Consumers

Healthcare consumers and consumer advocates make an important contribution to The Cochrane Collaboration. On this page you'll find some introductory resources to help you get started. More information and support, as well as a network of fellow consumers interested in evidence-informed health care and systematic reviews, are avaialble from the Cochrane Consumer Network (CCNet).

What is evidence-based health care?

• Understanding Evidence-based Healthcare: A Foundation for Action
  This web course has been created by the United States Cochrane Center as part of a project undertaken by Consumers United for Evidence-based Healthcare (CUE), and is designed to help consumer advocates understand the fundamentals of evidence-based healthcare concepts and skills. Registration is open and free of charge.

What is The Cochrane Collaboration, and what are systematic reviews?

• What is The Cochrane Collaboration?
  This presentation introduces The Cochrane Collaboration, systematic reviews and The Cochrane Library.

• YourHealthNet: Navigating effective treatments with systematic reviews
  This website explains evidence-based health research and systematic reviews in a user-friendly way. YourHealthNet is developed by the Centre for Health Communication and Participation, home of the Cochrane Consumers and Communication Review Group, at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia.

• Lay health worker programmes for mother and child health and tuberculosis
  This video shows an example of the results of a Cochrane systematic review, evaluating the effects of lay health workers on health outcomes - a particularly important question for low- and middle-income countries.

• How to use The Cochrane Library
  On this page you'll find user guides in a range of languages, interactive training webinars and more.

How can consumers get involved?

• The Consumer Network
  In this video, CCNet members explain how they work together to improve healthcare.

• Consumer orientation (pdf)
  This document provides an introduction to the role of the consumer in the Cochrane Collaboration. It is relevant for consumers who are interested in participating in the review process.

• Commenting on Cochrane reviews (doc)
  Consumer referees provide comments on draft Cochrane systematic reviews, both at the early planning stage, and at the final drafting stage. This is an important way to make sure that Cochrane reviews address the needs and priorities of consumers. We have a short guide for those new to the Collaboration who would like to start commenting on Cochrane reviews.
  A checklist (doc) is also available to guide your feedback.

• Preparing plain language summaries (doc)
  Every Cochrane systematic review includes a short summary of its findings in plain language. Consumers are often asked to assist in drafting these summaries, to make sure they are clear and easy to understand. We have a short guide to help you when asked to comment on or prepare a summary, so that you have a better understanding of the process and requirements.

Remember, if you'd like more information and support, and to make contact with other consumers, find out more from the Cochrane Consumer Network (CCNet).