Evidently Cochrane aims to make Cochrane evidenceCochrane Reviews are systematic reviews. In systematic reviews we search for and summarize studies that answer a specific research question (e.g. is paracetamol effective and safe for treating back pain?). The studies are identified, assessed, and summarized by using a systematic and predefined approach. They inform recommendations for healthcare and research. really accessible, and to encourage discussion about it, through blogs which usually feature new or updated Cochrane reviewsCochrane Reviews are systematic reviews. In systematic reviews we search for and summarize studies that answer a specific research question (e.g. is paracetamol effective and safe for treating back pain?). The studies are identified, assessed, and summarized by using a systematic and predefined approach. They inform recommendations for healthcare and research. on a health topic. Occasionally, we also have a special series with multiple blogs, and other resources, on one topic. It is for everyone who is interested in finding and using the best quality evidence to inform decisions about health. Read more about how we write the blogs.
For patients, carers and anyone making health choices
Many of the blogs are written for people making choices about their own health or supporting friends and family in doing so and we have an ongoing series of blogs to help you make everyday health choices.
We give accessible summaries of reliable evidence, giving an explanation for medical and research terms when we need to use them. Many of the blogs are about treatments, but not all. Some of these blogs are written by people with lived experience of the health condition being discussed, or with a contribution from them, and we really value their insights.
For healthcare professionals (HCPs) and clinical support staff
We think that the blogs written for a non-medical audience will be of interest to healthcare professionals and clinical support staff too, as Cochrane evidence on interventions is important for both, but some of the blogs are written primarily for those working in health care. We have ongoing series for nurses Evidence for Nursing, midwives Evidence for Maternity Care, and allied health professionals Evidence for Allied Health. We also hope the blogs will be useful to students interested in health evidence.
For health researchers
As well as finding blogs about Cochrane evidence in your health area of interest, you may be interested in other blogs which highlight challenges for research and current problems which are common across fields, such as the need for core outcomeOutcomes are measures of health (for example quality of life, pain, blood sugar levels) that can be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of a treatment or other intervention (for example a drug, surgery, or exercise). In research, the outcomes considered most important are ‘primary outcomes’ and those considered less important are ‘secondary outcomes’. sets for specific conditions. Many of the blogs end with a consideration of what needs to be done next, and where the review includes a particularly useful discussion of the implications for research then this is mentioned in the blog. Some of the blogs include comments from review authors, health professionals working in the field, or patients, which you may also find useful.
For people interested in understanding the principles underlying evidence for health decisions
We have two occasional series to help people get to grips with evidence and its underlying principles:
- “Oh Really? 12 things to help you question health advice” is a series of blogs, each one highlighting something important to consider when you’re faced with health claims.
- Understanding Evidence puts the spotlight on common errors and misunderstandings and helps you make sense of evidence – whether you’re making decisions about treatments, or weighing up the latest health story to hit the headlines.
For people interested in social media for sharing evidence
We are really interested in the possibilities offered by social media platforms like Twitter, and an ever-expanding array of apps and platforms, in terms of sharing evidence with a vast audience and in a variety of ways, so you’ll find blogs about social media and our experiences with it on Evidently Cochrane.
Page last updated 1 October 2020.
