Lead Author of PRISMA 2020 Statement Discusses Research and Publication Trends

May 6, 2021

In a recent discussion with Matt Page, lead author of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020 Statement, he discusses why the 2009 report required updates. He notes that an industry-wide recognition of bias, newly developed research trends, and a greater emphasis placed on transparency have all guided the revised document, which received input from 26 authors throughout the world. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic put the spotlight on speedily published reviews.

According to Page, “We needed the original guidelines because of poor reporting observed across many sections of published reviews,” adding, “I would encourage people who are working on a review now or preparing to undertake a new review to familiarize themselves with PRISMA 2020 as soon as possible. Doing so should help them understand what types of information about their process they should be collecting now, so that they are ready to prepare a transparent account of their review at the write-up stage.” Read more here.