Cochrane Russia: establishment, activities and development of a Russian-speaking Cochrane community

Article type
Year
Authors
Ziganshina LE1, Yudina EV2, Gabdrakhmanov AI2
1Cochrane Russia, Kazan Federal University, Infectious Diseases Group, Stroke Group, Russian Federation
2Cochrane Russia, Kazan Federal University, Russian Federation
Abstract
Background: Cochrane Russia was established in August 2015 by the Cochrane Central Executive at the Kazan Federal University. The International Conference 'Evidence-Based Medicine: achievements and barriers (QiQUM2015)' (7-8 December 2015, Kazan, Russia) officially launched Cochrane Russia.

Objectives: To explore potential for Cochrane development in the Russian-speaking community.

Methods: We translated the draft Cochrane membership concept paper into Russian and used it as the basis for involving new people in Cochrane work and for an online survey (in Russian and English). We disseminated these from 9 September 2015 via emails, QiQIM 2015 and the Cochrane Russia web-site. The survey consists of 10 questions about involvement in Cochrane work, the Cochrane membership scheme, willingness to join Cochrane Russia, achievements and barriers to Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) in Russian-speaking countries, and suggestions for the development of Cochrane Russia.

Results: By 18 April 57 people responded (6 in Ru, 1 in En). Most respondents have not been involved in Cochrane earlier (n = 41; 72%) and fully supported Cochrane plans to broaden its membership scheme (n = 48; 84%), and would like to get involved with Cochrane Russia (n = 55; 97%) through active participation (n = 40; 70%). Nearly half of the respondents (n = 26; 46%) considered organizing a Cochrane Russia satellite in their region. For EBM achievements in local settings the respondents listed quality improvement of healthcare, clinical guidelines and medicines lists, protection of patients' rights, introduction of EBM teaching, establishment of EBM centers, and development of critical thinking. Barriers included: language skills, low level of EBM knowledge, tradition and support of eminence-based medicine, aggressive drug promotion, unavailability of the Cochrane Library and underestimation of its importance, inadequate monitoring of clinical trials and registration of medicinal products, and administrative barriers with a lack of will to try system solutions.

Conclusions: The survey provided valuable information on existing resources and potential for building the Cochrane Russia community.