Gözlemsel sağlık araştırmaları için tamamlayıcı bir yan tutma riski değerlendirme aracı (BiRDA kontrol listesi): Metodolojik bir çalışma

Abstract

Assessment of bias in health studies is important and not easy to measure objectively. The aim of this study was to develop an easy-to-use, comprehensive, cost effective and time efficient bias control tool for observational studies. This was a methodological study conducted between June 2018 – June 2020. Literature review to extract items, expert opinions, Delphi panels, construction of the framework and the content of the tool, statistical analysis and reporting of the study were the main steps. Literature review was conducted with prespecified keywords by researchers. “Expert Assessment Form” was used to evaluate expert opinions. Although Content Validity Ratio (CVR) was used to check the content validity, it was mainly based on consensus of experts. Three Delphi panels were carried out. The name of the developed tool was decided to be Bias Risk Assessment Tool (BiRAT). It was considered to use the abbreviations BiRAT-CS for cross-sectional studies, BiRAT-CC for case-control studies and BiRAT-Co for cohort studies. Descriptive statistics A total of 71 expert assessment forms were sent to 67 experts and 44 of them were received. As a result of the assessments made after the Delphi panels; 67-item BiRAT-CS, 69-item BiRAT-CC and 70-item BiRAT-Co were developed. BiRAT tools may be used in training, preparing for a study, or publication process. However, bias assessment tools should be used with mobile / online applications or artificial intelligence technologies for easier use and further development since the use of them were generally impractical.