小児における歯のフッ素症の原因としてのフッ化物局所応用 小児期におけるフッ化物局所応用は斑状歯の形成と関連するか？ 要点 高いフッ化物濃度（1,000ppm以上）の歯磨剤を1～2歳の小児に使用することは、永久歯の歯のフッ素症（斑状歯や変色歯）のリスクの増加と関連しているといういくつかのエビデンスがある。 しかし、小児が歯磨きを開始する時期、使用する歯磨剤の量、歯磨きの頻度など、永久歯のフッ素症のリスクに関しては、決定的なエビデンスはない。 歯のフッ素症（斑状歯）とは何か？ これまでの研究で、フッ化物を含む歯磨剤がう蝕を予防することが示されている。しかし、歯の発育期にフッ化物を過剰に摂取した小児は、永久歯に歯のフッ素症を発症する可能性がある。歯のフッ素症は、永久歯に白い縞や筋、不透明な大きな斑点、褐色の変色、穴、もしくは破折として見られることがある。 何を調べようとしたのか？ 今回のレビューの更新では、幼児期における局所フッ化物塗布が永久歯のフッ素症と関連するかどうかを明らかにするために、より多くの適切にデザインされた研究が近年発表されているかどうかについて調査した。 何を行ったのか？ 小児におけるさまざまな局所的フッ化物への曝露（歯磨きを開始した年齢、歯磨きの頻度、歯磨剤のフッ化物濃度など）と永久歯のフッ素症リスクとの関連を評価した研究について検索を行った。研究結果を比較、要約し...

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Friday, June 14, 2024

Cochrane, JBI, Guidelines International Network (GIN), and The Campbell Collaboration are set to host the second Global Evidence Summit (GES) in the historic city of Prague from 10 to 13 September 2024. This summit will bring together professionals from various sectors, including health, education, social justice, environment, and climate change, to discuss and inform policy and practice through evidence. Registration is still open.

With approximately 70 long oral presentations, 456 short oral presentations, 60 workshops, 25 special sessions, and 1000+ posters accepted this year, they will be a cornerstone of the GES programme, facilitating deep exploration of topics and encouraging future collaborations. Emphasising accessible presentations and posters aims to enhance knowledge transfer, particularly for non-native English speakers and individuals facing challenges related to disabilities or neurodivergence.

This year, GES introduces innovative poster and PowerPoint presentation designs based on the work of a diverse team from IPG Health (Emily Messina, James Wells, Noofa Hannan, and Anja Petersen), Zen Faulkes, author of Better Posters, and Mike Morrison, the psychologist behind the viral #BetterPoster movement. These templates incorporate the latest research in instructional design, accessibility, and eye tracking. Tested at the Cochrane Colloquium 2023, the poster templates received positive feedback for improving engagement and communication. Attendees found the posters with large figures and minimal text to be more engaging, memorable, and easier to understand.

Mike Morrison commented on the initiative, saying, "These poster and presentation templates are a significant step towards making scientific communication more insightful for attendees, more impactful for presenters, and more accessible to everyone. We know from several studies — including 'real world' testing at last year's Cochrane colloquium — that these templates make a difference, and I am excited to see their reach expand further at the GES."

Cochrane CEO Catherine Spencer added, "We are thrilled to adopt these templates at the Global Evidence Summit. This initiative underscores Cochrane's commitment to enhancing the dissemination of evidence and fostering impactful discussions. We believe these evidenced-based templates will significantly improve the experience for all participants." Cochrane members are reminded that they can request Cochrane group logos from support@cochrane.org, colour codes for groups are on page 81 of the brand guidelines, and there is picture selection guidance available.

Everyone is encouraged to download and adapt the free poster and presentation templates for their own use, whether presenting at the GES or any other academic event.

• Download the poster template
• Learn more about posters at GES
• Download the presentation template
• Learn more about presentations at GES

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

A new Cochrane review highlights the significant association between undernutrition and tuberculosis (TB) disease, shedding light on its prognostic value in predicting TB incidence among adults, adolescents, and children.

The review, which analyzed data from 51 cohort studies involving over 27 million participants across diverse settings, reveals that undernutrition probably doubles the risk of TB disease. This association, particularly evident within 10 years from the onset of undernutrition, underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to address undernutrition as part of broader TB prevention strategies.

Undernutrition, characterized by factors such as low body mass index (BMI) emerges as a key risk factor for TB infection and progression. Malnutrition compromises the immune system, reducing the body's ability to fight off infections, including TB. Individuals who are malnourished have weakened immune responses, making them more susceptible to the TB bacterium and less capable of containing latent infections. In 2022 alone, undernutrition contributed to an estimated 2.2 million TB cases worldwide, as documented in the World Health Organization's Global Tuberculosis Report.

Lead author of the review and lead of the Cochrane evidence synthesis group at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Juan Franco, says, “By quantifying this risk, we can more accurately estimate the burden of TB disease attributable to undernutrition. This information informs the planning of policies based on the burden of risk factors across different regions of the world.”

The impact of quantifying the relationship between undernutrition and TB provides evidence-based guidance for policymakers to allocate resources effectively, design targeted interventions, and implement comprehensive TB prevention strategies. For doctors and patients, it highlights the importance of nutritional assessments and interventions in TB care and prevention.

The findings from the review suggest that public health policies in countries with high TB burdens must prioritize nutritional support as a core component of TB control programs.

“By addressing undernutrition, these policies can reduce TB incidence, improve treatment outcomes, and contribute to overall health improvements in these populations,” Franco notes.

Despite the clear link between undernutrition and TB disease risk, challenges persist in standardizing diagnostic methods and accounting for confounding factors. The review emphasizes the importance of ongoing research, especially in low- and middle-income countries, to obtain accurate estimates of undernutrition's impact on TB across different populations and settings.

Juan Franco emphasizes the vital role of international organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the WHO TB Programme, in implementing the review’s findings. "Evidence-based policies addressing food insecurity and malnutrition are urgently needed," he explains. 

"Undernutrition manifests differently worldwide, influenced by various social determinants of health. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but addressing societal inequalities is always a good starting point. Treating undernutrition, along with reducing other TB risk factors, is essential not only to lower the TB burden but also to achieve overall well-being." 

By focusing on the dual burden of undernutrition and TB, this Cochrane review underscores the importance of integrating nutritional support into TB control programs to achieve better health outcomes globally.

Thursday, June 13, 2024

Thursday, June 13, 2024

Specifications: Full Time (Permanent role)
Salary: £90,000 per annum
Location: Remote working (international travel and attendance at in-person meetings in London will be expected)
Application closing date:  Wednesday 26 June 2024. The recruitment agency will be longlisting applications as soon as they receive them, so please apply early to register your interest.

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 around the world. 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 External Relations, Chief Executive Office, and Finance and Corporate Services.

The Director of Development and External Relations is a key leadership position within Cochrane, responsible for shaping and implementing the organization's external engagement strategy and attracting donors.

As Director of Development and External Relations for Cochrane, you will be a global ambassador for the charity and a vital part of the Executive Leadership Team. You will build and develop relationships with key stakeholders across the global health landscape, enabling the generation of income, advocate for evidence-informed decision making and foster meaningful partnerships.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will play a pivotal role in advancing Cochrane's global impact and ensuring the charity’s sustainability. You will be responsible for increasing Cochrane’s income. and reputation and influence among key audiences including funders and policymakers. You will lead a directorate responsible for fundraising, advocacy, partnerships, communications and Cochrane Response, our global health consultancy.

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.

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.

How to apply

• View the full job description.
  
• Apply through our recruitment partner, Prospectus.
• Please submit your application by 26 June 2024.
• Read our Recruitment Privacy Statement.

 

Wednesday, June 12, 2024 Category: Jobs

Cochrane's strength lies in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane Geographic Groups represent Cochrane in their host countries, advocating for the use of Cochrane evidence in health policy and practice, and supporting Cochrane's members and supporters locally. Here, we spotlight the impactful work of the Cochrane Africa Network, dedicated to increasing the use of best evidence to inform healthcare decision-making across Africa. 

Cochrane Africa was officially launched at the Global Evidence Summit in Cape Town in 2017, building on partnerships across Africa dating back to the 1990s. The network comprises a Co-ordinating Hub in South Africa based at the Health Systems Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council; a Francophone Hub directed from Cochrane Cameroon; a Southern African Hub directed from the Centre for Evidence-based Healthcare at Stellenbosch University, South Africa; an East African Hub directed from Cochrane Kenya; and a West African Hub directed from Cochrane Nigeria. The network's main objectives are to deliver timely, high-quality responses to priority questions relevant to global health and sub-Saharan Africa, build capacity to conduct Cochrane Reviews, advocate for evidence-informed decision-making, and increase access to and usability of Cochrane products. Cochrane Africa’s current projects include the Global Evidence Local Adaptation (GELA) project, Cochrane Africa Authorship Guidelines, priority setting to identify review topics for each region, and translation of Cochrane review plain language summaries.

The GELA project, established in 2022 and funded by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, aims to enhance evidence-informed guideline recommendations for newborn and young child health. By engaging with stakeholders, GELA has identified local priorities and capacity needs, supporting decision-makers in developing and implementing country-specific guidelines.

"Cochrane Africa's work through the GELA project maximises the impact of evidence for poverty-related diseases by increasing the capacity of decision-makers and researchers to use global research for locally relevant guidelines," says Solange Durão, Cochrane Africa Co-Director. This initiative builds on a large-scale programme of child-health guideline development led by the World Health Organization, with adaptation and implementation led by the WHO Afro regional office, country offices, and national ministries. Via the GELA project Cochrane Africa collaborates with several international partners, including the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Western Norway University of Applied Science, Stellenbosch University, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Cochrane, and the MAGIC Evidence Ecosystem Foundation. 

The network's work has significantly impacted healthcare practices, policies, and knowledge in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in TB, HIV, and COVID-19. Through capacity-building initiatives, Cochrane Africa has developed a robust field of evidence-based healthcare on the continent, with many current leaders in the region being graduates of these training programmes. Cochrane Africa also has a long-term collaboration as part of the READ-It project which is based at the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group. Up to 2023, READ-It has contributed to: 13 global policies or guidelines; 9 national policies or guidelines; 73 high-impact systematic reviews; 10 method topic areas; and specifically published 29 high-impact reviews or methods papers led by authors from low- and middle-income countries.

Looking ahead, the Cochrane Africa Network is excited about hosting the Cochrane Africa Indaba in 2025, an international evidence-based health care conference. It will be led by the East Africa Hub at Cochrane Kenya. "Our future projects will continue to build on our strong foundation, advancing evidence-informed decision-making and improving healthcare outcomes across Africa. We're especially excited for the anticipated 2025 Cochrane Africa Indaba and our training workshops and fellowship programmes. The network also has a long history of developing capacity in Africa to conduct Cochrane and other systematic reviews and develop the field of evidence-based healthcare on the continent. Some of the current leadership in Africa are ‘graduates’ of these training initiatives - and we are looking forward to helping create the next generation of leaders! " notes Tamara Kredo, Cochrane Africa Co-Director.

Cochrane Africa welcomes support and collaboration to amplify their impact. If you are interested in contributing to their mission as authors of Cochrane systematic reviews, identifying priorities for future reviews, participating in research projects, raising awareness about Cochrane in your scientific community, writing summaries or commentaries on Cochrane Africa Reviews, or helping to secure funding for their activities, please fill out a short form.

• Visit the Cochrane Africa website
• Follow Cochrane Africa on X
• Follow the GELA project on Facebook
• Find a Cochrane group in your country
  
  

Friday, July 5, 2024

生殖補助医療を受ける女性に対するアンドロゲン（デヒドロエピアンドロステロンまたはテストステロン） 要点 生殖補助医療（ART）、すなわち体外受精（IVF）や卵細胞質内精子注入法（ICSI）を受けている女性で、反応不良と判定された場合は、テストステロンによる前治療または併用療法を考慮すべきである。 レビューの論点 デヒドロエピアンドロステロン（DHEA）とテストステロンは、アンドロゲンとして知られるホルモンである。何年もの間、妊娠の可能性を高めるために、これらの合成ホルモン剤がART治療の前に使用されてきた。アンドロゲンは、卵子の数を増やし質を向上させることにより、生児出産の可能性を高めると考えられている。 重要である理由 アンドロゲン(DHEAとテストステロン)は、ARTの補助治療として医師によって処方されることが多く、その使用は患者から要望されている。アンドロゲンの前治療または併用療法がARTの治療成績を改善するかどうかについては、質も結果も異なる多くの研究が行われてきた。 何を調べようとしたのか？ 私たちは、補助治療としてのアンドロゲン（DHEAまたはテストステロン）が、プラセボ、無治療、または改善を目指した他の積極的治療よりも優れているかどうかを調べたかった： - 生児出産率／妊娠継続中（「生児出産」とは、妊娠20週以降の出生（死産を含まない）、「妊娠継続中」とは、12週以...

Cochrane's strength lies in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane Geographic Groups represent Cochrane in their host country, advocate for the use of high-quality evidence syntheses in health policy and practice, and support Cochrane's members and supporters who live there. Here, we spotlight the impactful work of Cochrane Austria, dedicated to advancing evidence-based healthcare practices in their country.

Cochrane Austria officially opened as a Cochrane branch in 2010, at the University for Continuing Education Krems. They hosted the 2015 Cochrane Colloquium in Vienna and were awarded full centre status in  2017. With nearly 500 members and supporters, Cochrane Austria aims to support evidence-based decision-making in Austria and other German-speaking countries and build capacity through training activities.

Cochrane Austria Advisory Board Meeting in Krems 2023

Cochrane Austria undertakes various projects to improve health-related decisions by providing access to the best available evidence for citizens, health care providers, and policy decision-makers. They operate the fact-checking platform, Medizin Transparent.at, which evaluates the accuracy of health-related information in the media. This free service enables German-speaking citizens, healthcare providers, and decision-makers to critically analyze health-related information they encounter in the media, attracting about 2 million visitors annually. Cochrane Austria also runs a rapid response service for healthcare professionals, funded by the State Health Agency of Lower Austria. This service provides rapid, evidence-based answers to clinical questions, ensuring that physicians and nurses in Austria can make well-informed decisions.

"There is a lot of misinformation in the media and even healthcare professionals can struggle to find trustworthy evidence. Cochrane Austria's knowledge translation efforts are making a significant impact on evidence-based decision making for citizens, patients, and healthcare providers in Austria," says Dr. Barbara Nußbaumer-Streit, Cochrane Austria Co-Director.

Alexandru and Larisa from Romania, Petter from Sweden, Piotr from Poland, and Raphaela from Sweden.

Training and upskilling the evidence synthesis skills in Austria is another major focus for Cochrane Austria. They provide regular training in methods of evidence-based medicine, such as critical appraisal of studies, interpreting statistics, doing systematic literature searches, and applying the GRADE approach. In 2024, Cochrane Austria launched a PhD program in "Applied Evidence Synthesis in Health Research" at the University for Continuing Education Krems. The program integrates the Cochrane International Mobility programme, allowing PhD students to benefit from the expertise of other Cochrane Centres.

"Cochrane Austria is equipping the next generation of researchers with a profound understanding of evidence-based medicine and the intricate methodologies involved in evidence synthesis. We are excited to play a pivotal role in shaping this promising future," notes Dr. Gerald Gartlehner, Cochrane Austria Co-Director. 

Cochrane Austria is co-convenor of the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group and Cochrane Public Health Europe, collaborates with several international partners, including the American College of Physicians, and the World Health Organization, and also support Cochrane Romania as an Affiliate Centre. These collaborations enhance the impact of their work and ensure the dissemination and uptake of Cochrane evidence. In May 2024, Cochrane Austria organized a meeting of all European Cochrane geographic groups in Vienna to foster and strengthen collaborations within Europe. 

Members of 18 Countries joined the European Cochrane Meeting in May 2024 in Vienna

Through projects like the European Health and Digital Executive Agency collaboration, Cochrane Austria supports EU Member States in decision-making on national vaccination programs. Additionally, as a WHO Collaborating Centre, Cochrane Austria members contributed to a systematic review that formed the basis for a global WHO guideline on preventing bloodstream infections from catheter use.

"Our collaboration with the WHO highlights our dedication to enhancing healthcare decision-making not only in Austria but also on a global scale. We are eager to contribute our expertise to these important projects," says Dr. Barara Nußbaumer-Streit.

Andreea Dobrescu, Barbara Nussbaumer-Streit, Gerald Gartlehner at the Guideline Development Meeting at WHO in Geneva in 2023

Cochrane Austria is excited about involving new PhD students in the Cochrane network, hosting Cochrane International Mobility programme participants, and continuing their knowledge translation and capacity-building activities. For those interested in contributing to Cochrane Austria's mission, please contact Barbara Nussbaumer-Streit at barbara.nussbaumer-streit@donau-uni.ac.at. There are numerous opportunities to get involved and make a difference in the field of evidence-based healthcare!

• Visit the Cochrane Austria website
• Follow Cochrane Austria on social media: 
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
• Search and view Cochrane evidence in German
• Find a Cochrane Geographic Group in your country

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

双極性障害にみられる身体活動に影響を及ぼす要因 要点 双極性障害の人が身体活動に参加するにあたって影響を受ける要因を調べた研究はわずかしかなかった。見つかった研究では、双極性障害の人にとって定期的な身体活動が有益であることが示唆されたが、活動的であることを奨励する効果的な方法だけでなく、いくつかの障害や課題もある。 この統合の目的 この質的エビデンス統合の目的は、双極性障害の人に身体活動を促す要因を探ることである。双極性障害がある人、医療専門家、家族や介護者の視点からの意見や経験に関する質的研究を検索し、分析した。合計592人（オンライン調査に質的データを提供した422人、質的研究から170人）が参加した12件の研究を対象とした。 このエビデンスの統合で検討したこと 双極性障害がある人の多くは身体の健康に問題を抱えており、身体活動を増やせば心身の健康改善に役立つ可能性がある。双極性障害の身体活動促進を目的として、サービス利用者、医療専門家、家族や介護者から意見を求めた質的研究（参加者の経験、信念、行動を収集する研究）を検討した。レビュー著者らはメンタルヘルスと身体活動の分野で働く研究者かつ医療専門家、またはそのいずれかであり、この分野で発表された研究が少ないことから、このレビューテーマを扱った。 本レビューの主な結果 欧州、北米、南米、オーストラリアで行われた12件の研究を対象と...

Monday, June 3, 2024

Title: Team PA (CEO office)
Specifications: Permanent – Full time
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Location: Remote working (UK office located in Central London)
Closing date: 14 June 2024

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 around the world. 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, Chief Executive Office and Finance and Corporate Services.

This varied role will work closely with the Executive Support Manager to provide effective and efficient administrative support to the CEO’s Office, including PA support to the CEO. The CEO’s Office encompasses Strategy, Governance, Geographic Groups, Communications and Cochrane’s Project Team. The Team PA role will provide support, to a greater or lesser extent, to all these areas. It will also provide ad hoc support to special projects, where required. This is a new role and will require a flexible approach. This role could be based anywhere in the world but would be required to work European hours.

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 everything 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 click “how to apply”.
• The deadline to receive your application is 14 June, 2024.
• 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, May 31, 2024 Category: Jobs

Cochrane's strength is in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane Fields serve as a bridge between the production of relevant Cochrane evidence and the implementation of that evidence into the wider field of interest that extends across several health topics. They advocate for the use of Cochrane evidence in health policy and practice and promote awareness and use of evidence-based practices in their area. Here we spotlight the impactful work of Cochrane Rehabilitation, dedicated to enhancing evidence-based rehabilitation practices worldwide.

Cochrane Rehabilitation, formally started in 2016, serves as a bridge between Cochrane and all rehabilitation stakeholders. "Our vision is a world where all rehabilitation decisions are based on the best available evidence, accessible and understood by all," says Stefano Negrini, Director of Cochrane Rehabilitation. With a global perspective that transcends professions and languages, Cochrane Rehabilitation aims to improve the production, dissemination, implementation, and impact of Cochrane rehabilitation evidence.

Cochrane Rehabilitation has been involved in a variety of projects to advance evidence-based practice in rehabilitation. One key initiative is the development of a comprehensive definition for rehabilitation research, which aims to standardise the description of interventions in rehabilitation research, facilitating both primary studies and systematic reviews. Another highlight has been the 5th Cochrane Rehabilitation Methodological Meeting, a global gathering focused on optimizing study designs for practical application in rehabilitation, which exemplifies their commitment to advancing the field. This work makes sure that future rehabilitation research and systematic reviews are of high quality. 

Cochrane Rehabilitation has expanded its reach through a diverse network of partners, including national, regional and international scientific societies, universities, hospitals, journals, and other rehabilitation stakeholders including consumers.  Their advisory board is composed of various stakeholder representatives and experts from various fields within rehabilitation, ensuring alignment with the evolving needs of the global rehabilitation community. They also work with Cochrane geographical groups to translate Cochrane evidence and dissemination materials into multiple languages. "Dissemination is central to what we do and our collaborations with geographical groups and external organisations enhance our efforts and uptake of evidence. We are proud to help foster a culture of knowledge exchange within the global rehabilitation community," says Chiara Arienti, Cochrane Rehabilitation Coordinator. 

One notable partnership has been with the World Health Organization. Through this collaboration, they have developed Cochrane evidence maps for various health conditions, contributing to the Be4rehab project, the REH-COVER action, and the 'Evidence relevant to' project'. Since 2023, Cochrane has been an official member of the World Rehabilitation Alliance, launched by the WHO to promote rehabilitation as an essential health service.  "Our involvement with the World Rehabilitation Alliance supports the focus on promoting rehabilitation as a critical component of health services, thereby enhancing access to quality rehabilitation services worldwide. We are proud that Cochrane Rehabilitation is contributing to bringing trusted evidence to support health decisions and services in rehabilitation globally," notes Carlotte Kiekens, Co-Director of Cochrane Rehabilitation.

Looking ahead, Cochrane Rehabilitation is excited about several new initiatives, including collaborative research projects that engage with rehabilitation researchers to provide methodological guidance from the protocol phase through our Methodological Committee. "Currently, we are particularly focusing on Health Policy and Systems Research in rehabilitation, aiming to provide evidence on strategies for strengthening rehabilitation within health systems," explains Pierre Côté, Chair of the Methodological Committee. This effort aligns with the World Health Assembly resolution, whose goal is to enhance access to quality rehabilitation services worldwide.

Cochrane Rehabilitation welcomes support and collaboration from other groups and organizations to amplify their impact. "We are particularly seeking support in health policy and systems research and efforts in the global south. Continuous funding is also essential to guarantee our future activities. We invite all individuals, groups, and organizations interested in rehabilitation to work with us," emphasizes Francesca Gimigliano,  Cochrane Rehabilitation's Communication Committee Chair. If you are interested in contributing to their mission, please email cochranerehab@dongnocchi.it. Whether you’re a researcher, clinician, policymaker, or advocate, there are numerous opportunities to get involved and make a difference in rehabilitation globally!

• Visit the Cochrane Rehabilitation website
• Follow Cochrane Rehabilitation on social media:
  • Facebook
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  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • X
• Find a Cochrane group in your country

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

A review published in 2015 found a reduction of atrial fibrillation in people undergoing heart surgery if they were given statins before surgery. However, the review was withdrawn in 2016 when questions were raised about some of the included studies. To accompany the publication of the updated review, a Cochrane Library editorial, titled Preoperative statins in cardiac surgery: a tale of small study bias or ‘the truth, and nothing but the truth’, takes a closer look at how the authors handled study registration.

Statins, initially hailed for their potential to reduce cardiovascular risks, have been a topic of debate in the context of cardiac surgery. A recently updated Cochrane review, led by Marques Antunes and colleagues, scrutinised randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared statin therapy with placebo in the perioperative period of elective cardiac surgery. The review included eight RCTs involving 5,592 participants, following stringent criteria to exclude studies that did not have proof of ethics approval or did not have a pre-registered protocol.

The findings indicate that statin use in the perioperative period offers little to no difference in outcomes such as atrial fibrillation, postoperative short-term mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, renal failure, and length of hospital stay. This comprehensive analysis challenges earlier suggestions of significant benefits from smaller, less robust studies.

Rui Providencia’s editorial underscores the critical role of methodological rigor in clinical research and the ongoing challenges posed by small study effects and potentially problematic clinical trials. Cochrane's efforts to exclude unreliable studies and focus on high-quality RCTs are highlighted as essential steps toward reliable evidence synthesis.

"The potential role of statins in patients undergoing cardiac surgery has been a matter of debate over recent years. In this editorial, we go through the important aspects raised by the authors of the recent Cochrane systematic review focusing on the topic."

- Rui Providencia 

The editorial and systematic review collectively underscore the need for cautious interpretation of past findings and the importance of ongoing research to establish clear clinical guidelines.

Read the Cochrane Library editorial:

Providencia R. Preoperative statins in cardiac surgery: a tale of small study bias or ‘the truth, and nothing but the truth’. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2024, Issue 1. Art. No.: ED000167. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.ED000167.

Monday, July 22, 2024

医療的に複雑な子どもたちのための包括的ケア・プログラム 本レビューの目的 このコクランレビューの目的は、医療的複雑性を持つ子どもたちにケアコーディネーションやその他のサービスを提供する包括的ケアプログラムが、このグループの子どもたちとその家族の結果(評価項目)を改善するかどうか、また医療サービスの利用と費用に影響を与えるかどうかを明らかにすることである。 要点 医療的複雑性を持つ子どもたちのための包括的ケアプログラムに関する研究は限られており、調査結果は慎重に扱われるべきである。 包括的ケアプログラムは、提供されたケアに対する子どもと家族の満足度を高めるかもしれない。しかし、子どもや親の健康、機能、生活の質(QOL)を向上させるかどうか、また医療費や家族の負担にどのような影響を与えるかについては、さらなる研究が必要である。 知りたかったこと 包括的なケアプログラムが医学的複雑性を持つ子どもたちに有効かどうかを知りたかった。包括的ケアプログラムは、子どもの治療チームのメンバー間のコミュニケーションを助け、子どもに最適なヘルスケアを提供することを目的としたケアコーディネーションを提供する 。 ケアコーディネーションには、治療計画の立案、結果や資源利用のモニタリング、医師との面会調整、不必要な検査やサービスの回避、医療従事者や家族間の情報共有、退院計画、介護者や地域サービスのトレーニン...

Specifications: Permanent – Full time
Salary: £43,000 per annum
Location: Remote working (UK office located in Central London)
Closing date:  12 June 2024

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 around the world. 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, Chief Executive Office and Finance and Corporate Services.

As the Executive Support Officer, you will play a pivotal role in providing high-level administrative, organizational, and logistical support to the Editor-in-Chief (EiC) and the senior Evidence Production & Methods (EPMD) team. This role is crucial in ensuring the efficient operation of EPMD projects and activities, as well as providing support to Cochrane’s Editorial Board. By managing the day-to-day administrative tasks and streamlining processes, you will enable the EiC and senior team to focus on strategic initiatives and critical projects.

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 everything 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 click “how to apply”.
• The deadline to receive your application is 10 June, 2024.
• 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, May 29, 2024 Category: Jobs

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Cochrane's strength lies in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane Geographic Groups represent Cochrane in their host country, advocate for the use of Cochrane evidence in health policy and practice, and support Cochrane's members and supporters who live there. Here we spotlight the impact of Cochrane Japan, who are dedicated to enhancing Japanese healthcare through evidence-based decision-making.

Since 2012 various Cochrane activities happened in Japan but it wasn't until 2014 that a branch in Tokyo was established with an official Cochrane Japan being established in 2017. Today with over 200 members, Cochrane Japan is committed to producing accurate, up-to-date Cochrane reviews and providing support and training to new authors.

Japan holds over four training workshops annually for new authors of Cochrane systematic reviews,  healthcare professionals, and researchers, covering interventions and diagnostic accuracy tests.  "Cochrane Japan workshops bring globally recognized methodology expertise to an accessible platform for future Cochrane authors. These sessions are crucial for fostering evidence-based practice in Japan," says Norio Watanabe, Director of Cochrane Japan. Cochrane Japan collaborates with Cochrane geographic groups in East Asia through the East Asia Cochrane Alliance (EACA), hosting meetings and training workshops. These collaborations enhance the impact of their work by fostering regional cooperation and knowledge sharing.

The group's translation efforts significantly impact healthcare practices and policies in Japan, ensuring that medical professionals and the general population have access to high-quality, evidence-based information.  Cochrane Japan translates and publishes more than 200 plain language summaries of Cochrane reviews in Japanese each year.  There are more than 2900 translations of Cochrane evidence freely available for anyone to search and read. "Distributing plain language summaries in Japanese helps bridge the gap between complex research and everyday healthcare decisions. It's important that people have the latest health evidence in the language they can most easily understand," says Watanabe.

Looking ahead, Cochrane Japan plans to offer free access to RevMan Web for all its members, encouraging more systematic reviews under Cochrane methodology. The group also seeks enthusiastic volunteers for translating plain language summaries and prospective authors for Cochrane reviews. "We welcome anyone in Japan who is passionate about evidence-based healthcare to join us in our mission," Watanabe adds.

• Visit the Cochrane Japan website
• Follow Cochrane Japan on X
  
• Follow Cochrane Japan on Facebook
• Search and view Cochrane evidence in Japanese 
• Find a Cochrane Geographic Group in your country

Wednesday, May 29, 2024