Delivery format
Online
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies (SR&MADTA Studies) (Online) Non-credit
- Start dateApril 2026Duration2 days/optional +1 day
- AwardNon-credit bearing
- Entry requirements2 day course suitable for healthcare professionals; 3 day course suitable for researchers.
- Fees (UK/Ireland)CPD course fees vary. Please see fee details for more information.
Course overview
The course is designed for researchers seeking to apply rigorous methods to systematic reviews and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies.
Course delivery will include sessions where key content, theory and examples will be presented and self-directed or small group activities where you will have the opportunity to apply this knowledge and ask questions.
The course is delivered by members of the Biostatistics, Evidence Synthesis, Test Evaluation And prediction Modelling (BESTEAM) research team at University of Birmingham. Members of the Team edited and authored the recently published Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy.
Course delivery
Day 1 covers the core methods for conducting a systematic review of diagnostic test accuracy studies, from development of the review question through to methodological quality assessment.
Day 2 sets out considerations related to planning analyses and provides a basic understanding of approaches to conducting, interpreting and displaying the results of meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy data. We also cover approaches to presenting and interpreting review findings using summary tables and plain language summaries.
The optional Day 3 of the course provides the opportunity for learning how to conduct meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy data via hands-on practicals, using either STATA or R programmes.
Course dates
Course dates: 20th April to 21st April (2 day course)
Couse dates: 20th April to 22nd April (3 day course)
Last day to book: 13th April 2026
Further dates to be added
Teaching staff
Dr Clare Davenport
Clinical Associate Professor
Dr Clare Davenport, Senior Clinical Lecturer, Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Birmingham.
Dr Jac Dinnes
Senior Test Evaluation Methodologist
Staff profile for Dr Jac Dinnes, Senior Researcher (Methodologist), Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Birmingham.
Dr Ridhi Agarwal
Medical statistician
Staff profile page for Dr Ridhi Agarwal, Medical statistician in the Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Birmingham.
Dr Sarah Berhane
Medical Statistician
Staff profile for Dr Sarah Berhane, Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Birmingham.
Professor Jon Deeks
Professor of Biostatistics
Staff Profile for Jon Deeks, Professor of Biostatistics, Associate Director of the Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit.
Entry requirements
The two-day course is suitable for individuals undertaking health technology assessment, health service researchers and healthcare professionals interested in conducting and interpreting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of diagnostic test accuracy studies.
The optional third day is suitable for researchers who have completed days one and two of the SR&MADTA course and who wish to develop the statistical skills required to undertake a meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies.
Fees and scholarships
£250 for 2 day course
£350 for 3 day course
Application process
Please book now via our online shop the last day to book is 13th April but there are limited spaces. If you have any queries, please email cmhcpdenquiries@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
The courses have minimum required attendance levels and the University reserves the right to cancel or postpone the course if the minimum required number of delegates has not been achieved for the course.
See how the University of Birmingham uses your data, view the Event attendee privacy notice.