Cochrane for Practice
The most complete source of Cochrane reviews is The Cochrane Library. To help access to Cochrane reviews by practitioners, Listed below are tools based on Cochrane reviews tailored to specific health professional groups or that cluster reviews by clinical topic. These tools are highlighted in each issue of the CCNC’s quarterly e-bulletin, Relay Cochrane!
Tools by clinical topic
Back pain
Physicians in Ontario are working together to improve the management of acute and chronic low back pain and to reduce unnecessary lumbar spine X-rays in primary care settings.
The POCKET Network was created as part of a project by the Guidelines Advisory Committee on back pain to develop tools that are useful to family physicians and patients. The Cochrane Back Group is collaborating with the Network and Cochrane reviews are an important source of the evidence.
Tools include: summaries of clinical evidence for acute and chronic back pain, a prescription pad, patient handbook, a ‘Yellow and Red Flags Pocket Card and more.
See www pocketdocs.ca to access tools, get involved and provide feedback.
Hypertension
The Cochrane Hypertension Group and the Therapeutics Initiative are launching an online education initiative designed to help raise visibility, encourage dialogue and dispel myths around current clinical hot-topics, beginning with hypertension.
Currently in beta development, there are two versions being designed for multi-platform and multi-device support: ROTR professional & ROTR personal.
The Research-on-the-Run professional series is being designed for active medical professionals who are on-the-go. These short, easy to digest modules will be easily accessed through a website or downloaded to PC, Mac or PDA.
The Research-on-the-Run personal edition is designed for the general public, allowing medical practitioners to refer their patients to less technically intensive versions designed to reach large audiences.
To view a sample beta module, visit: http://www.ti.ubc.ca/rotr/.
Stroke
StrokEngine is a free, evidence-based website about stroke rehabilitation interventions with information tailored for stroke patients and loved ones, clinicians, and policy makers. Established by McGill University, researchers gather evidence from multiple sources, including Cochrane reviews, and update it every six months.
www.medicine.mcgill.ca/strokengine
An e-learning module is also available for clinicians at http://elearning.strokengine.org/.
Tools by patient group
Seniors
The Health of Older People Project: Current best evidence from Cochrane systematic reviews which relate to the health care of older people is now available as a ‘one stop shop’ thanks to the work of a group of researchers in Glasgow. A searchable database provides a concise account of the evidence on common health problems (i.e., continence, falls etc.) and different models of service organization (i.e., acute care, long-term) related to older people.
Visit www.effectiveolderpeoplecare.org
Children
Although Cochrane is most known for its high quality systematic reviews, part of Cochrane’s mandate is to search for evidence in the form of clinical trials and other studies of interventions. The searchable Child Health Field’s Trial Register from Cochrane is the most comprehensive database of published, pediatric clinical trials available.
Tools by health profession
Dental Hygienists
The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association launched a ‘Cochrane Corner’ on their website to provide direct access to Cochrane reviews for their members. Brief summaries of Cochrane reviews relevant to dental hygiene and information about Cochrane and relevant Review Groups is available. Check Research Resources in the Members section at www.cdha.ca.
Dietitians
A new web-based tool has the potential to change the way dietetic practitioners provide health care to their patients. PEN (Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition) is the latest interactive resource designed exclusively for professionals by the Dietitians of Canada with the help of knowledge transfer experts and volunteer dietitians. Cochrane reviews are a significant contribution to this innovative decision-support service.
PEN provides evidence-based research on four categories: population health, diseases and conditions, food and nutrition, and professional practice. Dietitians can quickly and easily find research guides, client education handouts, key practice points, and much more.
Visit: www.dieteticsatwork.com/pen
Physicians
Designed for practitioners, a Cochrane P.E.A.R.L.S. (practical evidence about real life situations) is a one page summary of a Cochrane Review relevant to primary care. The Cochrane Primary Care Field sends out two P.E.A.R.L.S. every two weeks at no charge. To subscribe to P.E.A.R.L.S, email Bruce Arroll at b.arroll doesnotexist@cochrane.org auckland.ac.nz.
Co-publishing agreement with CMAJ - attention Cochrane authors!
The CCNC has reached a co-publishing agreement with the Canadian Medical Association Journal for shortened versions of Cochrane reviews. CMAJ is accepting submissions of versions of Cochrane Reviews for simultaneous publication with the release of each issue of the Cochrane Library. These versions should be about 3000 words and will give full reference to the original review published in The Cochrane Library. If you would like more information about the process please click here. If you wish to have your review considered by the CMAJ, please contact Paul Hebert, Editor in Chief with the topic and timelines for your review.
Speech language pathologists and audiologists
The Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists launched a ‘Cochrane Corner’ on their website to provide direct access to Cochrane reviews for their members. Brief summaries of relevant Cochrane reviews and information about Cochrane and relevant Review Groups is available. Check the Members only section. http://www.caslpa.ca/english/members/login.asp.