Monday, April 17, 2023

Cochrane's flagship event, the Cochrane Colloquium,  brings together anyone with an interest in the use of evidence in healthcare decision-making to learn, collaborate, and network. The impact of the Cochrane Colloquium goes beyond the scientific program. For many attendees, it is a life-changing experience that inspires them, connects them with like-minded individuals, and broadens their perspectives.

We already collect stories from the Cochrane Community about how they got involved with Cochrane. This edition of  #MyCochraneStory invites anyone who attended a past Cochrane Colloquium to share their personal stories and reflections on the event. Whether you have a favourite Colloquium moment, a connection you made,  or something you're proud of presenting  - we want to hear from you! 

To share your #MyCochraneStory please contact Lydia Parsonson - lparsonson@cochrane.org - with the following:

• 1-4 photos from past Colloquiums. Please provide a caption for each photo you share. We'll be sharing them as a collage in the news item but may like to share them individually with some context on social media. 
• Your country of residence: Our community is diverse and we want to celebrate this!
• Your Cochrane Story: We want to hear about what your favourite Colloquium memories are and what you think makes the event memorable. 
• Social media handles: We will give your Twitter or Instagram account a tag; just let us know your handles!

Top-left: Cochrane Rehabilitation in Cape Town. Middle: Cochrane Rehabilitation dinner in Edinburgh. Top-right: Cochrane Rehabilitation spaghetti dinner in our Cape Town apartment. Bottom-left: Cochrane Rehabilitation approved by the Governing Board in Seoul. Bottom-right: On the hotel roof terrace during the curfew in Santiago de Chile.

Prof. Stefano Negrini – “Cochrane Rehabilitation was approved at the colloquium in Seoul where Carlotte Kiekens and I participated. Since the start we have been a global collaboration and many representatives from Cochrane Rehabilitation can meet almost exclusively at Colloquia. It’s a great time for us to meet, learn, talk business and have some fun. The days of the Colloquium are filled with meetings, interesting sessions, lots of learning, and networking with new people. And in the evenings we find time to connect with the colleagues of our group and old friends! Beyond the many other moments with Fields representatives and other Cochrane friends, the highlights of Cochrane Rehabilitation included having a Spaghetti dinner in our apartment in Cape Town and going out for dinner together in Edinburgh. Our team is counting down the days to London and looking forward to see you there!”

Richard Morley - "Patients, caregivers and the public (what Cochrane calls consumers) are an integral part of the Cochrane...as well at the Colloquium! I remember the first Patients Included certified event in Edinburgh, and it was an incredibly meaningful and special experience for everyone involved. Patients, advocates, and caregivers felt truly included, and attendees were able to see the direct impact of their work. It's with great pride that I share that this year's Colloquium will be a Patients Included certified event for the second time. This means that patients and caregivers will be actively involved in shaping the program, and that their perspectives and needs will be fully considered throughout the event. It's a true testament to Cochrane's commitment to putting patients at the centre of everything we do, and I can't wait to see the positive impact it will have on all attendees!"

Sabrina Khamissa - "As Cochrane's Event Support Officer, what strikes me most about the Colloquium is the personal touches the host organizing team adds to make it special. From traditional dances to local cuisine, the team highlights the host country's culture, making the event more than just a typical academic conference. This year, I'm excited to see the small details the team has added to decrease the conference's environmental impact, such as venue choice and offering vegetarian food options. The Cochrane Colloquium is a unique opportunity to connect with the evidence synthesis community, learn from experts, and be part of an event that values diversity and sustainability."

Roses Parker - "My first and only Cochrane Colloquium was Santiago in 2019, and I’m still benefiting from the relationships I built there. The program is impressive and deciding what not to go to will be the most difficult thing. As Cochrane's new Commissioning Editor, I am attracted to anything with an equity focus as well as having an interest in priority setting, and stakeholder engagement sessions.  I’m excited to meet my team face-to-face as we’ve not had that opportunity so far. There have been many people I’ve already collaborated with but never met in person. And of course, I’m looking forward to meeting new people too and forging relationships that will support my role in the future.”

Muriah Umoquit - "In 2015, I attended my first Cochrane Colloquium in Vienna with the expectation of a typical academic conference. But I was pleasantly surprised by the unique and inspiring experience that awaited me! From the large plenary sessions to smaller research presentations and poster halls, each Colloquium has something for everyone. More than that, it provides opportunities to connect with experts in evidence synthesis, feel part of the Cochrane Community, and engage in social activities that showcase the host country's culture. As a remote worker, I found it meaningful to connect with people whom I normally only exchange emails with or tag on social media. Everyone is enthusiastic, friendly, and proud to contribute to Cochrane's important work. The Anne Anderson Walk is a beloved tradition that I look forward to at each Colloquium. It's an event where we tour the host city, have some social time, and raise money for the special Anne Anderson Prize. If you're looking for a conference that's more than just another ordinary event, the Cochrane Colloquium in London this year is not to be missed!"

 To share your #MyCochraneStory, please contact Lydia Parsonson - lparsonson@cochrane.org - with the following:

• 1-4 photos from past Colloquiums. Please provide a caption for each photo you share. We'll be sharing them as a collage in the news item but may like to share them individually with some context on social media. 
• Your country of residence: Our community is diverse and we want to celebrate this!
• Your Cochrane Story: We want to hear about what your favourite Colloquium memories are and what you think makes the event memorable.
  Social media handles: We will give your Twitter or Instagram account a tag; just let us know your handles!

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Registration is open for the Cochrane Colloquium, which will take place in London from 4th to 6th September 2023, with satellite events on 3rd September. Cochrane is offering stipends and bursaries to help cover travel and accommodation costs for those who might otherwise be unable to attend, including participants from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

The Colloquium will provide an opportunity for individuals to network with other like-minded professionals, share knowledge and expertise, and engage in discussions around evidence-based healthcare. Cochrane believes that by offering these stipends and bursaries, it will be able to attract a diverse group of participants, who will bring with them a range of perspectives and experiences that will enrich the event. 

We spoke to Sabrina Khamissa, Cochrane’s Event Support Officer, about Colloquium stipends and bursaries.

What inspired Cochrane to offer stipends and bursaries for individuals from low- and middle-income countries to attend the Colloquium?

“Cochrane is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within its network and recognizes the importance of making its events accessible to individuals from all backgrounds. The organization understands that individuals from low and middle-income countries may face financial barriers that prevent them from attending the Colloquium and wants to help alleviate those barriers by offering stipends and bursaries. This is a long tradition at Cochrane and we have been offering this for many years.

We are also delighted to have TDR sponsor a limited number of bursaries. TDR is the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, and is a global programme of scientific collaboration that helps facilitate, support and influence efforts to combat diseases of poverty. It is co-sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO).”

How will Cochrane ensure that the stipends and bursaries are distributed fairly and equitably?

“Cochrane has set out clear criteria for eligibility for the stipends and bursaries, and the LMIC Stipend Committee will assess applications based on those criteria. The committee is made up of members who reside in low- or middle-income countries or who are familiar with the practical issues and challenges faced by applicants. They will be mindful of ensuring that the stipends and bursaries are distributed fairly and equitably and will prioritize applicants who demonstrate a clear interest in evidence-based healthcare and who are members of the Cochrane network.”

What kind of activities can attendees expect at the Colloquium?

“Attendees can expect to engage in a range of activities, including interactive sessions, presentations, and workshops. The Colloquium will provide an opportunity for individuals to network with other like-minded professionals, share knowledge and expertise, and engage in discussions around evidence-based healthcare. It’s an excellent opportunity to tap into the global network of Cochrane colleagues! I am personally excited for the social evening event we are planning and the ‘take a break’ floor – there are lots of small touches that are going to make this a unique event for everyone to enjoy!

Check out this video from May Loong Tan. She received a stipend to attend the 2018 Colloquium and shares her experience.”

 How does Cochrane hope that attendees from low- and middle-income countries will contribute to the Colloquium?

“Cochrane’s global network is made up of 50+ countries. Cochrane believes that by promoting the attendance of individuals from low- and middle-income countries, it will bring a range of perspectives and experiences that will enrich the event and will help to foster a more diverse and inclusive community of individuals committed to evidence-based healthcare.” 

If you are interested in attending the Cochrane Colloquium and would like to apply for a stipend or bursary, please visit the Colloquium website for more information and to submit your applications soon! We look forward to welcoming you to London in September 2023!

Friday, April 14, 2023

 At Cochrane, we aim to collaborate and create reliable synthesized evidence, making it accessible to all. We are dedicated to promoting access and the widest possible dissemination of our valuable evidence.

We're now making some big improvements to help continue that mission, by changing the way we share the data that is associated with Cochrane Reviews. Making data available to everyone is at the heart of our core principles. It opens opportunities for collaboration, reduces research waste, makes systematic reviewing more efficient, and ensures transparency and quality.

We are confident that these changes will improve the systematic review process by enabling easier re-use of data across Cochrane Reviews, meaning less time and effort being duplicated. It will also make it easier for users and decision-makers to access and examine the relevant data they need and use it to impact policy.

"I am confident that improving how we share data will appeal to our community of rigorous, passionate researchers. By embracing these new changes, we can to maximise the benefits from the investment in developing Cochrane Reviews, for both authors and users of our evidence .”

- Ella Flemyng, Cochrane Editorial Product Lead

 

“This is a really exciting milestone for Cochrane. This new data format facilitates data re-use, not only in RevMan but other tools too, such as Excel and different statistical packages. It also opens up opportunities for how we can use the data to innovate to best meet our stakeholder needs."

- Gert van Valkenhoef, Head of IT Development and Infrastructure

 Summary: 

• Cochrane is changing the way we share data in a bid to promote collaboration, reduce research waste and ensure quality by making Cochrane Review data more accessible. 
• From 25 April, data associated with Cochrane Reviews can be downloaded from RevMan Web in standard formats, such as CSV and RIS.
• This new data package will include not only analysis data but also all other data associated with the Review related to the included studies, risk of bias assessments, and references.
• As Reviews with this data package are published, it will increase the impact of Cochrane’s Reviews and allow researchers, policymakers, practitioners and others to access and use Cochrane evidence more easily.
• We plan to continue making changes and improvements to pave the way for further innovation, with the potential to improve evidence and patient care.

 What is changing?

From 25 April, changes to RevMan Web mean that authors will be able to download all available data files associated with a Cochrane Review in user-friendly formats like CSV and RIS. These downloadable files will include the Review's analyses data, along with other data associated with the Review - such as study characteristics, study data, risk of bias data and references. But that’s not all – once published, readers of the Cochrane Library will also be able to explore the data associated with the Review. All you have to do is select the 'Download statistical data' option on published Reviews and you'll have all the information you need at your fingertips.

Going forward, this data package will be available with new publications on the Cochrane Library under the same license as the associated Review (‘green’ or ‘gold’). This will of course be reassessed as part of Cochrane’s commitment to move to full open access by 2025.

For Cochrane Reviews published before this change, a conversion service will be available to convert the current downloadable RevMan 5 analyses files into the standard, easily reusable format.

What does it mean for you? 

Authors: We believe these changes are good news for Cochrane authors because they mean that your published Reviews are going to have an even bigger impact. According to extensive research, sharing data leads to increased visibility, usage and impact of your research. This will help your hard work be seen and heard by everyone out there. We also know from our funders that better data sharing is increasingly becoming a key requirement in this area. And this way, RevMan automatically structures and organizes the data so you don’t have to.

Readers and end users: Unlocking data and information has now been made even easier for our users by our new shareable data. With our more streamlined and accessible Reviews, researchers, policymakers, practitioners and other user groups are now able to find the information they need to make impactful decisions.

What’s next?

With this new approach, we aim to make reusing Cochrane Reviews more efficient and effective. Our mission is to increase the visibility and discovery of research data, promote transparency and ensure our information and data can be reproduced. It is the start of Cochrane’s journey towards FAIR principles - Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reuse - of data, which will open up new opportunities for how we can innovate with Cochrane evidence.

Further information:

• Data sharing editorial policy on the Cochrane Library
• Cochrane's FAQs on data sharing
• This is a fundamental step and is all about sharing reusable data so we can pave the way for improved evidence and patient care, as described in Cochrane’s  Linked Data Project

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Monday, April 3, 2023

Monday, March 27, 2023

On the 20th June 2019, Cochrane members published an overview review in the PAIN Journal on the efficacy of pharmacological interventions for children with chronic pain and cancer-related pain (https://bit.ly/2MMm5UH). The overview summarises the evidence from 23 systematic reviews, including several Cochrane Library reviews from our NIHR Programme Grant (https://papas.cochrane.org/nihr-programme-grant-2014-17). This work also builds on a policy workshop we held in 2018 focussing on this topic (https://bit.ly/2RGOGcK).

 

The overview highlights the lack of available evidence across all drugs aimed at relieving pain in children (just 6 trials of 393 participants). Therefore, we have launched a large dissemination plan to share these findings. We are publishing articles, blogs, newsletters, videos, and co-ordinating a social media campaign to help us start a conversation about the importance of evidence production in children’s pain.

 

We thank everyone who has contributed to this important piece of work. Please do feel free to use these links and distribute them widely to help us improve the science, policy and practice of paediatric pain management.

 

 

Resources

 

• Open access overview in PAIN: https://bit.ly/2MMm5UH and commentary via Ovid

 

• Cochrane Special Collection: https://bit.ly/2IM11ta

 

• Cochrane editorial: https://bit.ly/2YgN5N0

 

• Blogs on this evidence base (or its absence)
  • Pharmacotherapy for treating chronic pain in children: A need for pragmatic idealism; Thomas 2020: https://doi.org/10.1111/pan.13781 (download pdf here)
  • Body in Mind blog https://bit.ly/2Flwtwe
  • The Conversation https://bit.ly/2YeBfmI (also shared on Yahoo News here; and IOL here; and MENAFN here)
  • Evidently Cochrane https://bit.ly/2IPzerQ
  • Press release from University of Bath https://bit.ly/2LjwLYp

 

• Supporting videos
  • Dr Emma Fisher’s summary on YouTube https://bit.ly/2RDldjA
  • University of Bath video summary https://twitter.com/UniofBath/status/1143800625764999169
  • PAIN Journal Editor’s Pick video https://bit.ly/2X7HEUh

 

• Summary of the  impact story so far (2019): https://bit.ly/2ITbzXz

 

• Key people to follow on Twitter (hashtag #timeforchange)
  • @Chris_Eccleston
  • @EmmaFisher1
  • @cochranecollab
  • @CochraneUK
  • @CochraneLibrary
  • @UniofBath

 

Other external links

• Somerset Live: Bath Hospital Trust supports study into drug treatment of chronic pain in children (here)
• Medical Xpress: Researchers reveal lack of evidence for drugs prescribed to treat chronic pain in children (here)
• News Medical (Life Sciences): Are Chronic Pain Relief Drugs for Children Effective? (here; also on Medicine News Line here; linked to via BioPortfolio here; and on herenciageneticayenfermedad here); and Study reveals lack of evidence for pediatric drugs prescribed to treat chronic pain (here)
• American News Report: Lack of evidence for drugs prescribed to treat chronic pain in children (here)
• EurekAlert: Researchers reveal lack of evidence for drugs prescribed to treat chronic pain in children (here)
• 7th Space: Researchers reveal lack of evidence for drugs prescribed to treat chronic pain in children (here)
• Newswise: Researchers reveal lack of evidence for drugs prescribed to treat chronic pain in children (here)
• Physical Therapy Products: Chronic Pain in Kids Needs to Be Studied More, Researchers Urge (here)
• The Independent: Children’s pain is under-researched (here - scroll down to end of page)
• Technology.org: Researchers reveal lack of evidence for drugs prescribed to treat chronic pain in children (here)
• BBC 1 West - BBC London News (here; here; here)
• BBC Bristol (here)
• Health Canal: Researchers reveal lack of evidence for drugs prescribed to treat chronic pain in children (here)
• Europa Press: in Spanish (here and here)
• The Courier & Advertiser Fife edition: Pain relief for children called into question (here - Press Reader account required)
• Health Medicine Network: Researchers reveal lack of evidence for drugs prescribed to treat chronic pain in children (here)
• ScienMag: Researchers Reveal Lack Of Evidence For Drugs Prescribed To Treat Chronic Pain In Children (here)
• Science Codex: Researchers reveal lack of evidence for drugs prescribed to treat chronic pain in children (here)
• Bioengineer.org: Researchers Reveal Lack Of Evidence For Drugs Prescribed To Treat Chronic Pain In Children (here)
• Bright Surf: Researchers reveal lack of evidence for drugs prescribed to treat chronic pain in children (here)

  The story continues...

In 2020, Professor Christopher Eccleston, Dr Emma Fisher, and others produced The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health Commission’s report to address paediatric pain and recommend what more can be done to help children and young people: https://www.thelancet.com/commission/paediatric-pain

More links related to the Lancet launch in October 2020:

• Versus Arthritis news
• University of Bath press announcement
• The New York Times: Respecting Children’s Pain
• Artist Shaniah Barry - You can't see my pain
• Video Abstract: Delivering transformative action in paediatric pain
• The Lancet: Paediatric pain management in low-income and middle-income countries
• Follow on Twitter @LancetChildAdol
• Dalhousie University news

 

And continues...

In December 2020, the WHO published Guidelines on the management of chronic pain in children: access here.

Our Cochrane Reviews contributed to the guideline and Dr Emma Fisher led the review of effectiveness.

Overview (taken from the guideline)

In these guidelines, the World Health Organization (WHO) provides evidence-informed recommendations for the management of chronic pain in children. The recommendations are based on the most current, high-quality scientific evidence, and were formulated following processes and using methods that meet the highest international standards for guideline development. The recommendations in this guideline are based on systematic reviews of the evidence on benefits, harms, acceptability and feasibility, as well as on equity and resource considerations. The recommendations were formulated by the Guideline Development Group, consisting of individuals with diverse expertise and experiences and with global representation. 

The purpose of this guideline is to assist WHO Member States and their partners in developing and implementing national and local policies, regulations, pain management protocols and best practices. It will help countries balance concerns about ensuring access to appropriate therapies for pain relief with the harms arising from misuse of medications and other potential adverse effects of interventions for pain management. 

These guidelines focus on physical, psychological and pharmacological interventions for the management of primary and secondary chronic pain in children 0 to 19 years of age.

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Specifications: Maternity cover (12 months)
Salary:  £49,000 per annum
Location: UK or Denmark (based in either the London or Copenhagen office)
Directorate: Publishing and Technology
Closing date: April 06 2023
 
Cochrane is an international charity. For 30 years we have responded to the challenge of making vast amounts of research evidence useful for informing decisions about health. We do this by synthesising research findings and our work has been recognised as the international gold standard for high quality, trusted information.

Cochrane's strength is in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane's strength is in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane's members and supporters come from more than 190 countries. Though we are spread out across the globe, our shared passion for health evidence unites us. Our Central Executive Team supports this work and is divided into five directorates: Evidence Production and Methods, Publishing and Technology, Development, and Finance and Corporate Services.

The Product Owner (PO) ensures that the Scrum team works efficiently on stories that maximize value for Cochrane in an agile development process, and is primarily focusing on the development of the new web-based Cochrane review authoring tool RevMan.

Don’t have every single qualification? We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job unless they are a perfect match. At Cochrane, we’re not looking for “perfect matches.” We’re looking to welcome people to our diverse, inclusive, and passionate workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but don’t have every single qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. Whether it’s this role or another one, you may be just the right candidate.

Our organization is built on four core values: Collaboration: Underpins everting we do, locally and globally. Relevant: The right evidence at the right time in the right format. Integrity: Independent and transparent. Quality: Reviewing and improving what we do, maintaining rigour and trust.  

You can expect: 

• An opportunity to truly impact health globally  
• A flexible work environment  
• A comprehensive onboarding experiences
• An environment where people feel welcome, heard, and included, regardless of their differences

Cochrane welcomes applications from a wide range of perspectives, experiences, locations and backgrounds; diversity, equity and inclusion are key to our values.

How to apply

• For further information on the role and how to apply, please click here.
• The deadline to receive your application is 6th April, 2023.
• The supporting statement should indicate why you are applying for the post, and how far you meet the requirements, using specific examples. 
• Read our Recruitment Privacy Statement

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 Category: Jobs

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Specifications: 12-month fixed term
Salary:  £37,000 per annum
Location: Flexible; can be based anywhere
Directorate:  Evidence Pipeline and Data Curation Team, Publishing and Technology Directorate
Closing date: April 11 2023
 
Cochrane is an international charity. For 30 years we have responded to the challenge of making vast amounts of research evidence useful for informing decisions about health. We do this by synthesising research findings and our work has been recognised as the international gold standard for high quality, trusted information.

Cochrane's strength is in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane's strength is in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane's members and supporters come from more than 190 countries. Though we are spread out across the globe, our shared passion for health evidence unites us. Our Central Executive Team supports this work and is divided into five directorates: Evidence Production and Methods, Publishing and Technology, Development, and Finance and Corporate Services.

The purpose of this role is to support the study identification stages critical in the production of Cochrane evidence. To enable this, we have developed the Cochrane Evidence Pipeline. The Evidence Pipeline aims to combine traditional search and retrieval processes with machine learning and crowdsourcing to expedite the study identification process and better enable the recuse of data.

Don’t have every single qualification? We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job unless they are a perfect match. At Cochrane, we’re not looking for “perfect matches.” We’re looking to welcome people to our diverse, inclusive, and passionate workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but don’t have every single qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. Whether it’s this role or another one, you may be just the right candidate.

Our organization is built on four core values: Collaboration: Underpins everting we do, locally and globally. Relevant: The right evidence at the right time in the right format. Integrity: Independent and transparent. Quality: Reviewing and improving what we do, maintaining rigour and trust.  

You can expect: 

• An opportunity to truly impact health globally  
• A flexible work environment  
• A comprehensive onboarding experiences
• An environment where people feel welcome, heard, and included, regardless of their differences

Cochrane welcomes applications from a wide range of perspectives, experiences, locations and backgrounds; diversity, equity and inclusion are key to our values.

How to apply

• For further information on the role and how to apply, please click here.
• The deadline to receive your application is 11th April, 2023.
• The supporting statement should indicate why you are applying for the post, and how far you meet the requirements, using specific examples. 
• Read our Recruitment Privacy Statement

Monday, March 20, 2023 Category: Jobs

We are delighted to share that Cochrane’s first open access journal, Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods, has published its first articles.

Working in conjunction with our publisher, Wiley, this journal strengthens Cochrane’s ability to meet our stakeholders’ needs and publish different types of evidence synthesis beyond systematic reviews. It also includes methods research evaluating how evidence syntheses is planned, produced and disseminated, and research articles on critical areas for evidence synthesis, such as, priority setting, consumer involvement, and research integrity.  

With the launch Editorial New directions beyond the boundaries of evidence synthesis, Michael Brown (Editor, Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods) and Ella Flemyng (Editorial Product Lead, Cochrane) discuss the scope and ethos of the journal, and how they hope the journal will contribute to the field.

Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods’ first published paper is the rapid review on the effect of pharmacological interventions for the treatment of people with post-COVID-19, which is an exemplar for the types of rapid reviews we will feature. The authors, led by KM Saif-Ur-Rahman and Declan Devane (University in Galway, Ireland), worked closely with the World Health Organization, to ensure that the rapid review was relevant, timely and narrowly focused on therapeutic questions that directly apply to health care decisions.

Want to join the journal’s growing community?

• Sign up for content alerts so you never miss a new article
• Find out how to submit
• Register to be a peer reviewer (by creating an account in our Scholar 1 system)

Want to learn more about Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods?

Michael Brown and Ella Flemyng recently discussed why Cochrane launched a new journal, what its aim is, and how people from across the community can get involved.

 

Monday, March 20, 2023

Specifications: Fixed Term – 1 Year (Full Time, Open for Part-Time Role as well)
Salary: £35K per annum  
Location: Ideally based in the UK, Germany or Denmark. Candidates from the rest of the world will be considered; however, Cochrane’s Central Executive Team is only able to offer consultancy contracts outside these countries (1-year fixed-term contracts)
Directorate: Evidence Production & Methods
Closing date: 27 March 2023
 
Cochrane is an international charity. For 30 years we have responded to the challenge of making vast amounts of research evidence useful for informing decisions about health. We do this by synthesising research findings and our work has been recognised as the international gold standard for high quality, trusted information.

Cochrane's strength is in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane's strength is in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane's members and supporters come from more than 190 countries. Though we are spread out across the globe, our shared passion for health evidence unites us. Our Central Executive Team supports this work and is divided into five directorates: Evidence Production and Methods, Publishing and Technology, Development, and Finance and Corporate Services.

The Future of Evidence Synthesis (FES) is a critical programme of work for Cochrane over the next 3-5 years. Successful delivery is essential for Cochrane’s future and sustainability. A core component of the new production model is the creation of Cochrane Evidence Synthesis Units (ESU) and Thematic Groups (TG). This role will work closely with the Head of Change Management, to 1) create, launch and manage the initial application process for Evidence Synthesis Units and 2) revise the application process and launch a second round for Thematic Groups and help to manage the initial stages of the ESU and TG pilots.

Don’t have every single qualification? We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job unless they are a perfect match. At Cochrane, we’re not looking for “perfect matches.” We’re looking to welcome people to our diverse, inclusive, and passionate workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but don’t have every single qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. Whether it’s this role or another one, you may be just the right candidate.

Our organization is built on four core values: Collaboration: Underpins everting we do, locally and globally. Relevant: The right evidence at the right time in the right format. Integrity: Independent and transparent. Quality: Reviewing and improving what we do, maintaining rigour and trust.  

You can expect: 

• An opportunity to truly impact health globally  
• A flexible work environment  
• A comprehensive onboarding experiences
• An environment where people feel welcome, heard, and included, regardless of their differences

Cochrane welcomes applications from a wide range of perspectives, experiences, locations and backgrounds; diversity, equity and inclusion are key to our values.

How to apply

• For further information on the role and how to apply, please click here.
• The deadline to receive your application is 27th  March 2023.
• The supporting statement should indicate why you are applying for the post, and how far you meet the requirements, using specific examples. 
• Read our Recruitment Privacy Statement

Thursday, March 16, 2023 Category: Jobs

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

 

The Cochrane Review 'Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses' was published in January 2023 and has been widely misinterpreted.

Karla Soares-Weiser, Editor-in-Chief of the Cochrane Library, has responded on behalf of Cochrane:

  

Many commentators have claimed that a recently-updated Cochrane Review shows that 'masks don't work', which is an inaccurate and misleading interpretation.

It would be accurate to say that the review examined whether interventions to promote mask wearing help to slow the spread of respiratory viruses, and that the results were inconclusive. Given the limitations in the primary evidence, the review is not able to address the question of whether mask-wearing itself reduces people's risk of contracting or spreading respiratory viruses. 

The review authors are clear on the limitations in the abstract: 'The high risk of bias in the trials, variation in outcome measurement, and relatively low adherence with the interventions during the studies hampers drawing firm conclusions.' Adherence in this context refers to the number of people who actually wore the provided masks when encouraged to do so as part of the intervention. For example, in the most heavily-weighted trial of interventions to promote community mask wearing, 42.3% of people in the intervention arm wore masks compared to 13.3% of those in the control arm. 

The original Plain Language Summary for this review stated that 'We are uncertain whether wearing masks or N95/P2 respirators helps to slow the spread of respiratory viruses based on the studies we assessed.' This wording was open to misinterpretation, for which we apologize. While scientific evidence is never immune to misinterpretation, we take responsibility for not making the wording clearer from the outset. We are engaging with the review authors with the aim of updating the Plain Language Summary and abstract to make clear that the review looked at whether interventions to promote mask wearing help to slow the spread of respiratory viruses.

• Read  the Cochrane Review 'Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses'

Friday, March 10, 2023

Specifications: Permanent – Full Time
Salary: £55,257 (Paid in DKK, as per market exchange rate) per annum
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Directorate: Publishing & Technology
Closing date: March 24 2023
 
Cochrane is an international charity. For 30 years we have responded to the challenge of making vast amounts of research evidence useful for informing decisions about health. We do this by synthesising research findings and our work has been recognised as the international gold standard for high quality, trusted information.

Cochrane's strength is in its collaborative, global community. We have 110,000+ members and supporters from more than 220 countries. Though we are spread out across the globe, our shared passion for health evidence unites us. Our Central Executive Team supports this work and is divided into five directorates: Evidence Production and Methods, Publishing and Technology, Development, and Finance and Corporate Services.

As software development team lead, you will manage an Agile/Scrum software development team (3 developers, 1 test engineer) who develop web applications that accelerate the production of systematic reviews of health evidence. You will support the team in their work, coordinate with product owners on timelines, and contribute to software testing within the team as needed to ensure sprint goals are met.

Don’t have every single qualification? We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job unless they are a perfect match. At Cochrane, we’re not looking for “perfect matches.” We’re looking to welcome people to our diverse, inclusive, and passionate workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but don’t have every single qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. Whether it’s this role or another one, you may be just the right candidate.

Our organization is built on four core values: Collaboration: Underpins everting we do, locally and globally. Relevant: The right evidence at the right time in the right format. Integrity: Independent and transparent. Quality: Reviewing and improving what we do, maintaining rigour and trust.  

You can expect: 

• An opportunity to truly impact health globally  
• A flexible work environment  
• A comprehensive onboarding experiences
• An environment where people feel welcome, heard, and included, regardless of their differences

Cochrane welcomes applications from a wide range of perspectives, experiences, locations and backgrounds; diversity, equity and inclusion are key to our values.

How to apply

• For further information on the role and how to apply, please click here.
• The deadline to receive your application is 24 March 2023.
• The supporting statement should indicate why you are applying for the post, and how far you meet the requirements, using specific examples. 
• Read our Recruitment Privacy Statement

Friday, March 10, 2023 Category: Jobs

A number of stipends and bursaries are available to help consumers and other attendees based in developing countries to attend Cochrane Colloquium London 2023. This is our 30th annual flagship event and this year it will take place at Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Centre in London from 4th to 6th September 2023, and Satellite events on 3rd September.

Stipends and bursaries represent funding you can apply for, if you are eligible, that are intended to help cover registration and other expenses associated with attending the 2023 Colloquium.

Cochrane is providing stipends for:

1. Cochrane Consumers
2. individuals living in low-lower-middle, (LMIC) and upper-middle-income countries (UMIC)

The deadline for applying is 24 April 2023 and winners will be notified 22 May 2023.

Find out whether you are eligible and how to apply

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Monday, March 6, 2023

Specifications: Fixed Term – 1 Year
Salary: £35,000 per annum  
Location: Ideally based in the UK, Germany or Denmark. Candidates from the rest of the world will be considered; however, Cochrane’s Central Executive Team is only able to offer consultancy contracts outside these countries (1-year fixed-term contracts)
Directorate: Evidence Production & Methods
Closing date: 13 March, 2023
 
Cochrane is an international charity. For 30 years we have responded to the challenge of making vast amounts of research evidence useful for informing decisions about health. We do this by synthesising research findings and our work has been recognised as the international gold standard for high quality, trusted information.

Cochrane's strength is in its collaborative, global community. We have 110,000+ members and supporters from more than 220 countries. Though we are spread out across the globe, our shared passion for health evidence unites us. Our Central Executive Team supports this work and is divided into five directorates: Evidence Production and Methods, Publishing and Technology, Development, and Finance and Corporate Services.

The Future of Evidence Synthesis (FES) is a critical programme of work for Cochrane over the next 3-5 years. Successful delivery is essential for Cochrane's future and sustainability. A core component of the new production model is the creation of Cochrane Evidence Synthesis Units and Thematic Groups. This role will work closely with the Head of Change Management, to create, launch and manage the initial application process for Evidence Synthesis Units and a second application round for Thematic Groups and help to manage the initial stages of the pilots.

Don’t have every single qualification? We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job unless they are a perfect match. At Cochrane, we’re not looking for “perfect matches.” We’re looking to welcome people to our diverse, inclusive, and passionate workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but don’t have every single qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. Whether it’s this role or another one, you may be just the right candidate.

Our organization is built on four core values: Collaboration: Underpins everting we do, locally and globally. Relevant: The right evidence at the right time in the right format. Integrity: Independent and transparent. Quality: Reviewing and improving what we do, maintaining rigour and trust.  

You can expect: 

• An opportunity to truly impact health globally  
• A flexible work environment  
• A comprehensive onboarding experiences
• An environment where people feel welcome, heard, and included, regardless of their differences

Cochrane welcomes applications from a wide range of perspectives, experiences, locations and backgrounds; diversity, equity and inclusion are key to our values.

How to apply

• For further information on the role and how to apply, please click here.
• The deadline to receive your application is 13th March, 2023.
• The supporting statement should indicate why you are applying for the post, and how far you meet the requirements, using specific examples. 
• Read our Recruitment Privacy Statement

Monday, February 27, 2023

Watch videos from the recent event held by Cochrane PaPaS

For 23 years the Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care (PaPaS) group has been delivering the gold standard in evidence synthesis in the field of pain management, palliative and supportive care and supporting the community towards better methods and standards in pain clinical trials and systematic reviews. As their funding comes to an end, they highlighted and celebrated their contribution with an event, called ‘Truth, Integrity and the Future of Pain Evidence’ at the Wellcome Collection in London, UK.  It was a chance to reflect on what has been discovered, where we continue to face important challenges, and how we might move toward a future of trusted evidence to guide better pain care globally.

Dr. Neil O’Connell, Cochrane PaPaS Editor explains the importance of the event; “Working in evidence synthesis we can achieve a “birds-eye” view of the evidence ecosystem in our field, including its problems. Pain in clinical practice and patient care is often poorly served by an evidence architecture containing multiple structural weaknesses. These issues span pre-clinical research, clinical trials, and systematic reviews, and impact upon developing clinical guidelines. Clinical practice in pain management frequently diverges from the evidence, or evolves in the absence of evidence, driven by individual and organisational vested interests, market forces, fashion, and demand from people with pain. In our event, we heard from a range of established and emerging leaders in the field to better understand the challenges and to consider how we create better solutions.”

Talks at the meeting highlighted a range of challenges to the quality and trustworthiness of pain evidence across the pipeline, from pre-clinical through to evidence synthesis, and focused on approaches to improving that picture through better methods, open science practices, interdisciplinary working and partnership with people with lived experience of pain. There was an exceptional range of speakers and leaders in terms of discipline, perspective, and career stage. The audience was also diverse, representing clinicians across many disciplines, researchers, people with pain, editors, and publishers. It was a great day, with comments from one attendee saying it was their most thought-provoking event of the year.

• Read about the events of the day on Twitter under #PaPaSPain2022
• Watch videos from the event

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Cochrane is made up of 11,000 members and over 67,000 supporters come from more than 130 countries, worldwide. Our volunteers and contributors are researchers, health professionals, patients, carers, people passionate about improving health outcomes for everyone, everywhere.

Getting involved in Cochrane’s work means becoming part of a global community. The Cochrane International Mobility programme connects successful applicants with a placement in a host Cochrane Group, learning more about the production, use, and knowledge translation of Cochrane reviews. The prgramme offers opportunities for learning and training not only for participants but also for host staff.

In this series, we profile those that have participated in the Cochrane International Mobility Program and learn more about their experiences.

Name: Chiara Russo
Location: Italy
Cochrane International Mobility location: Cochrane Sweden

How did you first learn about Cochrane?
When I first heard about Cochrane it was a coincidence. I was studying at my University in Genoa (Italy) and I was looking for a place to go for my Erasmus Traineeship Program. As I was interested in pediatrics field, a medical doctor suggested me to contact Matteo Bruschettini and he offered me the opportunity to go to Sweden, where I worked with him at Cochrane Sweden.

What was your experience with your Cochrane International Mobility?
Actually, before going to Sweden, I’d never had any research experience. Matteo offered me the opportunity to approach systematic reviews, at first with Cochrane Interactive Learning modules, then I had the pleasure to actively work on systematic reviews.

What are you doing now in relation to your Cochrane International Mobility experience?
Once I completed my four-month placement at Cochrane Sweden, I continued to work with Matteo. Thanks to him, I’m co-author of a published Cochrane review, which has already been updated. Moreover, I completed, with Cochrane Sweden and other co-authors, another Cochrane review, which is in press, commissioned by the WHO (World Health Organization).  Even when I came back to Italy, Matteo is still supportive and available for any of my concerns.

Do you have any words of advice to anyone considering a Cochrane International Mobility experience?
I really suggest to anyone interested in research to connect to Cochrane. It will be a great experience both for a first approach to research and for the more experienced medical doctor. Not only will you probably have the opportunity to actively collaborate to a systematic review, but you will certainly learn how to read scientific text. It will also be an opportunity to meet people and other cultures from all over the world.

 

 

 

Wednesday, February 22, 2023