Systematic reviews can be powerful tools with which to bring together evidence to inform service-development and clinical decision-making. By identifying, appraising and pooling evidence, systematic reviews and meta-analyses can summarise and communicate what is known on a topic in a more robust, insightful and accessible manner than individual studies alone. They can identify unanswered questions and areas where methodological shortcomings or variation might be imposing a ceiling on understanding.
In this session, we will consider recent reviews in three key areas in forensic mental health, and how they can inform practice:
1. Association between schizophrenia spectrum disorders and violence – pooling evidence from four decades of observational studies, considering relative and absolute risks and offence types.
2. Modifiable risk factors for violence in high-risk clinical populations – synthesising risk factors for any violent outcome, with a focus on individuals with psychotic disorders. It will examine the contribution of symptoms, comorbidities, and treatment-related variables.
3. Outcome measures in forensic psychiatric settings – synthesising evidence for ten common instruments used as outcome measures, evaluated against internationally recognised standards.
As well as outlining key findings and future research priorities, we will discuss methodological challenges in determining relevant samples, identifying studies, and combining data qualitatively and quantitatively.
This session aims to help you:
- Understand the latest evidence for the association between schizophrenia spectrum disorders and violence, modifiable risk factors for violence in high risk clinical populations, and outcome measures used in forensic settings.
- Understand the principles and key methodological challenges of undertaking systematic reviews in this area.
Chair: Artemis Igoumenou, University College London, United Kingdom
Daniel Whiting, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
Seena Fazel, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
Howard Ryland, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
