Article type
Year
Abstract
Background:
A large number of Cochrane Reviews end without making any clinical recommendations due to the lack of good quality primary studies. Cochrane authors are in a privileged position to describe the relevant methodological details to ensure that high quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are designed and carried out so that their updated reviews reach clinically useful conclusions.
Objectives:
To present a new proposal to improve the 'Implications for Research' section of Cochrane Reviews.
Methods:
Based on the suggestions made at our presentation in the Canadian Colloquium, we developed a structured table format for this section adapted from the CONSORT recommendations for abstracts. This framework was developed so that it could provide simple, useful guidance and objective suggestions for trialists interested in doing a good quality RCT.
Results:
The main characteristics of the ideal RCT that need to be performed would be included at the end of every Cochrane review in a table format, with the following domains: 1) Title; 2) Background; 3) Research question; 4) Trial design; 5) Randomisation; 6) Blinding; 7) Participants; 8) Study settings; 9) Interventions; 10) Outcomes; 11) Sample size and statistical tests; 12) Possible harms; 13) Feasibility.
Conclusions:
The possible benefits of including this table for the ideal RCT are: 1) improve evidence-based health care by increasing the number of Cochrane Reviews that reach a clinically useful conclusion; 2) stimulate investigators to perform RCTs needed to answer relevant research questions; 3) enhance and promote the Cochrane Collaboration as a partner in the design of high quality primary studies; 4) creation of a new derivative product of the Collaboration that could increase income; 5) increase the citation of Cochrane Reviews.
A large number of Cochrane Reviews end without making any clinical recommendations due to the lack of good quality primary studies. Cochrane authors are in a privileged position to describe the relevant methodological details to ensure that high quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are designed and carried out so that their updated reviews reach clinically useful conclusions.
Objectives:
To present a new proposal to improve the 'Implications for Research' section of Cochrane Reviews.
Methods:
Based on the suggestions made at our presentation in the Canadian Colloquium, we developed a structured table format for this section adapted from the CONSORT recommendations for abstracts. This framework was developed so that it could provide simple, useful guidance and objective suggestions for trialists interested in doing a good quality RCT.
Results:
The main characteristics of the ideal RCT that need to be performed would be included at the end of every Cochrane review in a table format, with the following domains: 1) Title; 2) Background; 3) Research question; 4) Trial design; 5) Randomisation; 6) Blinding; 7) Participants; 8) Study settings; 9) Interventions; 10) Outcomes; 11) Sample size and statistical tests; 12) Possible harms; 13) Feasibility.
Conclusions:
The possible benefits of including this table for the ideal RCT are: 1) improve evidence-based health care by increasing the number of Cochrane Reviews that reach a clinically useful conclusion; 2) stimulate investigators to perform RCTs needed to answer relevant research questions; 3) enhance and promote the Cochrane Collaboration as a partner in the design of high quality primary studies; 4) creation of a new derivative product of the Collaboration that could increase income; 5) increase the citation of Cochrane Reviews.