The increased uptake of evidence from systematic reviews is advocated because of their potential to improve the quality of patient care. However, research suggests that evidence from systematic reviews has not been widely adopted. Little is known about the factors that impact on systematic review uptake.

To identify how uptake of evidence from systematic reviews can be enhanced.

We searched 19 databases covering the full range of publication years, utilizing three search engines. Study selection Reports of strategies improving systematic review uptake were selected and evaluated according to the Effective Practice and Organisation of Care criteria.

Two reviewers independently assessed quality and extracted data from each outcome study.

Ten publications addressing interventions met inclusion criteria. Following a systematic review of these studies, a further broader synthesis of findings was carried out to determine the extent to which the identified interventions overcame already identified barriers and built on perceived facilitators.

Strategies such as targeted messaging, educational visits, and summaries, addressed a range of barriers and facilitators and are recommended to enhance uptake of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Promising approaches such as inactive workshops, e-learning programmes and computer-based approaches need to be developed further. New strategies need to be designed that address a number of identified but neglected barriers and facilitators. This review has added value. It addressed not just effectiveness but also appropriateness of knowledge uptake strategies. It allowed the development of an intervention to enhance evidence uptake in psychiatry.