CCInfo: Electronic news bulletin of The Cochrane Collaboration 3 April 2008 Contents: A. Reminder-Revision to Cochrane Handbook B. PaPaS Review Group News C. Updates from US Cochrane Center D. Closure of the Boston Branch E. Release of GRADEpro F. Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Workshop-Netherlands G. Completing a Cochrane Review Workshop-USA H. Job Ad - Research Assistant I. Next Issue of CCInfo XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX A. Sender: Julian Higgins [julian.higgins@mrc-bsu.cam.ac.uk] Subject: Revision to Cochrane Handbook Reminder to all Cochrane review authors and entities, A major revision of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (Version 5.0.0) is now available. Details are available at www.cochrane.org/resources/handbook The browseable version of the Handbook can be accessed directly at www.cochrane-handbook.org XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX B. Sender: Jessica Thomas [jessica.thomas@pru.ox.ac.uk] Subject: Cochrane Pain, Palliative & Supportive Care (PaPaS) RG News PaPaS will have a change of Co-ordinating Editors as of the 1 April 2008. Having been involved since 1996 Phil Wiffen will now step down as Co-ordinating Editor for PaPaS to concentrate on his role as Director of Training at the UK Cochrane Centre. However, his expertise will continue to support the review group as he plans to stay on as an Editor. Columba Quigley, the Deputy Co-ordinating Editor for the PaPaS Review Group, has also now resigned from her post as she commences a full time DPhil in Literature. However, it's not all bad news for PaPaS: Chris Eccleston, who has been an Editor for the group, has agreed to come on board as the Co-ordinating Editor with effect from April 2008. We hope he enjoys the role and the PaPaS editorial team are very much looking forward to working with him. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX C. Sender: Kay Dickersin [kdickers@jhsph.edu] Subject: Updates from US Cochrane Center New Staff: Janie Gordon, ScM., Community Outreach Advisor, joined the US Cochrane Center staff in early March to support and expand CUE projects and membership. She has worked extensively with advocacy organizations dedicated to increasing citizen access to and understanding of scientific/medical information. Consumers United for Evidence-based Health Care (CUE) Two new online resources: Six minute video available which highlights the role of consumers in promoting evidence- based healthcare. Features CUE members. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6933195048050878202; http://youtube.com/watch?v=Vug62ASCjcI Online Course for consumer advocates entitled Understanding Evidence-based Healthcare: A Foundation for Action. The course is organized in 6 modules which can be completed in 10-15 minute segments. It is designed to help consumer advocates successfully navigate the world of medical information, critically appraise reports from research studies, and influence the development of responsible public policy in healthcare. http://apps1.jhsph.edu/cochrane/CUEwebcourse.htm North American Conference on Systematic Reviews July 10-11, 2008: Priority Setting for Systematic Reviews. Hosted by the US Cochrane Center, and to be held in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. For more information contact Janie Gordon at jlgordon@jhsph.edu. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX D. Sender: Lisa Lassiter [llassite@jhsph.edu] Subject: Closure of the Boston Branch of the US Cochrane Center It is with regret that we announce the closing of the Boston Branch of the US Cochrane Center. We recognize here the many past contributions by Joseph Lau, Director, and Branch members to the Cochrane Collaboration and look forward to their continued active participation. The main office of the US Cochrane Center in Baltimore will remain as the primary point of contact for the work of The Cochrane Collaboration in the United States. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX E. Sender: Nancy Santesso [santesso@uottawa.ca] Subject: Release of GRADEpro software   We would like to announce that the GRADEprofiler(GRADEpro) was officially launched on 27 March 2008 and is available for download at http://www.cc-ims.net/gradepro. With the release of RevMan 5 and the new Cochrane Handbook, review authors are encouraged to include a Summary of Findings Table in their review. The GRADEpro software leads authors through the creation of these Tables. The website provides users with the latest version of the GRADEprofiler 3.1 (Beta Version), resources and support for its use, including introductory materials, FAQs and contacts for support.    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX F. Sender: Mariska Leeflang [m.m.leeflang@amc.uva.nl] Subject: Systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy workshop   Workshop: Cochrane Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy a two-day workshop for Cochrane review authors Date: 19 - 20 June 2008 Location: Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Details: Hosted by the Continental Europe Support Unit (CESU) and UK Support Unit (UKSU), this workshop is for review authors who are planning to do a Cochrane SRDTA. The objective is to inform the participants about the peculiarities around SRDTAs and to train them to prepare and conduct an SRDTA. The workshop will focus mainly on methodological challenges around SRDTAs. Contact: http://srdta.cochrane.org/en/newPage2.html (or send an e-mail to CESU@amc.uva.nl)   XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX G. Sender: Ann Ervin [aervin@jhsph.edu] Subject: Completing a Cochrane Systematic Review Workshop Event: Completing a Cochrane Systematic Review Workshop Date: 16 - 18 July 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland (USA) Details: This workshop guides participants through the steps of developing a systematic review and includes presentations about Cochrane methodology and hands-on practice using the Cochrane Collaboration's Review Manager (RevMan) software. Priority registration is for those interested in contributing to the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group. Those with Cochrane registered titles, protocols, and reviews as well as those interested in learning more about systematic reviews are also accepted, space permitting. Contact: Ann Ervin (uscevg@jhsph.edu) or go to the website http://www.cochraneeyes.org/workshops/systematicreview.htm for more information. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX H. Sender: Jo Jordan [j.jordan@cphc.keele.ac.uk] Subject: Job Ad - Research Assistant, Staffordshire Position: Research Assistant: Systematic Review (1 Year Fixed-Term) Organisation: Institute For Primary Care & Health Sciences Primary Care Musculoskeletal Research Centre Location: Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire Application Deadline: 21 April 2008 (with interviews to be held 12 May 2008 Details: Starting Salary: Grade 6a £25,134 You will join a successful team of researchers to conduct a systematic review of the best available evidence evaluating the impact of back, neck and upper limb pain on performance and attendance at work. The project also includes a review of the outcome measures used to assess work performance for people with these conditions. As well as a report to the funding body, you will contribute to writing up this research for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presenting the findings at conferences. You will have a degree in a relevant subject, with knowledge and experience in literature searching and critical appraisal. Contact: For further information please contact Jo Jordan, Research Information Manager (j.jordan@cphc.keele.ac.uk) Full job packs are available from Human Resources Department, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, fax: 01782 583471, email vacancies@keele.ac.uk or www.keele.ac.uk/depts/uso/hr/cwisvacs.htm Please quote post reference: RE08/09INT XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX I. Sender: Cheryl Arratoon [cochrane@uottawa.ca] Subject: Next Issue of CCInfo The next issue of CCInfo will be published 17 April 2008. 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, 2nd Floor Ottawa, ON, Canada K1N 6N5 Email: cochrane@uottawa.ca Web: www.ccnc.cochrane.org 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