26kgg247 10.3205/26kgg247 urn:nbn:de:0183-26kgg2473 Meeting Abstract Hirt Hirt Julian J

Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, Department of Health, Schweiz Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Medical Faculty, Institute of Health, Midwifery and Nursing Science, Deutschland University of Bern, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Research, Bern, Schweiz

author Mersdorf Mersdorf Benedikt B

Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Medical Faculty, Institute of Health, Midwifery and Nursing Science, Deutschland University Hospital Augsburg, Emergency Department, Augsburg, Deutschland

author Pellegrino Pellegrino Melanie M

ETH Zürich, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Schweiz

author Meyer Meyer Gabriele G

Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Medical Faculty, Institute of Health, Midwifery and Nursing Science, Deutschland

author German Medical Science GMS Publishing House

Düsseldorf

610 20251030 engl This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Dieser Artikel ist ein Open-Access-Artikel und steht unter den Lizenzbedingungen der Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (Namensnennung). M0662 247 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Allgemeinmedizin und Familienmedizin Deutsche Gesellschaft für Sozialmedizin und Prävention Netzwerk Evidenzbasierte Medizin e.V. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Medizinische Soziologie 60. Kongress für Allgemeinmedizin und Familienmedizin Gesundheit gestalten Methoden der Gesundheitsforschung II Göttingen 20260930 20261002 V-45-02 TextBackground: Harvest plots are a graphical method for the presentation of complex and heterogeneous evidence in health-related evidence syntheses. Their design and use are not standardized.Aim/scientific question: To provide a systematic overview of the use and methodological characteristics of harvest plots in the context of health-related evidence syntheses.Material & Methods: We used a meta-research approach to capture existing research and publication practices. The study protocol was prospectively registered on Open Science Framework (10.17605/OSF.IO/75V6X). We included evidence syntheses on a health-related research question that used and reported a harvest plot for data analysis and synthesis. The search was carried out in PubMed and Embase. We performed a forward citation search of the original 2008 publication, in which the harvest plot was incepted. The selection and extraction of data was mainly carried out by one reviewer and double-checked by a second reviewer, with no formal quality assurance of the included studies.Results: We included 201 harvest plots to our analysis, published between 2008 and 2025. Study characteristics show that narrative harvest plot descriptions were mainly provided as part of the figure (n=191; 95%). The design of the studies that used a harvest plot was mainly a systematic review (n=186; 93%) including interventional (n=122; 61%) and observational (n=103; 51%) studies. The included harvest plots mainly provide information about intervention or exposure in the row (n=80; 40%), effect direction in the column (n=170; 85%). Bar color indicates mainly study quality (n=27; 13%) or outcome measurement (n=25; 12%). General top or bottom information mainly indicated a study reference (n=114; 57%).Discussion: Our results revealed large heterogeneity and a lack of standardization of the design, illustration, and characteristics when providing a harvest plot in health-related evidence synthesis. Methods guidance in combination with a digitalized tool or program code and reporting guidance may contribute to a higher degree of standardization and facilitate interpretation of harvest plots.Take Home Message: Although harvest plots are being increasingly used, their design varies widely. They are usually limited to just a few dimensions, such as the effect direction, intervention characteristics, and/or the study quality, even though the method offers more possibilities. There is an urgent need to harmonize and standardize through methodological guidance and reporting standard, preferably supported by digital tools.Competing interests: JH and GM authored publications eligible to this meta-research study. All authors declare no conflict of interest. 0 0 0 0