The PICO annotation project is an initiative, which started as part of the Strategy to 2020, to complete the background work required to enable PICO views of Cochrane evidence in the Cochrane Library and elsewhere. We will make the content and data behind our reviews more useful and discoverable by completing the linked data annotation of reviews and protocols. 

Cochrane PICOs are short summaries of clinical questions addressed by one or more Cochrane Reviews. Target audiences for Cochrane PICOs are healthcare practitioners and professionals, and other informed users of health care (e.g. decision-makers).
 

The objectives of the PICO annotation project are:

• To develop a complete set of PICO annotations at question, included study, and analysis levels.
• To add an annotation tool to the workflow in Archie, RevMan, and the CRS.
• To complete scoping of core APIs for external business cases and data feeds.
• To familiarise, engage with, and train CRG staff as required (particularly Information Specialists) in key areas relevant to linked data tools and annotation work.

Contacts:

Chris Mavergames, Project Lead cmavergames@cochrane.org

Anna Last Medical Terminology Manager alast@cochrane.org

What tools do I need?
Login to the tools using your Cochrane login details.
You will need the following tools to produce PICO annotations: 

1.    PICO Annotator - to create PICO annotations 
2.    QA dashboard - to view the status of annotations being worked 
3.    The Cochrane Linked Data Vocabulary - to find terms to describe each component 
       within the PICO process

More information on using the tools is available in the guidance in Confluence. If you cannot access Confluence please contact support@cochrane.org

Communication and documentation resources
1.    Annotation Knowledge Base contains full guidance on how to PICO annotate.
2.    The term request form is available on Annotation Knowledge Base
3.    Slack has an annotation guidance channel which is used as a discussion forum to post
       queries, comments and resolve problems. Contact support@cochrane.org for access

PICO Annotation resources (November 2020)
•    What we are annotating
•    Begin annotating
•    FAQ
 

Last update: Dec 2021