In the previous module, we discussed something of the need for systematic reviews. In this module we'll look at what has been done to meet this need, and in particular we'll find out something about the Cochrane Collaboration

The Cochrane Collaboration

This international organization has evolved in response to the need for systematic reviews. It exists with the aim of preparing, maintaining and promoting the accessibility of systematic reviews of the effects of health care interventions.

Most importantly, the Cochrane Collaboration is a network of people - individuals, not institutions. Its success or failure depends on these individuals. Most are working voluntarily on this project in a spirit of collaboration.

It's also important to note that the Cochrane Collaboration has limited its remit to reviews of the effects of health care interventions, so it is not attempting to address questions about the causes of disease, the identification of disease with diagnostic tests, or the natural history of disease.

For more information about the history, structure and objectives of the Cochrane Collaboration, read the Cochrane Collaboration Brochure.

The Cochrane Collaboration today

The Cochrane Collaboration has grown rapidly since its launch in 1993. There are now 14 Cochrane Centres around the world, and 49 review groups which cover most of health care. The infrastructure to accomplish the Collaboration's mission is now pretty much in place.

Currently, new reviews are being published on The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews at the rate of about 300 each year. Although this is good, there are plenty more reviews left to do, and we need to make sure the quality remains high and continues to improve over the coming years.

You can find up to date information about the Cochrane Collaboration on one of its websites, and also on The Cochrane Library. This is a quarterly electronic publication, containing a wealth of information about the effects of health care interventions. Now would be a good time to find out how to access The Cochrane Library, and have a look at the Cochrane Collaboration website. It can be found at:

www.cochrane.org

Now complete the Activity on the left.

Finding your way round the Cochrane Collaboration

In the Cochrane Collaboration Brochure, you read something of the structure of the organisation. At first, the structure can be a bit daunting. This is because the task of co-ordinating an international effort like this is complicated, as you can imagine

People preparing reviews as part of the Cochrane Collaboration are linked to a Collaborative Review Group, which covers the health problem of interest. For example, if you're interested in an intervention for people with strokes, you would work with the Cochrane Stroke Group, based in Edinburgh, UK.

So the first step is for you to decide what topics interest you. When you have thought this through, and decided that you really want to work in a particular area, there are two ways to find out which review group you need to talk to. The first is to contact your local Cochrane Centre and discuss it with the staff there. They will be able to put you in touch with review groups, but will not be able to help you decide what you are interested in.

The other way is to look through the list of review groups, either at the website (follow the links 'contact details for Cochrane groups' and 'collaborative review groups') or by looking at The Cochrane Library (in the top part of the main screen, double click on 'About the Cochrane Collaboration' and then on 'Collaborative Review Groups' to find an alphabetical list of groups with information about each). If using the internet version, the links are in the left hand side of the screen.

If it is not obvious which review group your topic will belong to, your local Cochrane Centre will help, or you can search for words on The Cochrane Library and see which groups are identified in your search. While you are on The Cochrane Library, find out which is your local Cochrane Centre. Double click on 'About the Cochrane Collaboration' and then on 'Centres'. It may be obvious from looking through the list which is your local Centre (there may be one in your country). If not, use the Search window and enter the name of your country. Every country is linked to a Cochrane Centre, and you can look to see which Centre includes your country in its entry in The Cochrane Library.

You'll need to get in touch with the appropriate review group who will check how your interests might overlap with other work in the group, to make sure that you aren't planning work that has already been done. There is usually a bit of discussion about exactly what the topic you want to take on will be, what help you might need, and what help the group can offer you.

What if I don't have access to The Cochrane Library?

Why not ask your local library to arrange access? Tell them to go to the Cochrane website and click on 'The Cochrane Library' to find out how to do it. But if you don't have access to The Cochrane Library, either your review group or your local Cochrane Centre will help you find your way round the Cochrane Collaboration.