Background: There is growing attention to how The Cochrane Collaboration can best present the results of Cochrane reviews in a manner that is both reliable and accessible. A number of research and development projects have focused on the development of summary formats aimed at clinicians, consumers and policy makers. While these projects have brought us to presentation formats that are both reliable and accessible, a number of challenges remain, such as readers sometimes ignoring or misunderstanding important methodological concepts.

Objectives: To develop a video presentation format that can: • help policy makers understand the results of a specific review • help policy makers understand general methodological concepts • attract a wider audience to Cochrane reviews • be easily accessible in multiple languages • be easily transferable to other reviews with a minimum of resources

Methods: We used the knowledge gained from our developmental work with Summary of Findings Tables, Plain language summaries and SUPPORT summaries for policy makers. We selected the Cochrane review on the effects of lay health workers for maternal and child health and tuberculosis. We developed a 10-minute video using low-tech, low-cost solutions, and presenting what we know about the benefits and harms of this intervention, what we do not know, and how confident we can be in these results. We pilot tested the video among a relevant audience before developing a second version of the video and publishing it on YouTube.

Results: Pilot testing led us to increase the information about what we do not know (i.e. where information was lacking for important subgroups and outcomes). Responses were largely positive, including appreciation of narration and use of tables, maps and photos. A few people were concerned about length. A second round of testing is being planned.

Conclusions: Video is a feasible format for reliable, accessible and low-cost presentation of Cochrane Reviews. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zHHhpE5Rb0