Disseminating Cochrane evidence to the public health workforce via author-led webinars

Article type
Year
Authors
Dobbins M1, Baker P2, Marquez O3, Chen V3, Husson H3
1National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools (NCCMT); Health Evidence, Canada
2School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
3Health Evidence, Canada
Abstract
Background: Health Evidence™ is a free searchable repository of 4500+ quality-appraised public health relevant reviews, including nearly 700 Cochrane Reviews. Author-led webinars is one knowledge translation strategy to disseminate the findings of Cochrane Reviews.
Objectives:
1. Disseminate the findings of Cochrane Reviews via webinars
2. Evaluate the impact of Cochrane author-led webinars
Methods: Webinars are 60-90 minutes in length and include: an overview of the principles of evidence-informed decision making (15 mins), presentation of the findings by the review author (30 mins), and a Q&A period (30 mins). Webconferencing software monitors participant registration, attendance, engagement, poll responses, and questions. Standard poll questions are asked throughout each session to assess familiarity with and use of systematic reviews (SRs), as well as familiarity and agreement with session-specific review findings.
Results: Since January 2015 Health Evidence has hosted six Cochrane author-led webinars. Webinar participants include: nurses, health promoters, physicians, dietitians, and knowledge brokers. On average, participants in each session were attentive and engaged 68.8% of the time. Google Analytics reflected an average 572% increase in users accessing the Cochrane Review featured in each webinar on the day of the session compared to average daily access the month prior. On average, each session attracted 177 registrants, of which approximately half joined on the session date. Poll response data reveal 59.6% attendees use SRs to inform their practice. Data collected pre/post webinar on participant’s knowledge of the effectiveness of an intervention, suggest that this is an effective way to influence participant’s knowledge about intervention effectiveness (participant knowledge improved 10%-31.8%, measured via pre/post poll questions). During the Q&A period, attendees submitted 5-12 questions per session.
Conclusion: Webinars are an interactive and effective mechanism for promoting public health relevant Cochrane evidence to decision makers. Data from webinars highlight a high level of interest and engagement with Cochrane author-led sessions.