Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: To assess the feasibility of combining individual reviews into overviews I piloted an approach to map Cochrane and non-Cochrane reviews and other experimental evidence of the effects of interventions for prevention and treatment of the common cold (see abstracts numbers 2, 34, 66, 77).
Methods: I carried out searches of the component parts of the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the ARI group register and enlisted the help of Dr David Tyrrell, one of the leading world experts on the common cold.
Results: Knowledge acquired was summarised in a table, which at present occupies six sides of A4 paper.
Conclusions: Tabulation of available Cochrane and non-Cochrane evidence is an essential first step to carrying out overviews. Advantages include the identification of interventions, of knowledge gaps and the possibility of identifying and contacting authors of non-Cochrane reviews who may be persuaded to edit their reviews in Cochrane format.
Methods: I carried out searches of the component parts of the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the ARI group register and enlisted the help of Dr David Tyrrell, one of the leading world experts on the common cold.
Results: Knowledge acquired was summarised in a table, which at present occupies six sides of A4 paper.
Conclusions: Tabulation of available Cochrane and non-Cochrane evidence is an essential first step to carrying out overviews. Advantages include the identification of interventions, of knowledge gaps and the possibility of identifying and contacting authors of non-Cochrane reviews who may be persuaded to edit their reviews in Cochrane format.