3.4.4.1 Understanding the differences between Fields and other Cochrane entities

Before establishing a Field it is useful not only to understand the defining characteristics of Fields but also to recognise the difference between Fields and other types of Cochrane entities.

Fields and Cochrane Review Groups

Fields provide a range of services (described above) that enable Cochrane Review Groups to provide a product: relevant, high quality systematic reviews.

Most Cochrane Review Groups are essentially problem-based. Their attention is necessarily focused around the relatively narrow band of health care issues defined in their Scope statements. Fields have the responsibility for representing the interests of broad dimensions of health care and promoting the aims and work of The Cochrane Collaboration within these areas. Their objectives, and their approach to achieving them, are therefore necessarily more diffuse than those of Cochrane Review Groups.

Although they are looking at different healthcare problems, all Cochrane Review Groups essentially operate in the same way. They observe an established procedure for preparing and maintaining reviews and work to the same methodological and performance quality criteria. The terrain of its own particular area of health care largely determines the way a Field operates. Not all Fields will give equal weight to the functions described above, nor will they be able to use the same strategies to achieve their objectives. Indeed, goals will differ from Field to Field, dependant on what the Field Co-ordinator feels can realistically be achieved.

Fields and Cochrane Centres

Fields and Cochrane Centres complement and counterbalance each other’s work. Like Fields, Cochrane Centres do not produce reviews but provide a range of services designed to support Cochrane Review Groups and facilitate the systematic review process.

One of the many responsibilities of Cochrane Centres is to serve as a source of information about The Cochrane Collaboration and to provide support for Cochrane contributors from all areas of health care within a defined geographical region. Fields serve as sources of information about The Cochrane Collaboration, and provide support to people becoming involved with The Cochrane Collaboration, from all geographical regions, within a defined area of health care.

Similarly, a number of Cochrane Centres are responsible for searching general medical journals published in their geographical region. Fields accept the responsibility for co-ordinating searches of the general specialist journals. These efforts allow the Cochrane Review Groups to refine their search strategies still further and concentrate on searching a smaller number of specialist journals pertinent to their area.

Cochrane Centres are also responsible for the performance and output of Review Groups within their geographical region and for promoting accessibility to The Cochrane Library to healthcare professionals, consumers and others. Fields have a corresponding responsibility to help ensure that the Cochrane Review Groups prepare and maintain high quality systematic reviews appropriate to their special dimension of health care and that these systematic reviews are accessible to their fellow specialists and consumers.