Demystifying clinical trials and systematic reviews for the public ***in computer lab; no need for personal laptops

Article type
Authors
McIlwain C1, Struthers C2, Parris K3, Gyte G4, Burls A5, Penfold M5
1Consumer Coordinator, The Cochrane Collaboration, United Kingdom
2Cochrane Training, United Kingdom
3Cochrane Collaboration, United Kingdom
4Cochrane Pregnancy & Childbirth Group and CCNet, United Kingdom
5University of Oxford, UK
Abstract
Objectives:

to engage consumers in user testing of web-based information on clinical trials and systematic reviews intended for the public by: (1) assessing and scoring explanations of clinical trials and systematic review terminology and (2) contributing to the development of new suggestions.

Description:

This will be an interactive workshop with an initial introduction to the topic and the plan for the workshop. Participants will work in small groups and be asked to comment on web-based materials which aim to explain clinical trials and systematic reviews in lay terms. Participants will be asked what explanations are useful and what are hard to understand. Scoring will use an on-line test devised for this purpose. It is anticipated that improvements will be needed and the workshop will provide opportunity for this process. The facilitators will work with participants in small groups to improve the materials. Explanations generated in the workshop on ‘The wonders of randomization’ will be tested if available. All the ideas generated will contribute to current work on this topic, and interested participants will be able to continue their involvement in the development of these materials beyond the workshop.