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Abstract
Background: The Thailand Research Fund (TRF), established in 1992, is Thailand's leading government-funded research agency. TRF Senior Research Scholars (TRF/SRS) are selected from the nation's top researchers with outstanding records in international publications or who have produced high quality research work. In October 2004, a TRF/SRS grant of BHT 7.5 m (US$ 193,000) over three years was granted to Pisake Lumbiganon for supporting Cochrane review activities in Thailand. This programme uses the mechanism of the Thai Cochrane Network to facilitate Cochrane review activities.
Objectives: To evaluate the impact of the TRF/SRS grant on Cochrane review activities in Thailand.
Methods: We collected information on activities related to Cochrane review production, such as seminars and workshops that were organized and supported by TRF/SRS. We searched The Cochrane Collaboration's Review Titles Manager website for review titles from Thailand and analyzed titles by review groups, and status.
Results: Currently, there are 28 Cochrane review authors under the umbrella of TRF/SRS. These authors are from many medical schools, Schools of Public Health and hospitals in the Ministry of Public Health across Thailand. They are specialists from various clinical departments and biostatistics. We have organized many seminars to give information about The Cochrane Collaboration concepts and activities, systematic reviews and meta-analysis. We have also organized workshops on Cochrane protocol development and RevMan software. Informal consultations and Cochrane work in sessions have been provided regularly. As of March 31, 2006 there are 60 Cochrane review titles from Thailand. Thirty-three of these 60 (55%) are under the support of the TRF/SRS programme. There are eight completed reviews, six protocols and 19 registered titles. The titles involve 14 Cochrane Review Groups.
Conclusions: The TRF/SRS programme is very cost effective in promoting Cochrane activities in Thailand. Funding agencies in other countries may want to consider supporting similar programmes.
Objectives: To evaluate the impact of the TRF/SRS grant on Cochrane review activities in Thailand.
Methods: We collected information on activities related to Cochrane review production, such as seminars and workshops that were organized and supported by TRF/SRS. We searched The Cochrane Collaboration's Review Titles Manager website for review titles from Thailand and analyzed titles by review groups, and status.
Results: Currently, there are 28 Cochrane review authors under the umbrella of TRF/SRS. These authors are from many medical schools, Schools of Public Health and hospitals in the Ministry of Public Health across Thailand. They are specialists from various clinical departments and biostatistics. We have organized many seminars to give information about The Cochrane Collaboration concepts and activities, systematic reviews and meta-analysis. We have also organized workshops on Cochrane protocol development and RevMan software. Informal consultations and Cochrane work in sessions have been provided regularly. As of March 31, 2006 there are 60 Cochrane review titles from Thailand. Thirty-three of these 60 (55%) are under the support of the TRF/SRS programme. There are eight completed reviews, six protocols and 19 registered titles. The titles involve 14 Cochrane Review Groups.
Conclusions: The TRF/SRS programme is very cost effective in promoting Cochrane activities in Thailand. Funding agencies in other countries may want to consider supporting similar programmes.