

3 The gap between updates may lead to the uncertainty of evidence recommendation. 2 In general, SRs are not updated or are only updated irregularly. However, SR and MA have limitations, such as the time lag in incorporating the latest clinical evidence, which reduces the accuracy and usefulness, and some subjects are not continuously maintained and followed up. 1 Systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis (MA) have bridged the gap between original research and clinical practice, narrowing the gap between evidence and practice. Over the past 30 years, the field of evidence-based medicine (EBM) has developed a series of evidence synthesis approaches to base all health decisions on the best available evidence. However, the possible differences and contradictory research results often confuse clinical caregivers, who invest in various kinds of research and fail to get their due return. Health-based clinical research is a crucial driver of human health and well-being.

4 Department of Health Research Methods Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.3 School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.2 Evidence-Based Medicine Center, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.

1 School of Nursing, Evidence-Based Nursing Center, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
