jones JB, Blecker S, & Shah NR. _Am Health Drug Benefits. 1(3):38-43._ 2008-04-01 ## Abstract In the era of "comparative effectiveness" research, each of the major stakeholders in healthcare--payors, patients, providers, and government-face a similar challenge. When making a decision about whether a new device, drug, or a diagnostic modality should be considered for use or coverage, what choices are best supported by the evidence? Medical evidence is defined by randomized controlled trials and by observational studies that vary greatly in their design, the accuracy of their analyses, and the relevance of their conclusions and recommendations. Hence, key decision makers increasingly rely on systematic reviews and meta-analyses to facilitate the interpretation and application of research evidence. Knowing how to evaluate meta-analyses and understanding the potential pitfalls of the method are crucial for those involved in designing drug benefits. The authors highlight the process, strengths, and weaknesses of meta-analysis and explain how to judge the value of the results. [PubMed abstract](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25126223) ![J.B. Jones, Ph.D., MBA](https://dyn.mktgcdn.com/p/rIQfkoa5XfKJYCHSVrDKsACQSNJ7jTljZTHKC4Lae2E/fit=crop,gravity=auto,dpr=2,width=188,height=250,quality=100) J.B. Jones, Ph.D., MBA Principal investigator [View profile](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/jb-jones-phd-mba-1049680984) ## Research topics - [Comparative Effectiveness](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Comparative+Effectiveness%5C%22%22) - [Health Policy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Health+Policy%5C%22%22) - [Medical Informatics](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Medical+Informatics%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [Determinants of generic drug substitution in the United States.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/determinants-of-generic-drug-substitution-in-the-us-1055312368) Segal JB, Onasanya O, Daubresse M, Lee CY, Moechtar M, Pu X, Dutcher SK, Romanelli RJ. Ther Innov Regul Sci. 2168479018820050. doi: 10.1177/2168479018820050. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2019 Jan 13 - Publication ### [Policy-oriented research on improved physician incentives for higher value health care.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/improved-md-incentives-higher-value-healthcare-1055312438) Luft HS. Health Serv Res. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12423. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2015 Nov 17 - Publication ### [A tale of two bounties: the impact of competing fees on physician behavior.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/impact-competing-fees-md-behavior-1055312609) Rice T, Stearns SC, Pathman DE, DesHarnais S, Brasure M, Tai-Seale M. J Health Polit Policy Law. 24(6):1307-30. 1999 Dec 01 - Publication ### [Lower copay and oral administration: predictors of first-fill adherence to new asthma prescriptions.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/predictors-of-first-fill-of-new-asthma-prescriptions-1055312786) Berger Z, Kimbrough W, Gillespie C, Boscarino JA, Wood GC, Qian Z, Jones JB, Shah NR. Am Health Drug Benefits. 2(4):174-80. 2009 Jun 01 - Publication ### [When does adoption of health information technology by physician practices lead to use by physicians within the practice?](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/adoption-and-use-of-health-it-by-physicians-1055312889) McClellan SR, Casalino LP, Shortell SM, Rittenhouse DR. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 20(e1):e26-32. doi: 10.1136/amiajnl-2012-001271. Epub 2013 Feb 8. 2013 Jun 01 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/understand-meta-analyses-in-comparative-effectiveness-1055312642#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Understand meta-analyses in comparative effectiveness."}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/understand-meta-analyses-in-comparative-effectiveness-1055312642#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Meta-analysis 101: what you want to know in the era of comparative effectiveness.","headline":"Understand meta-analyses in comparative effectiveness.","abstract":"In the era of \"comparative effectiveness\" research, each of the major stakeholders in healthcare--payors, patients, providers, and government-face a similar challenge. When making a decision about whether a new device, drug, or a diagnostic modality should be considered for use or coverage, what choices are best supported by the evidence? Medical evidence is defined by randomized controlled trials and by observational studies that vary greatly in their design, the accuracy of their analyses, and the relevance of their conclusions and recommendations. Hence, key decision makers increasingly rely on systematic reviews and meta-analyses to facilitate the interpretation and application of research evidence. Knowing how to evaluate meta-analyses and understanding the potential pitfalls of the method are crucial for those involved in designing drug benefits. The authors highlight the process, strengths, and weaknesses of meta-analysis and explain how to judge the value of the results.","description":"Authors highlight the process, strengths, and weaknesses of meta-analysis and explain how to judge the value of the results.","keywords":["Comparative Effectiveness","Health Policy","Medical Informatics"],"datePublished":"2008-04-01","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/understand-meta-analyses-in-comparative-effectiveness-1055312642","inLanguage":"en-US","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"PMID","value":"25126223"}],"sameAs":["https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25126223/"],"isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Am Health Drug Benefits"},"author":[{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/jb-jones-phd-mba-1049680984","name":"Jones JB","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/jb-jones-phd-mba-1049680984"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Blecker S"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Shah NR"}],"sourceOrganization":{"@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute"},"about":[{"@type":"DefinedTerm","name":"Comparative Effectiveness","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_researchTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Comparative+Effectiveness%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=research_publication"},{"@type":"DefinedTerm","name":"Health Policy","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_researchTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Health+Policy%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=research_publication"},{"@type":"DefinedTerm","name":"Medical Informatics","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_researchTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Medical+Informatics%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=research_publication"}],"mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/understand-meta-analyses-in-comparative-effectiveness-1055312642","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/understand-meta-analyses-in-comparative-effectiveness-1055312642#breadcrumblist"}}} ```