Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Currently Cochrane reviewers and reviews produced in China are much fewer compared with that of many other countries in the Cochrane Collaboration. Objective: To identify difficulties and develop strategies for increasing production of Cochrane reviews in China.
Methods: During 1999 and early 2000, we discussed problems and difficulties with about 30 reviewers or potential reviewers who attended various workshops organized by Chinese Cochrane Center and Australia Cochrane Center and analyzed experiences since 1998 when the first workshop was held in Chengdu . The strategies were developed by Chinese Cochrane Center and leaders of the West China University of Medical Sciences in the early 2000.
Results: Main challenges faced by many reviewers for production of Cochrane reviews in China include English language difficulty, inconvenience of accessing Internet for communication, short of time, short of resources, short of relevant knowledge and skills, lack of recognition for scientific value of systematic reviews, and lack of motivation. Strategies developed for meeting these challenges include encouraging conducting Cochrane reviews through recognition of its scientific value when people are promoted and medical student can get master's degree for conducting systematic reviews relevant to his medical area in West China University of Medical Sciences; Start funding was provided by Chinese Cochrane Center for producing Cochrane reviews; Providing training for reviewers both at home and abroad. Up to June of 2000, there has been at least 7 review titles registered with relevant Cochrane review groups, of which 4 protocols are about to be published and 2 complete reviews are underway. Four reviewers have been trained and at least another 10 will be trained abroad within two years.
Conclusions: Various challenges exist in non-English developing countries like China. The most important strategies are to make effective policies to motivate reviewers and provide resources needed when possible. More support is welcome from other countries in the collaboration for training reviewers from China.
Methods: During 1999 and early 2000, we discussed problems and difficulties with about 30 reviewers or potential reviewers who attended various workshops organized by Chinese Cochrane Center and Australia Cochrane Center and analyzed experiences since 1998 when the first workshop was held in Chengdu . The strategies were developed by Chinese Cochrane Center and leaders of the West China University of Medical Sciences in the early 2000.
Results: Main challenges faced by many reviewers for production of Cochrane reviews in China include English language difficulty, inconvenience of accessing Internet for communication, short of time, short of resources, short of relevant knowledge and skills, lack of recognition for scientific value of systematic reviews, and lack of motivation. Strategies developed for meeting these challenges include encouraging conducting Cochrane reviews through recognition of its scientific value when people are promoted and medical student can get master's degree for conducting systematic reviews relevant to his medical area in West China University of Medical Sciences; Start funding was provided by Chinese Cochrane Center for producing Cochrane reviews; Providing training for reviewers both at home and abroad. Up to June of 2000, there has been at least 7 review titles registered with relevant Cochrane review groups, of which 4 protocols are about to be published and 2 complete reviews are underway. Four reviewers have been trained and at least another 10 will be trained abroad within two years.
Conclusions: Various challenges exist in non-English developing countries like China. The most important strategies are to make effective policies to motivate reviewers and provide resources needed when possible. More support is welcome from other countries in the collaboration for training reviewers from China.