Research synthesis and dissemination as a bridge to knowledge management: the Cochrane Collaboration

• Published in: Bulletin of the World Health Organization Vol. 82; no. 10; pp. 778 - 783
• Main Authors: Volmink, Jimmy, Siegfried, Nandi, Robertson, Katharine, Gülmezoglu, A Metin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland World Health Organization 01.10.2004; The World Health Organization
• Subjects: Acceso a la información; Administrative Personnel; Bases de datos factuales; Bias; Breast cancer; Cochrane Collaboration; Collaboration; Consumers; Databases, Bibliographic; Databases, Factual; Decision making; Developing countries; Diseminación de la información; Dissemination; Epidemiology; Evidence based medicine; Health; Health care; Health Policy; Health Policy & Services; Health Services Research - organization & administration; Humans; Information Dissemination; Initiatives; Investigación; Knowledge management; LDCs; Libraries; Literatura de revisión; Literature reviews; Medicina basada en evidencia; Meta-analysis; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Periodicals as Topic; Prestación de atención de salud; Researchers; Systematic review; Literatura de revisión; Bases de datos factuales; Delivery of health care; Research; Prestación de atención de salud; Evidence-based medicine; Information dissemination; Revue de la littérature; Acceso a la información; Base données factuelles; Diseminación de la información; Diffusion de l'information; Review literature; Medicina basada en evidencia; Médecine factuelle; Délivrance soins; Recherche; Investigación; Databases, Factual
• ISSN: 0042-9686; 1564-0604
• DOI: 10.1590/S0042-96862004001000014

In the current information age, research synthesis is a particularly useful tool for keeping track of scientific research and making sense of the large volumes of frequently conflicting data derived from primary studies. The Cochrane Collaboration is a global initiative "to help people make well-informed decisions about health care by preparing, maintaining and promoting the accessibility of systematic reviews of the effects of healthcare interventions". In this paper we set the work of the Cochrane Collaboration in historical perspective, explain what a Cochrane review is, and describe initiatives for promoting worldwide dissemination of synthesized information. We also consider emerging evidence of the Cochrane Collaboration's impact on health-care practice, policy, research and education. Finally, we highlight the need for increased investment in the preparation and maintenance of Cochrane reviews, particularly those that address health issues that are relevant to people living in low- and middle-income countries.