Provide information about The Cochrane Collaboration and The Cochrane Library

One of the US Cochrane Center's (USCC) most important functions is to serve as a source of information about the principles of evidence-based health care in general and The Cochrane Collaboration's particular role as a provider of evidence-based healthcare information through publication of The Cochrane Library. This dissemination of information is part of all USCC activities. Additionally, the USCC serves as the first point of contact in the US and its reference countries for e-mail, phone, and written inquiries from the media, healthcare professionals, and consumers on the topics of evidence-based health care and The Cochrane Collaboration.

Provide information and support for authors

It is one of The Cochrane Collaboration's principles that systematic reviews of healthcare literature can be undertaken by anyone interested in answering a research question, and that specialist knowledge is not required. To ensure that this is feasible, Cochrane Centers around the world work to provide information, support, and training for Cochrane systematic reviewers at all levels of expertise throughout the systematic review process. The USCC responds to inquiries from interested individuals in the US and its reference countries about getting involved in The Cochrane Collaboration, helps prospective reviewers find their proper place in the organization, and provides ongoing support to reviewers, editors, and other Cochrane volunteers based in the US and its reference countries.

Provide information and support for US-based Cochrane entities

Cochrane Centers form part of a close-knit network of groups that provide information, training, and support to Cochrane reviewers. Centers also have a role in supporting other types of Cochrane groups, and in contributing to the cohesive functioning of groups based in a particular geographical area. The USCC provides support to the Cochrane groups based in the United States: three Cochrane Review Group editorial bases, two Review Group satellite editorial bases, two Fields, and one Methods Group.

Training Programs and Documentation for Peer Reviewers, Systematic Reviewer Authors, Handsearchers, Trial Search Coordinators, Consumers, and Healthcare Professionals

As part of its work to provide information and support to Cochrane contributors of all kinds, the USCC is involved in a number of initiatives to develop and provide training for various constituencies. More information on each of these programs may be found by following the links indicated above.

Online Handsearcher Training

The USCC has developed an online handsearcher training course to provide participants with the knowledge, skills and tools they need to successfully identify controlled trial reports. Handsearching, the process of manually screening biomedical journals, conference proceedings and other publications for the best-available evidence, is an integral part of identifying research results that can be used in Cochrane reviews. Hundreds of handsearchers around the world are identifying controlled trial reports from these sources. This free-access online course prepares handsearchers to identify clinical trials that fit the rigorous standards which doctors, researchers, and health care consumers have come to expect from the Cochrane Collaboration.

Online course for consumer advocates: Understanding Evidence-based Healthcare: A Foundation for Action

After taking this web-based course on evidence-based healthcare and critical appraisal, consumer advocates and others will be able to:

• Understand what evidence-based healthcare is and how they can use it to inform their own healthcare decisions

• Find reliable sources of evidence-based information

• Critically appraise information found in clinical guidelines, healthcare websites, the lay news media, and journal articles

US Contributors’ Meetings

The USCC has organized an annual meeting for US contributors as part of The Cochrane Collaboration's annual international meeting, the Colloquium. This meeting is intended to provide a venue for sharing information, ideas, and progress reports among individuals and groups who spend most of the year working thousands of miles apart.

In addition, the USCC hosted Contributors' Meetings in the US in 2004 and in 2006. The meetings are two-day events for active and potential contributors to The Cochrane Collaboration. Participants meet to discuss the current state of evidence-based health care and systematic reviews in the US, to make plans for the future, and to build alliances.

Consumers United for Evidence-based Healthcare (CUE)

Consumers United for Evidence-based Healthcare (CUE) is a partnership between the US Cochrane Center and health and consumer advocacy organizations. The members of CUE are interested in integrating understanding and interpretation of evidence-based healthcare into their advocacy activities, strengthening the voice of consumers in healthcare research, and providing leadership in these areas.