CCInfo: Electronic news bulletin of The Cochrane Collaboration 19 April 2007 Contents: A. Methodology reviews in The Cochrane Library B. E-learning pilot C. BMJ Change page D. Wiley agreement with Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology E. Funding for Cochrane reviews in Iran F. Reviews for Africa Programme G. Cochrane meetings H. 15th Cochrane Colloquium, Brazil – abstract submission deadline 14 May 2007 I. Course - Leeds Systematic Review J. Workshop - Systematic Review Protocol Development K. Job - Senior Investigator L. Next Issue of CCInfo XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX A. Sender: Ben Hickling [BHicklin@wiley.co.uk] Subject: Methodology reviews in The Cochrane Library The Cochrane Database of Methodology Reviews (CDMR; Methods Reviews) was merged into the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR; Cochrane Reviews) with the publication of Issue 2, 2007, of The Cochrane Library on 18th April. Why is this being done? This request originated from the Cochrane Methodology Review Group and was approved by the Cochrane Collaboration Publishing Policy and Steering Groups. All Cochrane reviews will now be in a single database, paving the way for further types of reviews (diagnostic test accuracy reviews and overviews of reviews, previously known as umbrella reviews) to be introduced in the future. Other benefits of the merge are the inclusion of methodology reviews in MEDLINE and having them indexed by ISI/Thomson Scientific for the Science Citation Index. Both of these will increase the detection of the reviews and their authors. All 12 Cochrane reviews and 10 protocols that make up CDMR will be transferred to CDSR and flagged as 'new' as they will be new to CDSR. We are contacting those users of The Cochrane Library on Wiley InterScience who have saved searches restricted to CDMR to notify them of the merge. From Issue 2, 2007, onwards, to restrict a search to methodology reviews only, go to the Advanced Search screen and select "The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Cochrane Reviews)" and type the text "HM-METHOD" into one of the text search boxes above this, with "Search All Text" selected from the drop-down menu next to it. (This is the 'editorial group code' for the Cochrane Methodology Review Group and will be contained in all methodology reviews and protocols.) Should you require any further instruction please contact our online customer support services www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/rightnow. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX B. Sender: Diane Gal [Diane.Gal@port.ac.uk] Subject: E-learning pilot – examples needed A team of educators and systematic reviewers at the University of Portsmouth are currently working with the UK Cochrane Centre Training team to develop interactive online exercises to help train Cochrane authors. The idea behind the training materials is that the reviewers will work through modules (paralleling the set-up of the reviewers’ handbook) as needed to improve their understanding of the principles behind, and process of, a systematic review. In order to inform the development of the scenarios and activities we would like to ask all who would be interested to send some short examples of the main learning needs that they have faced as an author or the common learning needs authors have, as seen by Review Groups Coordinators and Editors. Please send all comments, questions and examples to Diane Gal (diane.gal@port.ac.uk ; +44 2384 4428). Any review group and authors who would be willing to share some of the earlier versions of their protocols and reviews and some of the peer review comments and process of improving the review, as well as anyone who would like to share tips for updating reviews, please do contact Diane Gal (diane.gal@port.ac.uk; +44 2384 4428). XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX C. Sender: Mabel Chew [MChew@bmj.com] Subject: BMJ Change page The BMJ is seeking suggestions for an exciting new series called the Change page. This aims to alert clinicians to the immediate need for a change in practice in line with current evidence (see BMJ editor Fiona Godlee's recent Editor's Choice, "The Change Page", http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/334/7594/0 ). As many topics covered by Cochrane reviews are likely to be suitable for this series, we'd like to invite your suggestions of possible topics. These should bear in mind criteria for this series: 1. the proposed change should be a single intervention with clear therapeutic/diagnostic advantage for a reasonably common clinical problem; 2. it must be implementable; and 3. it must be underpinned by compelling and robust evidence. We'd welcome suggestions from all Cochrane contributors. Please send these in the form of a few brief dot points, stating the specific change proposed and how it fits each criterion above, to changepage@bmj.com. You may also wish to suggest potential authors (yourselves and/or others). The BMJ Change page team will review these proposals, then commission articles as appropriate. You may also wish to look at our first published Change page article, "Don’t use minocycline as first line oral antibiotic in acne", by McManus and Iheanacho www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/334/7585/154. We do hope you will be able to join us in this new venture, as contributors or readers! Mabel Chew Associate editor, BMJ XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX D. Sender: Williams Hywel [Hywel.Williams@nottingham.ac.uk] Subject: Wiley agreement with Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology The Cochrane Skin Group is pleased to announce that through an agreement with Wiley, summaries of Cochrane reviews relevant to practicing dermatologists will be published regularly in The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. These summaries, under the heading ‘From the Cochrane Library’, will encourage the practice of evidence-based dermatology. Hywel Williams, the Co-ordinating Editor of the Cochrane Skin Group, commented that the agreement was a win-win situation for both The Cochrane Library and the Journal - increasing dissemination of The Cochrane Library to a much wider clinical audience in the US who might otherwise not have seen Cochrane Skin Group reviews, and also providing the Journal with interesting high quality clinical content for its primarily clinical readership. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX E. Sender: Mark Lodge [mlodge@canet.org] Subject: Funding for Cochrane reviews in Iran The Cochrane Cancer Network is pleased to announce that the steering committee of the National Network of Cancer Research Centers in the Islamic Republic of Iran has approved funding for any Cochrane reviews related to cancer undertaken by Iranian scientists. The first Cochrane Cancer Network workshop will be held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran 28-29 April 2007. For details please contact Mona Nasser (monanasser1@googlemail.com) or Mark Lodge (mlodge@canet.org). XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX F. Sender: Taryn Young [taryn.young@mrc.ac.za] Subject: Reviews for Africa Programme Reviews for Africa Programme (RAP): Training in the science of research synthesis for Cochrane authors of systematic reviews RAP, supported by a grant from the Nuffield Commonwealth Programme, through The Nuffield Foundation, is a capacity building initiative that trains African health researchers and providers in the science of research synthesis and assist them to initiate and prepare a Cochrane review, ultimately for publication on The Cochrane Library. The Programme consists of three phases, and successful completion of each phase will lead to progression to the next phase. Phase 1 is a four week protocol development course to equip participants with the knowledge and research synthesis skills necessary for initiating, completing, and maintaining a Cochrane review. Phase 2 includes the publication of the protocol and initial preparation of the Cochrane review while phase 3, a review finishing school, assists participants to complete the Cochrane review to the standard that it can go for peer review. Potential applicants must already have a title registered with a Cochrane Review Group in a topic relevant to Africa, particularly HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Applications are now open for the 2007 intake. The application deadline is 11 May 2007. Details and the application form are available on the RAP website: www.mrc.ac.za/cochrane/rap.htm. Review Groups with authors that may be interested in applying should contact Taryn Young taryn.young@mrc.ac.za) at the South African Cochrane Centre. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX G. Sender: Peter C. Gøtzsche [pcg@cochrane.dk] Subject: Cochrane meetings We are happy to announce that The Nordic Cochrane Centre will host the mid-year meetings for the Steering Group and the centre directors in 2009 in Copenhagen in late April: 20-21 April: Centre and Branch Directors' Meeting. 22 April: Symposium organised by The Nordic Cochrane Centre. 23 April: Day of recuperation/sightseeing, organised by The Nordic Cochrane Centre. 24-26 April: Steering Group meeting. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX H. Sender: Humberto Saconato [sciprog.colloquium@bireme.org] Subject: 15th Cochrane Colloquium, Brazil – abstract submission deadline 14 May 2007 Abstract submission for the 15th Cochrane Colloquium, São Paulo, Brazil, 23-27 Oct. 2007 is now available. Please create a personal space from the official Colloquium webpage www.colloquiumbrasil.info/php/index.php and then follow the submission instructions. Deadline: 14 May 2007 Contact: For more information please contact Humberto Saconato, Brazilian Cochrane Centre, e-mail: sciprog.colloquium@bireme.org. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX I. Sender: Jun Xia [J.Xia@leeds.ac.uk] Subject: Course - Leeds Systematic Review Course: Leeds Systematic Review Course Host: University of Leeds Date: 8-11 May 2007 Location: Worsley Building, University of Leeds Cost: £550. All learning materials, lunch and refreshments are included. Details: This course will appeal to all those interested in completing a Cochrane-style review. Experienced tutors and facilitators will be available to give delegates practical and individual advice. Study methods are small group teaching, workshops, library-based interactive tutorials with hands on practical work at computer stations and group work. Contact: For course content enquiries Jun Xia, Tel: 0113 343 1896 Email: j.xia@leeds.ac.uk XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX J. Sender: Prathap Tharyan [prathap@cmcvellore.ac.in] Subject: Workshop - Systematic Review Protocol Development Course: Systematic Review Protocol Development Workshop Host: South Asian Cochrane Network Date: 25, 26, 27 June 2007 Location: Christian Medical College, Vellore, INDIA Cost: Rs. 500. All learning materials, lunch and refreshments are included. Details: This course is meant all those interested in developing a protocol for a Cochrane review and have a registered title or are working on a protocol. Experienced tutors and facilitators will be available to give delegates practical and individual advice. Study methods are didactic teaching, small group discussions on formulating a research question, practical sessions on extracting data and assessing quality of studies, hands on practical work with RevMan at computer stations and group work. Preference will be given to people residing in a South Asian country. Contact: For course content enquiries please contact Prathap Tharyan, Tel: +91 416 2284499/ 2284519 Email: prathap@cmcvellore.ac.in / cochrane@cmcvellore.ac.in Registration form: available at www.cochrane-sacn.org XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX K. Sender: Diane Doctor [doctord@ohsu.edu] Subject: Job - Senior Investigator Position: Senior Investigator Organisation: OHSU Evidence-based Practice Center Location: Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, Oregon, U.S. Application deadline: Contact: Please email your curriculum vitae and cover letter as soon as possible to: Diane Doctor (doctord@ohsu.edu) Oregon Health & Science University Mail Code: BICC Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road Portland, OR 97239-3098 Web: http://healthsciences.academickeys.com/seeker_job_display.php?dothis=display&job[IDX]=10063 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX L. Sender: Cheryl Arratoon [cochrane@uottawa.ca] Subject: Next Issue of CCInfo The next issue of CCInfo will be published 3 May 2007. Please submit your items to cochrane@uottawa.ca and please include "CCInfo" in the subject line. Unless you request otherwise, your submissions to the CCInfo may be duplicated in other regular Cochrane Collaboration news channels such as Cochrane News and the Cochrane Collaboration web site, at the discretion of the editors. regards, Cheryl Cheryl Arratoon Knowledge Broker Canadian Cochrane Network and Centre 1 Stewart St (227) Ottawa, ON, Canada K1N 6N5 Email: cochrane@uottawa.ca Web: www.cochrane.uottawa.ca XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX To subscribe to or unsubscribe from the CCInfo list, please go to http://lists.cochrane.org/mailman/listinfo/ccinfo, or contact the Editor at cochrane@uottawa.ca