Cochrane collaboration

An international network of researchers and healthcare professionals dedicated to systematic reviews of healthcare interventions

The Cochrane Collaboration is an international non-profit organization that aims to facilitate well-informed healthcare decisions by preparing, maintaining, and promoting the accessibility of systematic reviews of the effects of healthcare interventions. Founded in 1993, the Cochrane Collaboration is named after Archie Cochrane, a British epidemiologist who advocated for the use of evidence-based medicine.

History

The Cochrane Collaboration was established in response to the growing need for reliable, up-to-date information on the effects of healthcare interventions. The organization was named after Archie Cochrane, whose influential book, "Effectiveness and Efficiency: Random Reflections on Health Services," published in 1972, highlighted the importance of using evidence from randomized controlled trials to inform healthcare decisions.

Structure

The Cochrane Collaboration is composed of a network of researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, and others interested in health. It is organized into several groups, including Cochrane Review Groups, Methods Groups, Fields, and Networks. Each group focuses on specific areas of health or methodological approaches to systematic reviews.

Cochrane Reviews

Cochrane Reviews are systematic reviews of primary research in human health care and health policy. They are internationally recognized as the highest standard in evidence-based health care resources. Cochrane Reviews are published in the Cochrane Library, a collection of databases that provide high-quality information to inform healthcare decision-making.

Impact

The work of the Cochrane Collaboration has had a significant impact on healthcare policy and practice worldwide. Cochrane Reviews are used by healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients to make informed decisions about health interventions. The organization's commitment to transparency and rigor in research has helped to improve the quality of evidence available in the healthcare field.

Funding

The Cochrane Collaboration is funded by a variety of sources, including government grants, charitable donations, and income from the Cochrane Library. The organization maintains strict policies to ensure that its work is free from commercial influence.

Criticism

While the Cochrane Collaboration is widely respected, it has faced criticism over issues such as the accessibility of its reviews, the complexity of its methodologies, and the challenges of keeping reviews up-to-date. The organization continues to work on addressing these challenges to improve the utility and impact of its work.

Also see

• Evidence-based medicine
• Systematic review
• Randomized controlled trial
• Meta-analysis
• Archie Cochrane