3.2.3.6 Managing areas of common interest

Different Cochrane Review Groups often have areas of interest in common, and this is important to consider when establishing a Group (see section 3.2.2.6) and as the Group grows. For example, the treatment of neurocysticercosis is relevant both to the Infectious Diseases Group and to the Epilepsy Group. Such intersecting areas of interest need liaison between Cochrane Review Groups so that effort is not wasted in producing duplicate reviews, and opportunities for collaboration are grasped.

There is great potential for across-group collaboration on a particular review, either informally or by two authors from different Groups working together on one review (which would be incorporated in one or other of the relevant modules for transmission to the Parent Database). Editors need to stay in touch with their Cochrane Centres and other Cochrane Review Groups to receive support and ensure that areas of common interest are managed in a spirit of collaboration. The Cochrane Review Group newsletters are a good way to communicate to others the activity within a Group, both to people within and outside that Group. There are electronic mailing lists for Co-ordinating Editors and Managing Editors which are also useful in these situations.