El metaanálisis en el ámbito de las Ciencias de la Salud: una metodología imprescindible para la eficiente acumulación del conocimiento

Meta-analysis is a methodology for the systematic and quantitative review of research that is widely consolidated and applied in Health Sciences. It offers the necessary techniques to rigorously and efficiently accumulate quantitative results on the empirical studies regarding a common health problem. It allows health care professionals to make well-informed decisions in their respective areas. In this article and with the help of some examples obtained from within the physiotherapy setting, we have described the main characteristics of meta-analysis, its execution phases and its usefulness in health care research. The relevance of meta-analysis in the evidence based medicine approach and some perspectives on the future of meta-analysis are shown.