Cochrane Textbook of Neurology

Tags: Oral
Celani MG1, Cantisani TA1, Mahan K1, Cusi C1, Congedo M1, Settembri G1, Cenerini S1
1Cochrane Neurosciences, Italy

Background: The Cochrane Neurological Field (CNF) promotes an easy approach to Cochrane neurological reviews by providing a browse list organized as a neurological e-textbook index

Objectives: To disseminate reviews and provide a straightforward way to reach new audiences with various cultural needs and diverse educational backgrounds among neurology health professionals. This approach could be appreciated by students and consumers as well, in order to share updated evidence with people not used to Cochrane systematic research.

Methods: Every three months since 2007, CNF has highlighted reviews of neurological interest published or updated in the Cochrane Library. Reviews are blindly selected by two neurologists with different backgrounds, each appropriate title is ascribed to a topic within the index, which is a list of 27 categories and 35 sub-categories. Classification is discussed by two other independent neurologists who also find reviews that are of shared interest  with neurology and other disciplines (i.e. neurology and urology, neurology and otorhinolaryngology, neurochild, etc.).

Results: The e-book of neurological Cochrane Reviews has titles and chapters; it is possible to 'turn the pages' of the categorized reviews, each title has a direct link to an abstract and a plain language summary. Within each category there are more specialized sub-categories. Reviews of shared interest between disciplines are flagged, and this enhances the multidisciplinary and multiprofessional aspects of a single review and is crucial for different specialities to increase the channel of relationships. The 10 most read and appreciated reviews are highlighted. Comments and evaluations by readers are encouraged, as it is essential to maintain everyone's involvement, clinicians, decision makers and consumers

Conclusions: We would like to present the e-textbook of Cochrane neurological systematic reviews, offer the possibility to 'surf' it and create a space to begin exchange and discussion with health professionals, students, patients, caregivers, citizens and policy makers in different situations.