Qualitative systematic review: An example from primary prevention in adultmental health

This paper describes a useful variant of the 'systematic review', a recent development in review 'science', using primary prevention in adult mental h ealth as an illustration. Seventeen programme evaluations were identified a s a result of rigorous search and inclusion criteria. The methodology of ea ch study was then evaluated in terms of eight threats to validity, as outli ned by Ellis el al. (1996). Additionally, the merits of the programmes were evaluated according to the type of study and it's outcomes. Most projects reported significant findings (N = 13), but the sample included only seven randomized controlled trials. Whilst the research status of the field appea rs to have improved significantly over the last two decades, because of the methodological threats, the extent of any clear economic and clinical bene fits resulting from the approach have yet to he established. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.