Introduction to Cochrane Methodology Workshop - Athens, Greece

This is the seventh 2-day workshop organized in Athens, Greece. It is hosted by members (authors and editors) of the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group, and the Gynaecological, Neuro-oncology and Orphan Cancer Group.

This interactive course is addressed to clinicians, researchers, public health specialists and other healthcare professionals and the level of expertise required is intermediate and above. Its aim is to guide participants through the steps of developing a systematic review from the stage of protocol and thereafter, explicitly focused on methodology. 

It will offer web-based lectures and sessions (exercises on predefined items), providing plenty of opportunities to apply the methods and interact with the faculty.

The workshop will be led by a team who have extensive expertise in conducting systematic reviews and workshops.

Cochrane review authors who have a registered title, protocol, or review in The Cochrane Library will be highly encouraged to attend (during the second day a 3 hours session will be devoted to them, practicing in their own reviews).

Objectives: The workshop will provide an introduction on practical and methodological issues in preparing a Cochrane systematic review of the effects of interventions. Topics will include;

  • How to register a Cochrane title
  • Research question and PICO / Structure and importance of the protocol / determining scope and questions
  • Inclusion criteria and grouping for synthesis
  • Introduction to Cochrane tools (RevMan and Covidence)
  • Searches (electronic / platforms / dealing with missing data)
  • Risk of bias assessment
  • Data extraction and management
  • Collecting of data
  • Meta-analysis
  • Network meta-analysis
  • Assessment of heterogeneity
  • Subgroup and sensitivity analyses
  • GRADE / ‘Summary of findings' table
  • Interpreting the results

Format: The workshop will use a combination of lectures, worked examples, and plenary discussion. Participants will also be provided with a short reading list in advance of the workshop. The workshop will be taught in English.

Participant fee: 100 euros. Reduced fees will be applied to Pregraduate (50 euros) and Postgraduate and PhD students (70 euros). The workshop is free for authors of Cochrane reviews.

Venue: Online workshop through Webex platform, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

Preliminary program: Available here.

For further information, please email evivogiatzi@gmail.com or harrysiris@gmail.com