CHAPTER TWO
Methods of the Systematic
Rapid Evidence Assessment
2.1 Review type
The review was a Systematic Rapid Evidence
Assessment (SREA). The SREA is a focused limited-
search review. In this approach:
• the SREA question was very specifically focused
on a particular subgroup and particular type of
intervention for this subgroup only;
• the search was restricted in scope - bibliographic
databases were searched using only a limited range
of search terms rather than extensive search of
all variants, and only a limited search for grey
literature was undertaken;
• a simple descriptive map of included studies was
produced to aid decisions on finalising the scope
for the in-depth review.
Thus the SREA may not be as comprehensive and
detailed as a full systematic review. However, the
processes involved are carried out systematically,
hence the use of the term systematic rapid
evidence assessment as opposed to just rapid
evidence assessment.
The EPPI-Centre tools and guidelines for
undertaking systematic reviews were used
throughout the conduct of the review in order to
limit bias at all stages.
2.2 Review question
How effective are interventions that aim to
improve the delivery of services to HCHHHU
through integration/co-ordination mechanisms
at producing improved outcomes (broadly
defined)?
What evidence is there if any of the relative
cost-benefit of any approaches?
2.3 User involvement
The HM Treasury policy team was consulted
throughout the SREA.
2.4 Identifying and describing
studies
2.4.1 Defining relevant studies: Inclusion
and exclusion criteria
For a paper to be included in the systematic map,
it had to meet the inclusion criteria developed
by the review team in consultation with the SREA
advisory group.
Inclusion criteria
• The study report must be published after 1992.
• The study must be published in English.
• The ‘evidence’ must be a report of an evaluation
of an intervention with data or outcomes (of any
kind).
• The subjects of the intervention must be
service providers or services that are targeted
specifically or have the aim of providing
services to the target group (see HCHHHU
definition below); OR HCHH Household Units in
which members are subject to multiple forms
of intervention to address various problems
which might include more than one of the
following: antisocial behaviour; offending;
addiction problems; child-welfare problems;
lack of education/employment; poor health;
OR communities or localities in which HCHH
household units are present.
• The intervention must be the co-ordination/
integration of multiple services and/or agencies.
The intervention is intended to change the
way that multiple services are delivered to or