Objectives: We hope to answer the question: Are we making a difference? The aim of this workshop is to bring about more effective consumer commenting on protocols and reviews by:

1. Identifying common difficulties both for consumers and Review Group Co-ordinators;
2. determining realistic boundaries for consumer refereeing;
3. working toward important changes to a review or protocol as the result of consumer comments;
4. assessing the effectiveness of consumer comments on the final review; and
5. working toward written acknowledgment of consumer input on reviews.

Description: A give and take workshop where consumers and Review Group Co-ordinators come together to explore what we want from each other. Cochrane consumers represent the general public interested in making informed decisions about health care. They bring this perspective to The Cochrane Collaboration in order to make the reviews understandable to the general public as well as the media.
Consumers are asked to bring a review that they have commented on but were uncertain or uncomfortable about the process in some way. A consumer referee, for example, may have been hesitant about taking issue with certain aspects of a review; or concerned that comments went beyond the consumer role; or discouraged because her/his perspectives were not taken into account in the final review.
Review Group Co-ordinators are encouraged to come to this workshop with examples of both useful and less than useful comments they have received from consumers. The workshop will also provide guidance about writing a feedback response to The Cochrane Library.

Target audience: Consumers with experience of commenting on Cochrane protocols and reviews; Review Group Co-ordinators who work with consumers.

Style: Training and discussion workshop (advanced)