Rapid review : a research method to respond urgently to a problem

ABSTRACT

The COVID 19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of rapidly sharing evidence-based scientific findings to help guide healthcare decision making. This article aimed to propose a summary to facilitate understanding of the rapid review (RR) research method in general medicine. RR is a form of knowledge synthesis with a simplified methodology which produces results with a short turnaround time, specifically meant to answer research questions where the issue appears urgent, in collaboration with interested parties. The analysis of the articles is carried out in a way that limits the means used while still obtaining reliable results. Differents steps are necessary for this to be achieved. However, due to the non-exhaustive nature of this form of literature review, there are methodological biases associated with it. RR is not designed to replace a systematic review when one is possible, but it can provide rapid results when an issue related to healthcare is a priority.