Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Attending a national spondylitis forum last year enlightened me as to how uninformed some patients are about their disease. This presentation will show how my exposure to Cochrane is enabling me to disseminate knowledge about ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and related diseases to other consumers in and beyond my country.
Objectives: To contact as many English speaking AS/arthritis associations worldwide as possible with all information needed to understand the mission of the Cochrane Collaboration and the benefits and features of the Cochrane Library.
Methods: Perform internet search for contact information for all English speaking AS/arthritis related associations worldwide. Contact Cochrane and Cochrane Musculoskeletal Group to update information contained in article written for national newsletter. Reformat article to appeal to broader readership with one version for AS groups and another for arthritis in general. Write shorter article in anticipation of limited space requirements by some groups. Create a customized cover letter for each group requesting the printing of either the short or long article in each group’s website/newsletter. I will explain how I feel the readership will benefit. Request response from each group.
Results: I have recently contacted 25 AS/arthritis associations in Australia, Barbados, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, UK, US, as well as the Ankylosing Spondylitis International Federation and await responses (confirmed). I have requested feedback and requested that each organization choosing to publish the article supply an approximation of its membership so the scope of this project can be evaluated.
Conclusions: I will discuss the motivation that caused me to take the promotion of Cochrane from local to international and the hope that those AS/arthritis sufferers reached by this information will benefit from shared decision making and the avoidance of disease related complications due to compliance with proven treatments.
Objectives: To contact as many English speaking AS/arthritis associations worldwide as possible with all information needed to understand the mission of the Cochrane Collaboration and the benefits and features of the Cochrane Library.
Methods: Perform internet search for contact information for all English speaking AS/arthritis related associations worldwide. Contact Cochrane and Cochrane Musculoskeletal Group to update information contained in article written for national newsletter. Reformat article to appeal to broader readership with one version for AS groups and another for arthritis in general. Write shorter article in anticipation of limited space requirements by some groups. Create a customized cover letter for each group requesting the printing of either the short or long article in each group’s website/newsletter. I will explain how I feel the readership will benefit. Request response from each group.
Results: I have recently contacted 25 AS/arthritis associations in Australia, Barbados, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, UK, US, as well as the Ankylosing Spondylitis International Federation and await responses (confirmed). I have requested feedback and requested that each organization choosing to publish the article supply an approximation of its membership so the scope of this project can be evaluated.
Conclusions: I will discuss the motivation that caused me to take the promotion of Cochrane from local to international and the hope that those AS/arthritis sufferers reached by this information will benefit from shared decision making and the avoidance of disease related complications due to compliance with proven treatments.