Background: When first implanting The Cochrane Collaboration in a country, in particular in developing countries (DC), there is often a lack of local resources and skilled personnel to organize training activities in systematic reviews and evidence-based medicine. Thus, there is a need for Cochrane entities to share such knowledge.

Objectives: Two approaches to face-to-face training will be presented, discussing the respective benefits and limitations of each one.

Methods: Approaches are:


- A visitors' programme, where a DC researcher stays during some time in a Cochrane entity to acquire necessary skills.

- Organization of training activities in a DC where training is provided by personnel from the Cochrane entity, although the activity in itself may be organized by a local entity.


Results: We will base our discussion on the experiences of several Cochrane entities: the Iberoamerican (CCIb), Australasian and South African Cochrane Centres, the Cochrane HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Groups (CRGs). Preliminary results are presented for the CCIb. Since the year 2000, CCIb has had 22 trainees, resulting in 12 published protocols/reviews. Mean length of stay was 1.5 months. Staff dedication consisted in 0.5 member per day of stay and trainee. Staff of the CCIb have participated in more than 15 training courses and workshops in Iberoamerica. Courses run for one to five days. Staff dedication consisted of one member of CCIb per day of the course.

Conclusions:

- The visitors' programme better guarantees the production of systematic reviews.

- CCIb is understaffed to assume regular activities abroad. A 'stay' programme consumes less time of actual staff.

- Participation in courses in DC helps to strengthen the roles of local co-ordinators.

- Either approach requires a good selection of applicants, with rigorous pre- and post-requisites.

- Language has special relevance if the Cochrane entity has a different working language than the target population.