Skip to content

Faculty Member

Andrea Tricco MSc (Epidemiology), PhD (Population Health)

Email Address(es)
andrea.tricco(at)unityhealth.to
Office Phone
416-864-6060 x77521
Office Address
30 Bond Street Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8
Website(s)
Knowledge Translation Program of St. Michael's Hospital, Publications indexed in PubMed
Curriculum Vitae
Download
Division(s)/Institute(s)
Epidemiology Division
Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation
Position
Associate Professor
SGS Status
Full Member
Appointment Status
Status Only
Currently Accepting Doctoral Students?
Yes

Research Interests

My research program focuses on advancing the science of knowledge synthesis. Basing decisions on expert opinion or the results from one study can be misleading. Experts often recommend interventions that are ineffective and sometimes recommend interventions that are harmful. In addition, spurious or biased results may arise from a single study. Systematic reviews (or knowledge synthesis) focus on the totality of evidence and are the base unit of knowledge translation products, such as patient decision aids, policy briefs, and clinical practice guidelines. They are the cornerstone of evidence-informed practice.

My Canada Research Chair focuses on advancing methods and includes projects, such as extending the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) Statement to scoping reviews that was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine and a prospective quasi-experimental study to compare the results from rapid reviews and systematic reviews on the same topic (https://osf.io/986pc/). I co-lead projects related to enhancing methods for network meta-analysis, such as individual patient data network meta-analysis, incorporating dosages into network meta-analysis, and applying network meta-analysis to complex interventions.

Given my interest in rapid reviews, my research program also focuses on responding to the needs of decision-makers through knowledge synthesis. I have conducted knowledge synthesis at the international (World Health Organization), national (Health Canada), provincial (Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care), and local (Toronto Central Local Health Integrated Network) levels.

Education & Training History

  • PhD, 2009 Population Health, University of Ottawa
  • MSc, 2004 Epidemiology, University of Toronto
  • BHSc (Honours), 2002 Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario

Other Affiliations

Scientist and Director of the Knowledge Synthesis Team, Knowledge Translation Program of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto

Associate Professor, Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto

Co-Director of the Queen’s Collaboration for Health Care Quality Joanna Briggs Institute Centre of Excellence

Member, Editorial Board for BMC Medicine, Systematic Reviews, and JBI Evidence Synthesis

Co-Editor in Chief of the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

Primary Teaching Responsibilities

  • Instructor of elective course (introduction to knowledge synthesis for knowledge users)
  • Guest lecturer in Scientific Overviews in Epidemiology
  • Practicum placements for MPH students
  • Supervisor for PhD students

Honours & Awards

  • Member of the Royal Society of Canada, September 2021
  • Geoffrey R. Howe Distinguished Contributions Award, Canadian Society for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, May 2019
  • Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Knowledge Synthesis, July 2016 to June 2021, renewal July 2021 to June 2026
  • Early Researcher Award, June 2015 to May 2020, Ontario Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Science
  • New Investigator Award in Knowledge Synthesis, July 2012 to June 2016, Canadian Institutes of Health Research/Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network
  • Joseph De Koninck Doctoral Prize for the best interdisciplinary thesis at the PhD level, October 2009, University of Ottawa
  • Rising Star Award April 2009 to April 2010 Institute of Health Services and Policy Research Canadian Institutes of Health Research
  • Frederick Banting and Charles Best Doctoral Award, April 2007 to September 2009, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
  • Excellence Scholarship, September 2005 to September 2009, University of Ottawa
  • Mentor-Student Award in Neurotrauma Prevention, September 2002 to September 2004, Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation
  • Western Science Scholarship, September 1998 to September 1999, University of Western Ontario

Current Research Projects

Nominated Principal Investigator of the Strategic Patient-Oriented Research Evidence Alliance (SPOR) funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The Alliance is a pan-Canadian initiative with the potential to improve patient care through national coordination of knowledge synthesis, knowledge translation, implementation and clinical practice guidelines development. The Alliance was designed to promote evidence-informed healthcare and policy that is grounded in the principles of inclusion (all relevant stakeholders), diversity, integrated knowledge translation, co-creation of research, and transparency.

Advancing the science of knowledge synthesis with a focus on Scoping Reviews, Rapid Reviews, and Network Meta-analysis.

Representative Publications

Veroniki AA, Tricco AC, Watt J, Tsokani S, Khan PA, Soobiah C, Negm A, Doherty-Kirby A, Taylor P, Lunny C, McGowan J, Little J, Mallon P, Moher D, Wong S, Dinnes J, Takwoingi Y, Saxinger L, Chan A, Isaranuwatchai W, Lander B, Meyers A, Poliquin G, Straus SE. Rapid antigen-based and rapid molecular tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2: a rapid review with network meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies. BMC Med. 2023 Mar 29;21(1):110.

Munn Z, Pollock D, Barker TH, Stone J, Stern C, Aromataris E, Person A, Straus SE, Khalil H, Mustafa RA, Tricco AC, Schunemann HJ. The Dark Side of Rapid Reviews: A Retreat From Systematic Approaches and the Need for Clear Expectations and Reporting. Ann Intern Med. 2023 Feb;176(2):266-267.

Watt JA, Del Giovane C, Jackson D, Turner RM, Tricco AC, Mavridis D, Straus SE, Veroniki AA. Incorporating dose effects in network meta-analysis. BMJ. 2022 Jan 18;376:e067003. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2021-067003.

Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, Shamseer L, Tetzlaff JM, Akl EA, Brennan SE, Chou R, Glanville J, Grimshaw JM, Hróbjartsson A, Lalu MM, Li T, Loder EW, Mayo-Wilson E, McDonald S, McGuinness LA, Stewart LA, Thomas J, Tricco AC, Welch VA, Whiting P, Moher D. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 2021 Mar 29;372:n71. doi: 10.1136/bmj.n71.

Page MJ, Moher D, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, Shamseer L, Tetzlaff JM, Akl EA, Brennan SE, Chou R, Glanville J, Grimshaw JM, Hróbjartsson A, Lalu MM, Li T, Loder EW, Mayo-Wilson E, McDonald S, McGuinness LA, Stewart LA, Thomas J, Tricco AC, Welch VA, Whiting P, McKenzie JE. PRISMA 2020 explanation and elaboration: updated guidance and exemplars for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 2021 Mar 29;372:n160. doi: 10.1136/bmj.n160.

Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, Shamseer L, Tetzlaff JM, Akl EA, Brennan SE, Chou R, Glanville J, Grimshaw JM, Hróbjartsson A, Lalu MM, Li T, Loder EW, Mayo-Wilson E, McDonald S, McGuinness LA, Stewart LA, Thomas J, Tricco AC, Welch VA, Whiting P, Moher D. The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. PLoS Med. 2021 Mar 29;18(3):e1003583. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003583.

Watt JA, Goodarzi Z, Veroniki AA, Nincic V, Khan PA, Ghassemi M, Lai Y, Treister V, Thompson Y, Schneider R, Tricco AC, Straus SE. Comparative efficacy of interventions for reducing symptoms of depression in people with dementia: systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMJ. 2021 Mar 24;372:n532. doi: 10.1136/bmj.n532.

Zhang DDQ, Sussman J, Dossa F, Jivraj N, Ladha K, Brar S, Urbach D, Tricco AC, Wijeysundera DN, Clarke HA, Baxter NN. A Systematic Review of Behavioral Interventions to Decrease Opioid Prescribing After Surgery. Ann Surg. 2020 Feb;271(2):266-278.

Watt JA, Goodarzi Z, Veroniki AA, Nincic V, Khan PA, Ghassemi M, Thompson Y, Tricco AC, Straus SE. Comparative Efficacy of Interventions for Aggressive and Agitated Behaviors in Dementia: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 2019 Oct 15. doi: 10.7326/M19-0993.

Zhang DDQ, Dossa F, Arora A, Cusimano MC, Speller B, Little T, Ladha K, Brar S, Urbach DR, Tricco AC, Wijeysundera DN, Clarke HA, Baxter NN. Recommendations for the Prescription of Opioids at Discharge After Abdominopelvic Surgery: A Systematic Review. JAMA Surg. 2020 Mar 1;155(5):420-429. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2019.5875.

Tricco AC, Zarin W, Cardoso R, Veroniki AA, Khan PA, Nincic V, Ghassemi M, Warren R, Sharpe JP, Page AV, Straus SE. Efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of herpes zoster vaccines in adults aged 50 and older: systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMJ. 2018 Oct 25;363:k4029. doi: 10.1136/bmj.k4029.

Tricco AC, Lillie E, Zarin W, O’Brien KK, Colquhoun H, Levac D, Moher D, Peters MDJ, Horsley T, Weeks L, Hempel S, Akl EA, Chang C, McGowan J, Stewart L, Hartling L, Aldcroft A, Wilson MG, Garritty C, Lewin S, Godfrey CM, Macdonald MT, Langlois EV, Soares-Weiser K, Moriarty J, Clifford T, Tunçalp Ö, Straus SE. PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation. Ann Intern Med. 2018 Oct 2;169(7):467-473. doi: 10.7326/M18-0850.

Nikolakopoulou A, Mavridis D, Furukawa TA, Cipriani A, Tricco AC, Straus SE, Siontis GCM, Egger M, Salanti G. Living network meta-analysis compared with pairwise meta-analysis in comparative effectiveness research: empirical study. BMJ. 2018 Feb 28;360:k585. doi: 10.1136/bmj.k585.

Tricco AC, Thomas SM, Veroniki AA, Hamid JS, Cogo E, Strifler L, Khan PA, Robson R, Sibley KM, MacDonald H, Riva JJ, Thavorn K, Wilson C, Holroyd-Leduc J, Kerr GD, Feldman F, Majumdar SR, Jaglal SB, Hui W, Straus SE. Comparisons of Interventions for Preventing Falls in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. 2017 Nov 7; 318(17):1687-1699. doi: 10.1001/jama.2017.15006.

Zarin W, Veroniki AA, Nincic V, Vafaei A, Reynen E, Motiwala SS, Antony J, Sullivan SM, Rios P, Daly C, Ewusie J, Petropoulou M, Nikolakopoulou A, Chaimani A, Salanti G, Straus SE, Tricco AC. Characteristics and knowledge synthesis approach for 456 network meta-analyses: a scoping review. BMC Med. 2017 Jan 5;15(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s12916-016-0764-6.

Khoushhal Z, Hussain MA, Greco E, Mamdani M, Verma S, Rotstein O, Tricco AC, Al-Omran M. Prevalence and Causes of Attrition Among Surgical Residents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Surg. 2017 Mar 1;152(3)265-272. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2016.4086.

Page MJ, Shamseer L, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, Sampson M, Tricco AC, Catalá-López F, Li L, Reid EK, Sarkis-Onofre R, Moher D. Epidemiology and Reporting Characteristics of Systematic Reviews of Biomedical Research: A Cross-Sectional Study. PLoS Med. 2016 May 24;13(5):e1002028. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002028.

Tricco AC, Ashoor HM, Antony J, Beyene J, Veroniki AA, Isaranuwatchai W, Harrington A, Wilson C, Tsouros S, Soobiah C, Yu CH, Hutton B, Hoch JS, Hemmelgarn BR, Moher D, Majumdar SR, Straus SE. Safety, effectiveness, and cost effectiveness of long acting versus intermediate acting insulin for patients with type 1 diabetes: systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMJ. 2014 Oct 1;349:g5459. doi: 10.1136/bmj.g5459.

Tricco AC, Antony J, Ivers NM, Ashoor H, Kahn PA, Blondal E, Ghassemi M, MacDonald M, Chen MH, Kark Ezer L, Straus SE. Care coordination quality improvement strategies for frequent users of the healthcare system: A systematic review and meta-analysis. CMAJ. 2014 Oct 21;186(15):E568-78.

Wilcox ME, Chong CA, Stanbrook MB, Tricco AC, Wong C, Straus SE. Does this patient have an exudative pleural effusion? The rational clinical examination systematic review. JAMA. 2014 Jun 18;311(23):2422-31. doi: 10.1001/jama.2014.5552.

Tricco AC, Soobiah C, Berliner S, Ho JM, Ng CH, Ashoor HM, Chen MH, Hemmelgarn B, Straus SE. Efficacy and safety of cognitive enhancers for patients with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. CMAJ. 2013 Nov 5;185(16):1393-401.

Tricco AC, Ivers NM, Grimshaw JM, Moher D, Turner L, Galipeau J, Halperin I, Vachon B, Ramsay T, Manns B, Tonelli M, Shojania K. Effectiveness of quality improvement strategies on the management of diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2012 Jun 16;379(9833):2252-61. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60480-2.

Booth RA, Ansari MT, Loit E, Tricco AC, Weeks L, Doucette S, Skidmore B, Sears M, Sy R, Karsh J. Assessment of thiopurine S-methyltransferase activity in patients prescribed thiopurines: a systematic review. Ann Intern Med. 2011 Jun 21;154(12):814-23,W-295-8. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-154-12-201106210-00009.