Objective: The focus of this workshop is the process of utilising Cochrane reviews in the development of national clinical guidelines. The objective is to share experiences, generate discussion and find solutions.

Description: The specific focus of the workshop will be to give a pragmatic approach to using reviews highlighting both the benefits and challenges. Will Gray and Maggie Westby will share their experience of using a range of methodologies to incorporate Cochrane reviews in national clinical guidelines on diverse topics.
The workshop will take the form of a seminar and the facilitators will provide opportunities for participants to share their experiences and generate discussion. There will be a brief introduction to the aims of a clinical guideline and who guidelines are for, followed by fuller discussion of:
1. The full guideline development process including comparison with Cochrane review methodology.
2. Assignment of levels of evidence and recommendation grading and examples of methodological difficulties of translation into clinical recommendations.
3. Some of the benefits of using Cochrane reviews including: rigor, peer review, recognition and collaborative support from review groups.
4. Challenges of using Cochrane reviews including:

- Clinical questions and review questions do they fit?
- Differing outcomes
- National and international perspective
- Lack of cost effectiveness data

5. Updating Cochrane reviews or a new review; implications for national guideline purposes:

- What is an update?
- Time constraints
- Skills required for rapid reviews
- Peer review of non-Cochrane reviews
- Criteria and principles for using existing reviews

Target audience: Review authors, clinical guideline developers and anyone who has an interest in the use of evidence to inform clinical practice.

Style: Discussion workshop