In the times of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must answer the time-sensitive needs of health decision makers as fast as possible, while simultaneously ensuring that the scientific imperative of methodological rigor is satisfied. We are working hard to speed up the normal process for important Cochrane systematic reviews. In response to this we have:
- Created a fast-tracked Editorial Service and documentation
- Created Interim Methods Guidance for Rapid Reviews
- Prioritized questions while working closely with front-line healthcare workers and health agencies
- Started work on a Rapid Review that will focus on several quarantine questions
We will be continuously adding updates and additions to this page as we progress.
Fast-Tracked Editorial Services
We have put resources and systems in place to support swift production, editing, and publication as questions are prioritized.
We have created a Fast-Track and Centralized Editorial Services team and have the following documentation available:
- A standard workflow
- A protocol template
- Full review template -- in progress and coming soon
Interim Methods Guidance
The Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group has developed provisional Rapid Review methods recommendations for Cochrane and others in the wider knowledge synthesis community to use. We encourage the use of this interim guidance and welcome your feedback at: rapidreviews@cochrane.at
Prioritizing Questions
Working closely with our global Cochrane network, the Cochrane Consumer Network, front-line healthcare workers, and health agencies, we are identifying and prioritizing the production of rapid reviews to respond to key clinical questions.
We have created a searchable website to help researchers find and respond to the most important questions and produce urgent and high-quality rapid reviews with minimum duplication of effort. You can use the Cochrane COVID Rapid Reviews website to view the questions already submitted and filter by their status, type, and priority level. This page will be updated as new questions are submitted and work is done -this site is under development as we move towards an official launch shortly.
- View the Cochrane COVID Rapid Reviews website (under development)
Current Rapid Review Work
We are currently working on the following reviews:
- The Effectiveness of Quarantine to Control the Coronavirus Disease 2019: a Rapid Review
- Adverse effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in acute viral respiratory infections
- The efficacy of chemical disinfectants on the concentration of human-associated coronaviruses SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2 on stainless steel surfaces: a network meta-analysis
