Dear Community colleagues,

Following our communication of 10 July on the completion of Cochrane’s Sustainability Review, we are delighted to publish the CRG Transformation Programme implementation plan, entitled ‘The Structure and Function of Cochrane Review Groups: implementation of Networks and Editorial Board’. Following extensive analysis, consultation, and debate on CRG reforms that have taken place in recent years, and with a clear steer from the Governing Board, this Implementation Plan sets out the changes we will be making to ensure Cochrane addresses the challenges it faces in relation to the production of a comprehensive collection of timely, high-quality reviews, relevant to our stakeholders.

This is an open access document and will be presented for approval to Cochrane’s Governing Board in Cape Town in September 2017. In addition, it will be included in regular communication updates through monthly Reviews and Methods Digests.

We have recognized in previous correspondence that there may be many questions about what this means for you and the future functionality of CRGs. Some of these questions may not have definitive answers until after Cochrane’s Governing Board has met in Cape Town. However, in the meantime we have established an email address where you can submit questions, and one of the Project Team will respond to your enquiry: SFinfo@cochrane.org

We will continue to fully engage with you and your Group over the next few weeks and months as we work closely with all members of the CRG community in our planned implementation. Our next communications on Community will follow Cochrane’s Governing Board meeting in mid-September.

With our best wishes,

Karla Soares-Weiser, Acting Editor in Chief

Martin Burton, Co-ordinating Editor, ENT Group

Jonathan Craig, Co-ordinating Editor, Kidney & Transplant Group

Nicky Cullum, Co-ordinating Editor, Wounds Group

Mark Wilson, Chief Executive Officer

Dear Cochrane community colleagues,

I am writing to inform you that after three years as Cochrane’s Head of Communications and External Affairs (CEAD), Julie Wood is leaving us to take up the position of Director of External Affairs with Vivli.

Julie has led CEAD since September 2014, developing a team that now oversees Central Executive leadership and support in the areas of communications, media and dissemination, translations, strategic partnerships, branding and events, and fundraising. More recently, she has been project lead on the launch of Cochrane’s Membership scheme and heavily involved in the development of Cochrane’s Knowledge Translation framework and new implementation plan. During her time at Cochrane, Julie was instrumental in the delivery of many critical Strategy to 2020 organizational objectives, including leading Cochrane’s re-brand, the formidable success in increasing web traffic to Cochrane.org, helping to co-ordinate and launch the first-ever Global Evidence Summit, and playing an important role in securing Cochrane’s grant of US$1.15 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2016. She is a hugely respected member of the Senior Management Team and Head of Department, and we will miss her wide-ranging expertise, passionate commitment to Cochrane’s mission and influential contributions to many Central Executive activities.

Julie leaves us on September 8^th, just before the Global Evidence Summit in Cape Town, and we have decided to take this opportunity to review the current structure and the work priorities of CEAD before beginning any new recruitment processes. In the interim I’m pleased to say that Jo Anthony and Sylvia de Haan will jointly lead the CEAD team’s activities; and a detailed plan of Jo and Sylvia’s respective responsibilities will be shared with you in the next week.

I would like to thank Julie for her tireless, imaginative and inspiring work for Cochrane over the last three years. Over the next few weeks I’m sure she will speak to many of you personally to bid a fond farewell; and I know you will join me in thanking Julie for her great contribution to Cochrane and to wish her, and her family, every happiness and success for the future.

Yours sincerely,

Mark

Mark G. Wilson
Chief Executive Officer

The Cochrane Scientific Committee (CSC) is a new body with responsibility for making scientific decisions about the implementation of new methods for Cochrane Reviews. This committee now underway will build up an agenda of priority methods for future implementation. From time to time Cochrane members will have the opportunity to submit methodological items to the committee.

We have opened the first call for submissions to this committee. Submitted items will include methodological improvements or tool development, new methods, or methods offering different approaches. Submissions should involve methods or methods related development deemed important to improve the quality and credibility of Cochrane Reviews, or methods Cochrane should employ, or does, but there are differences of opinion on approach. We only need brief information at this point for the CSC members to make a judgement about importance, value and priority to Cochrane and its future development. We will respond to all submissions with the committee's decision and, may request further information and attendance at a future CSC meeting.

Please complete the call submission form here. Deadline for applications is Monday 25th September, 2017.

Please direct any enquiries to Jackie Chandler (Methods Co-ordinator).

Dear Colleagues,

We are delighted to announce the results of the recent elections and appointments to the Governing Board:

Co-Chair:

Martin Burton has been appointed by the Board as its Co-Chair for a term of two years. Martin served as a member of the Board until this month, and already has substantial leadership experience in Cochrane as Director of Cochrane UK and Co-ordinating Editor of the Cochrane Ear Nose & Throat Review Group. Martin is based in Oxford, UK, and will share chairing duties with Cindy Farquhar, who is Co-ordinating Editor of the Gynaecology and Fertility Review Group, and is based in Auckland, New Zealand.

Two internal members:

The election of internal members has now concluded, and you have elected the following two candidates for a term of three years:

• Tracey Howe
• Joerg Meerpohl

Tracey Howe is Director of the Cochrane Global Ageing Field and is based in Glasgow, UK. Joerg Meerpohl is a serving Board member who has now been re-elected. He is Co-Director of Cochrane Germany and is based in Freiburg.

Sincere thanks go to all the candidates who stood in this election; their contribution and willingness to volunteer their time is greatly appreciated.

Three external members:

The Board has appointed three external members for a term of three years:

• Maria Gladys Faba Beaumont
• David Hammerstein Mintz
• Rae Lamb

Maria Gladys Faba Beaumont is a sociologist by training and works with the National Institute of Public Health in Mexico and the Pan American Health Organization; she is based in Mexico City. David Hammerstein Mintz is a civil society advocate for the Commons Network, an organization he co-founded. He is also a former Member of the European Parliament and is based in Valencia, Spain. Rae Lamb is Aged Care Complaints Commissioner for Australia and has a background in health journalism and health services research; she is based in Melbourne.

The candidate statements of all elected and appointed members are available for you to view on Cochrane Community website, as is the vote count for the internal election. The elections and appointments are governed by the Board electoral and appointment procedure.

The members of the Board congratulate and welcome the new members and extend their grateful thanks to Lisa Bero, outgoing Co-Chair; and Mona Nasser and Denise Thomson, outgoing Board members, for their outstanding contributions to Cochrane as members of the Board.

Questions about any aspect of this process should be sent to elections@cochrane.org.

UK Research and Innovation will be formed in April 2018, bringing together the seven existing Research Councils (including MRC), along with Innovate UK and a new body, Research England. Operating across the whole of the UK with a combined budget of more than £6 billion. Research England will work closely with its partner organizations in the devolved administrations. The organization's ambition is to be the best research and innovation agency in the world.

Find out more:

• MRC news item
• UK Research and Innovation website

We are looking for Cochrane Groups to host the 2020 and 2021 Cochrane Colloquia, and the 2019, 2020, and 2021 Cochrane Governance Meetings.

Call to host Cochrane Colloquia

Colloquia are Cochrane’s annual conferences, hosted each year by a different Cochrane Centre, Associate Centre, or Affiliate. Colloquia are designed to bring people together in one place to discuss, develop, and promote Cochrane’s work, as well as to shape the organization’s future direction. They are a chance for the community to get together to discuss the latest topics in evidence-based health care, and to learn about Cochrane methods through workshops and presentations.

The 2018 Colloquium will be held in Edinburgh and hosted by Cochrane UK; the 2019 Colloquium will be held Santiago, Chile and hosted by Cochrane South America. We are looking for other Cochrane Groups to host the 2020 and 2021 Colloquia.

Important information

• Deadline for submissions is 28 July 2017
• Your proposal will be put forward to the Cochrane Governing Board for decision as an Open Access paper
• You will be notified of the result in September 2017
• Cochrane Centres, Associate Centres, and Affiliates can apply. If you are an Associate Centre or Affiliate, you must supply a letter of support from your overarching Centre alongside your proposal
• All proposals must include a letter of support from your host institution and/or funders
• You are required to submit a proposed budget alongside the form
• To apply, download the application form.
   

Cochrane Governance Meetings call

Governance Meetings are Cochrane’s annual business meetings. 'Cochrane Governance Meetings' is the new name for the Cochrane Mid-Year Meeting; this name will be in use for the 2018 meetings onwards.

They are an opportunity for the Cochrane’s Governing Board, Councils, and Executives to meet and discuss the organization’s Strategy to 2020 and related targets, and how these are being developed and implemented.

Cochrane Portugal will be hosting the 2018 Governance Meetings in Lisbon. We are looking for other Cochrane Groups to host the 2019, 2020, and 2021 events.

It is important to note that Cochrane Governance Meetings must be held in Europe or an easily accessible transport hub. At a minimum, the location should be within two hours’ travelling time of an international airport.

Important information

• Your proposal will be put forward to the Cochrane Governing Board for decision as an Open Access paper
• You will be notified of the result in September 2017
• You are required to submit a proposed budget alongside the form
• All proposals must include a letter of support from your host institution and/or funders

To apply, download the application form.

Colloquium and Governance Meeting hosts are given support from the Cochrane Executive Team throughout the organization and hosting of the event.

If you would like to arrange a call with Holly Millward, Cochrane’s Event Support Officer, to discuss your proposal, please email hmillward@cochrane.org to arrange a time.

Please submit all proposals and support documentation to Holly Millward by 28 July 2017.

Cochrane is a global independent network of researchers, professionals, and people interested in health, including healthcare consumers. Cochrane's healthcare consumers are made up from a wide range of people, including patients (or people with personal experience of a healthcare condition), health and social care service users, care-givers and family members. Also included are people who represent or are advocates for patients and carers. What unites them all is their search for high quality, unbiased information about health conditions and treatments.

Consumer involvement is vital to Cochrane’s work as it:

(i)    promotes transparency, accountability and trust in the way that research is produced;
(ii)    results in evidence that addresses consumers’ needs, reduces waste in research, improves the translation of research into policy and practice, and ultimately leads to improved benefits for health systems and outcomes for patients;
(iii)    is consistent with current health research approaches and is expected or mandated by our funders, partners and consumers. 

Read more about the Statement of Principles for Consumer Involvement in Cochrane on the Cochrane Consumers Network website. 

The XVI Annual Meeting of the Cochrane Iberoamerican Network was held in Medellín on 5-7 June 2017. The event was organized by the Associate Centre University of Antioquia and coordinated by Hector Ivan García, director of this Associate Centre, and Xavier Bonfill, director of the Cochrane Iberoamerican Network.

Besides presenting interesting conferences and workshops related to evidence-based health care and clinical synthesis research in the region, the director of the Cochrane Iberoamerican Network discussed the activities currently under way across the different countries, and shared several future projects.

Attending this event were representatives of the Cochrane Editorial Unit, Karla Soares and Sera Tort. Their attendance enabled the discussion about common issues of Cochrane systematic review production and the main future challenges in this field.

Congratulations to Cochrane Iberoamerican Network for another great Annual Meeting!

• Read this news item in Spanish: Celebrada la XVI Reunión Anual de la Red Cochrane Iberoamericana en Medellín (Colombia) del 5 al 7 de junio de 2017

Just think how much time could be saved if you could crowdsource the screening for your review! Cochrane Crowd are trialling just such a service, known for now as Review Screen, or RevScreen for short.

Cochrane Crowd, Cochrane’s citizen science platform, launched in May 2016, until now has mostly focussed on identifying randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for uploading into the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL).

The Cochrane Crowd team envisage extending the established system to create efficiencies for individual reviews. Anna Noel-Storr, Co-Lead of Cochrane Crowd, explains, “We know that Cochrane Crowd works to screen RCTs for CENTRAL. Our Crowd of nearly 6,000 volunteers has screened well over 450,000 abstracts, finding around 34,000 RCTs – a brilliant collective effort. Alongside the existing process, we want to see if the system could be harnessed to deliver benefits directly to review teams by having the Crowd identify RCTs from the search results of individual reviews.”

So far things look very promising. Anna says, “Pilots have been completed for four reviews, with Cochrane Crowd volunteers jumping at the chance to work on these specialized screening tasks. It is incredibly efficient, with screening for the pilots being completed as quickly as 4.5 hours. Review teams have offered acknowledgement to volunteers who screen more than 200 records which has proved to be a good incentive to the Crowd.” The image below shows some of the key results for the four pilot studies.

Miranda Cumpston, Head of Learning and Support, Cochrane Central Executive, trialled the service recently, with the Crowd taking just four hours to screen 1,200 records and finding 370 RCTs. “This is an incredibly useful service, and the Crowd was super-fast in screening the records. It will be especially useful for large search datasets for which removing the non-RCTs can save a significant amount of time and reduce the burden on the review team.”

Colleen Ovelman, Managing Editor and Information Specialist at Cochrane Neonatal, has also trialled the service and recommends it to other review authors. “This is a wonderful system! I see crowdsourcing as a very promising way to engage others in the work we do with Cochrane, and there is no doubt that Cochrane Crowd, through this new service, can make the review process more efficient.”

So what next for this innovative service? The Cochrane Crowd team are making tweaks to the platform based on pilot feedback and are aiming for broader launch in the second half of the year. “We’re making a few technical changes with the aim of improving system efficiency without compromising accuracy, and to enable review teams to access screening results directly, as soon as screening has been completed, rather than the Crowd team acting as gatekeepers. We’re also developing some guidance to help authors teams understand just what Cochrane Crowd could do for them. It’s early days and, as with any new process, we need to make sure we keep a close eye on early use of the service. However, the pilot work done so far has been very encouraging and I’d just like to say a very big thank you to all those who contributed to those pilots, and to the author teams who took part”, says Anna.

Sign up to Cochrane Crowd to be amongst the first to hear new updates about RevScreen.

To hear more about Cochrane Crowd, you can watch this short video. If you have questions about RevScreen, or would like more information, contact the Cochrane Crowd team at crowd@cochrane.org. You can also keep up-to-date with Cochrane Crowd’s news by following them on Twitter.

Support for Project Transform was provided by Cochrane and the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (APP1114605). The contents of the published material are solely the responsibility of the Administering Institution, a Participating Institution or individual authors and do not reflect the views of the NHMRC.