Objectives: In April 2014 the Cochrane Collaboration Steering Group approved a revision of the Cochrane Commercial Sponsorship Policy in keeping with our longstanding aim of providing independent healthcare information. In the same year an audit of compliance with the policy was undertaken. In the course of managing the output of that project, the Cochrane Editorial Unit identified some examples where application of the policy was either unclear or disputed. This workshop aims to provide practical advice to Cochrane Review Groups (CRGs) to help them confidently manage conflict of interest (COI) issues.
Description: This workshop will provide an opportunity for participants to:
- refresh their knowledge of the 2014 policy changes and the resources available to help them implement the policy;
- work through practical COI examples to strengthen their knowledge of how to implement the policy;
- gain an understanding of the role of the Funding Arbiter and how to refer COI issues;
- feedback on areas of the policy that might require further clarification.
The practical component of the workshop will cover scenarios relating to:
- author employment;
- other financial support for authors from commercial sponsors or sources;
- funding or conduct by commercial sponsors or sources;
- author involvement in the conduct of included trials;
- review dissemination.