Lara J. Maxwell

PhD

Affiliate Investigator

Senior Methodologist

Ottawa Centre for Health Equity, University of Ottawa

About:

Lara Maxwell, PhD, is a senior methodologist with the Campbell and Cochrane Health Equity Methods Group based at the Ottawa Centre for Health Equity, University of Ottawa. She obtained her PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Split, Croatia and her MSc in Epidemiology from the University of Ottawa. Her prior key roles include Managing Editor of Cochrane Musculoskeletal, supporting and conducting systematic reviews of interventions for musculoskeletal conditions, and Senior Methodologist with OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology), developing guidance on core outcome set development.

Maxwell’s research focuses on advancing evidence synthesis and guideline development methodology, with a particular emphasis on health equity. Her interests include the replication of systematic reviews, methodological innovation in the integration of equity considerations into systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines, and the application of the GRADE approach to improve the quality, transparency, and relevance of health recommendations. She is also engaged in research that supports meaningful interest holder engagement and the translation of evidence into practice and policy. She actively contributes to methodological networks and equity-focused research communities in Canada and internationally.

Research Interests:

Health equity, systematic reviews, clinical practice guidelines, knowledge translation.

Select Publications:

Karran E, Cashin A, Barker T, Boyd M, Chiarotto A, Maxwell LJ. Developing consensus on the most important equity-relevant items to include in pain research: a modified e-Delphi study. Pain.

Lotfi T, Welch V, Pardo JPP, Petkovic J, Treweek S, Darzi AJ, Glover R, Devane D, Viswanathan M, Mbuagbaw L, Pottie K, Kristjansson E, Sayfi S, Maxwell LJ, Magwood O, Francis D. Equity in evidence synthesis: You can't play on broken strings. Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods.

Maxwell LJ, Wright GC, Schultz G, Grosskleg S, Barton JL, Campbell W. Embracing unity at OMERACT: Valuing equity, promoting diversity, fostering inclusivity. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism.

Maxwell LJ, Jones C, Bingham CO, Boers M, Boonen A, Choy E. Defining domains: developing consensus-based definitions for foundational domains in OMERACT core outcome sets. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism.

Johnston BC, Patrick DL, Devji T, Maxwell LJ, Bingham III CO, Beaton D, Boers M, Briel M, Busse JW, Carrasco-Labra A, Christensen R, da Costa BR, El Dib R, Lyddiatt A, Ostelo RW, Shea B, Singh J, Terwee CB, Williamson PR, Gagnier JJ, Tugwell P, Guyatt GH. Chapter 18: Patient-reported outcomes. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.

Contact:

lmaxwell@uottawa.ca

Learn more at The Ottawa Centre for Health Equity or Cochrane Methods Equity.