Background: The Pregnancy and Childbirth Group (PCG) set up an international consumer panel in 1998 with the aim of involving consumers as referees in the editorial process and is keen to evaluate its impact. There are some practical difficulties in prospective evaluation such as finding the necessary financial resources. In the meantime retrospective analysis of consumer feedback on a selection of Cochrane reviews and protocols is a potentially informative source of the consumer feedback process. A workshop looking at randomised controlled trials and hypertension in pregnancy provided an opportunity to use the PCG consumer feedback to identify issues raised by consumers on this topic. A similar analysis will be undertaken on the topic of caesarean delivery.

Objective: To assess consumer feedback on Cochrane reviews related to hypertension in pregnancy

Method: The Cochrane Library was searched for protocols and reviews relating to hypertension and pregnancy, and caesarean delivery . Feedback from consumers in the PCG Consumer Panel collated by Gill Gyte on protocols and reviews relating to hypertension in pregnancy and caesarean delivery was analysed for common themes. Data obtained from the analysis were compared with published protocols and reviews where appropriate.

Results: The number of reviews relating to hypertension in pregnancy in the Cochrane Library has increased rapidly in recent years, with half of the 20 completed reviews published or updated in 2003. Consumers have made important contributions to the review process by raising a number of important issues in their feedback to reviewers. Consumer feedback raised methodological concerns, queried some interpretation of the data, sought explanation of terms and rationale, made suggestions about potential outcomes of interest, as well as making a number of practical suggestions such as how to address potential conflict of interest and how titles could be amended. Consumers identified topics of interest to consumers, such as, side-effects of treatment and potential adverse effects.

Conclusions: Consumer feedback in the review process relating to hypertension in pregnancy contributed positively to the review process. Data on caesarean delivery as yet to be analysed.

Acknowledgements: Gill Gyte collates all consumer feedback on PCG reviews.

References: 1. Sakala C, Gyte G, Henderson S, Neilson JP and Horey D. Consumer-professional partnership to improve research: The experience of the Cochrane Collaboration s Pregnancy and Childbirth Group. Birth. 2001; 28 (2):133-7.