Objectives:
To provide an opportunity for Cochrane consumers to share experiences of what works well and where they have difficulties; to support other consumers to overcome difficulties with shared ideas; and to provide the Consumers’ Executive with suggestions as to how consumers can be better supported in Cochrane.

Description:
Consumers often have difficulty working in Cochrane because it is a complex organisation in terms of structure and function, and each group works differently.

After a short introduction about Cochrane and the consumers’ role in Cochrane, participants will divide into small, facilitated groups. Consumers will be invited to give a short description of their background and how they became involved in Cochrane. They will be asked to describe how consumers contribute to the group with which they are associated, and to explain what they feel works well and whether they have any difficulties with their group, or with Cochrane as a whole. After feedback to the whole group, participants will choose which issues they wish to discuss further in the workshop. Ideas for improving some of the difficulties faced by consumers working in Cochrane will be drawn up and these will be taken forward by the Consumers' Executive.