Objective: to measure the rate of implementing evidence-informed recommendations by health care providers supervised by a clinical supervisor who is a contributor to the Cochrane collaboration as compared to a matched clinical supervisor who is not a contributor to the Cochrane collaboration.

Methods: this observational study included 145 healthcare providers. All participants received formal training in evidence based practice prior to this study. Participants worked in two groups, one group lead by a clinical supervisor who is a Cochrane contributor and the other group lead by a matched clinical supervisor who is not a Cochrane contributor. The primary outcome was the rate of implementing evidence-informed recommendations (of the WHO guideline that was based on a Cochrane Review) as measured by the rate of prescribing Intermittent iron and folic acid supplementation to non-anemic pregnant women in contrast to the routine daily supplements. The prescribing pattern was determined by checking outpatient prescriptions over 9 weeks in 2013.

Results: A statistically significant difference in prescribing intermittent supplements between the two groups was observed. Cochrane Leadership increased the uptake of evidence informed recommendations and lead to a significant change in the prescribing pattern (Odds ratio 5.96 95% CI 2.70–13.14, P < 0.0001). Providers who are currently involved in the Collaboration significantly changed their prescribing pattern as compared to non-contributors (Odds ratio 2.72 95% CI 1.30–5.68, P < 0.01). A combined Cochrane supervisor and a Cochrane provider significantly increased the change in prescribing pattern [Odds ratio was 7.61 (95% CI 3.12–18.56, P < 0.0001)].

Conclusion: Cochrane contributors working in clinical practice are more likely to implement evidence-informed recommendations. A Cochrane contributor leadership improves the uptake and application of knowledge.