CCInfo: Electronic news bulletin of The Cochrane Collaboration 25 January 2007 Contents: A. New Co-ordinating Editor Representative for the CCSG B. Changes at the Neurological Network C. Opportunities to become a DARE Abstractor D. News from the Cochrane Consumer Network E. Subscribe to Health Care of Older People’s Newsletter F. Cochrane Fellowships on the Island of Ireland 2007 G. Announcing Two New Cochrane Collaboration Funds H. Continental European Cochrane Entities Meeting 2007 I. 2007 International Campbell Colloquium J. Course - Leeds Systematic Review K. International Courses in Epidemiology and Biostatistics L. Next Issue of CCInfo XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX A. Sender: Claire Allen [CAllen@cochrane.org] Subject: New Co-ordinating Editor Representative for the CCSG Please note, and forward to the members of your entity, that Jonathan Craig (Co-ordinating Editor of the Renal Group) has been elected to represent Co-ordinating Editors on the Cochrane Collaboration Steering Group, effective immediately - congratulations, Jonathan! Thanks to Patricia Atkinson, who checked my counting of the votes. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX B. Sender: Debbie Jordan [debbie.jordan@unimi.it] Subject: Changes at the Neurological Network The Cochrane Neurological Network would like to announce the retirement of its Director, Livia Candelise, and the departure of its Coordinator, Debbie Jordan, as the Field moves from Milan to Perugia under a new Director, Teresa Cantisani, and a new Coordinator, Kathy Mahan. Livia Candelise initiated efforts to establish the Neurological Network in 1993 and registered it with the Cochrane Collaboration in 2000. Over the years she has made many contributions to the Cochrane Collaboration and the field of evidence-based neurology. She will continue on as a member of the Neurological Network Advisory Board. Debbie Jordan joined the Neurological Network in 2001. She will continue to be based in Milan and will be available for future collaboration with Cochrane entities on a freelance basis. Please write to debbie.jordan@fastwebnet.it or call +39 347 620 3750 if opportunities arise. Teresa Cantisani, a neurologist and active proponent of evidence-based medicine, is pleased to take over direction of the Neurological Network, effective immediately. She is already familiar with the work of the Neurological Network, having been an active Field member for many years. She will be supported in her role by three other Perugia-based neurologists and key members of the Neurological Network: Maria Grazia Celani, Enrico Righetti and Stefano Ricci. Kathy Mahan is an American who has been based in Perugia for many years. She is new to the Cochrane Collaboration, but has already been working closely with Livia, Debbie and Teresa for several months and even attended her first Cochrane Colloquium in Dublin in October 2006. The new contact details of the Cochrane Neurological Network are the following. Please update all email distribution lists with the new Neurological Network email address, cochrane.neuronet@sedes.it (instead of unimi.it). This up-to-date information can also be found on Archie. Teresa Cantisani, Director: cantisani@yahoo.com Kathy Mahan, Coordinator: kathy.mahan@sedes.it Cochrane Neurological Network Osservatorio Epidemiologico Regione Umbria c/o Agenzia SEDES Via M. Angeloni, 61 06124 Perugia ITALY Tel: +39 075 5026147 or +39 075 5056987 Fax: +39 075 5058796 Email: cochrane.neuronet@sedes.it Web: www.cochraneneuronet.org Finally, we would like to thank Livia for her years of dedication, service and continued support of the Cochrane Neurological Network. We wish her a happy and healthy retirement and look forward to working with her in her continuing role as a member of the Advisory Board. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX C. Sender: Julie Glanville [gmm5@york.ac.uk] Subject: Opportunities to become a DARE Abstractor Would you like to develop your critical appraisal skills further and contribute to an important source for evidence-based healthcare? Then please contact the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) at the University of York who are looking for researchers to write abstracts for DARE (Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects). DARE contains over 4000 abstracts of quality assessed and critically appraised systematic reviews. The database focuses on the effects of interventions used in health and social care. CRD is looking for abstract writers with experience of systematic reviews, critical appraisal and a background in a health related field. However, individuals with experience and critical appraisal skills in related areas, or non-English language skills, would be considered. A DARE abstractor undertakes to read published research papers and reports (which may vary in length and complexity) and to prepare abstracts according to pre-specified guidelines. There is a training package for external writers, providing further hints, tips, and examples. New writers are expected to work through the training package, which involves writing abstracts and receiving detailed feedback. Once this has been completed and the abstracts are considered to be of acceptable quality, the trainee writer can commence paid work. CRD pays on a per abstract basis, based on a personal contract, with either a monthly quota or an annual total. To see examples of DARE abstracts, you can search either through the Cochrane Library or via the CRD web site. For further details on becoming a DARE abstractor, please contact the DARE Manager, Georgina MacKenzie on +44 (0)1904 321039 or gmm5@york.ac.uk. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX D. Sender: Janet Wale [socrates@q-net.net.au] Subject: News from the Cochrane Consumer Network This is a busy time for the Cochrane Consumer Network. The Consumer Network (CCNet) requested to become a Cochrane Field in 2005. After much discussion and consultation, the Monitoring and Registration Group approved this request in June 2006. The necessary changes have now been made to the Consumer Network's module and it is now listed as a Field in Archie, and in The Cochrane Library 2007, Issue 1 (released on 24th January). CCNet has also put together a January, 2007 Newsletter that includes reports on the Cochrane Colloquium in Dublin and an initial analysis of responses from a web-based survey of the CCNet e-mail discussion list. Thank you to all who responded to this survey: consumers, Review Group representatives and others. We will use the survey results to help us to be more effective. CCNet has initiated a move to strengthen its links with Cochrane Centres and their Branches, by identifying consumer representatives from each to contribute to the governance of CCNet. This will also add to our diversity. We would like to hear from you! Please email ccnet-contact@cochrane.de XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX E. Sender: David James Stott [djs1w@clinmed.gla.ac.uk] Subject: Subscribe to Health Care of Older People’s Newsletter The first issue of the e-newsletter for the Health Care of Older People Field is now available. To subscribe, please email heather.moorehead@clinmed.gla.ac.uk. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX F. Sender: Mike Clarke [mclarke@cochrane.co.uk] Subject: Cochrane Fellowships on the Island of Ireland 2007 The Health Research Board in Dublin, Ireland and the Research and Development Office in Belfast, Northern Ireland are offering Cochrane Fellowships for at least four people on the island of Ireland to work on Cochrane reviews. These Fellowships are intended for suitably qualified individuals, resident in Northern Ireland or Ireland and working in the area of health and social care. They provide each Fellow with protected time on an indicative part-time basis of up to two days per week for up to two years to conduct a Cochrane review. The award will be sufficiently flexible to accommodate a variety of patterns to reflect the specific working circumstances of the individual applicants. The successful applicants will be expected to complete a Cochrane review during the term of the fellowship and to commit to the maintenance of the review thereafter. The awards will support appropriate systematic review training, the applicant's salary costs and research expenses. Further information is available from the following websites: Ireland: www.hrb.ie/display_content.php?page_id=144 Northern Ireland: www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/ahp-rdo_cochrane_collaboration_opportunities_2007.pdf XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX G. Sender: Diana Wyatt [dwyatt@cochrane.org] Subject: Announcing Two New Cochrane Collaboration Funds Requests for proposals for two new funds within the Collaboration have recently been sent to all Cochrane entities. The two funds are the Opportunities Fund and the Prioritisation Projects Fund. Opportunities Fund: This Fund has been created by the Cochrane Collaboration Steering Group to provide entities with an opportunity to obtain core Collaboration funds to undertake project work of their own initiative. The Fund is organized as an annual competition applying for resources from a fixed budget. It is anticipated that several projects will be funded each year, but no maximum funding per project is specified. For the 2007 awards, an overall total of GBP 100,000 is available. The closing date is 23 February 2007. Prioritisation Projects Fund: This Fund has been created by the Cochrane Collaboration Steering Group to seek to build on the experience and enthusiasm of entities in the area of prioritisation of key review topics, and better meeting stakeholder expectations. The Fund is organized as a competition applying for resources from a fixed budget. It is anticipated that several projects will be funded, but no maximum funding per project is specified. An overall total of GBP 100,000 is available. The closing date is 30 March 2007. Further details of each fund were attached to the messages sent to all entities, and can also be obtained from the website: www.cochrane.org/jobs/index.shtml. If you have any queries, please send them by email to Diana Wyatt in the Collaboration Secretariat (dwyatt@cochrane.org). XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX H. Sender: Claire Glenton [claire.glenton@kunnskapssenteret.no] Subject: Continental European Cochrane Entities Meeting 2007 Meeting: 2007 Continental European Cochrane Entities Meeting (CECEM) Date: 13 and 14 June 2007 Location: Norway Details: To minimize travel, the Continental Europe Support Unit for Diagnostic Test Accuracy Reviews is also planning a workshop about diagnostic reviews in Norway on June 15th. The workshop is for (co-ordinating) editors and Centre staff that are involved with training. More information about the CECEM programme will follow later. If you are interested in coming to the meeting please sign up to the mailing list for future announcements and information: http://lists.cochrane.org/mailman/listinfo/cecem XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX I. Sender: Kim Brickhouse [KBrickhouse@AIR.ORG] Subject: 2007 International Campbell Colloquium Conference: The 7th Annual International Campbell Collaboration Colloquium - Quality, credibility and utility: The relevance of systematic reviews Host: The Campbell Collaboration Date: 14 – 16 May 2007 Location: London, England Details: For more details visit the conference website: www.campbellcollaboration.org/ Deadline for submission of abstracts: 2 February 2007 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX J. 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 K. Sender: Stefania Boccia [sboccia@rm.unicatt.it] Subject: International Courses in Epidemiology and Biostatistics Course: Modern Methods in Epidemiology and Biostatistics (4 weeks) Date: 12 Nov to 6 Dec 2007 Location: Rome Cost: 1 week participation:€ 1,300; 2 weeks participation:€ 2,400; 3 weeks participation: € 3,300; 4 weeks participation:€ 4,000. Tuition fees include course materials (no books), lunch and coffee-breaks, course attendance and the use of an internet connection. It does not include board and lodgings, travel and other living costs. Details: www.rm.unicatt.it/igiene/epidemiology 12-16 November - Epidemiologic Principles & Methods; Prof. Kenneth J. Rothman, Vice President for Epidemiology Research, RTI Health Solutions, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA 19-23 November - Clinical Epidemiology; Prof. Albert Hofman, Professor of Epidemiology at the Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands 26-30 November - Regression Analysis; Prof. Stanley Lemeshow. Professor of Biostatistics at the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA 3-7 December - Survival Analysis; Prof. David W. Hosmer. Professor of Biostatistics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA. For each single Course only the first 40 admission requests will be considered. Contact: For requests on the scientific or organizational aspects, contact Stefania Boccia (sboccia@rm.unicatt.it) or Giuseppe La Torre (giuseppe.latorre@rm.unicatt.it). XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX L. Sender: Cheryl Arratoon [cochrane@uottawa.ca] Subject: Next Issue of CCInfo The next issue of CCInfo will be published 8 February 2007. Please submit your items to cochrane@uottawa.ca and 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