Background:
Cochrane evidence is produced and disseminated by an amazing global network, which includes 37,000 volunteer collaborators – patients, care-givers, researchers and healthcare professionals – bound together by a shared vision for better health. The Colloquium is a place where these users of, and contributors to, Cochrane evidence meet to learn, share and plan. Non-scientists have an important role to play at the Colloquium, but it can feel a baffling place. This interactive workshop is an introduction for non-scientists, healthcare consumers, patients, carers, family members and others attending the conference.

Objectives:
The aims of this workshop are, in an interactive workshop format:
- to introduce the concept of evidence-based medicine, its history and why it is important;
- to introduce finding and using Cochrane evidence;
- to learn about Cochrane, its work and the way that that it is organised;
- to explore how non-scientists can get involved.

Description:
The workshop will consist of:
- an introduction to Evidence Based Medicine, its history and why it is important;
- an introduction to Cochrane evidence, how to find and use it;
- a guide to Cochrane, its work and how it is organised, including presentations from senior contributors to Cochrane;
- how to get involved, including demonstrations about Cochrane Crowd, the Consumer Network, Task Exchange, and translation;
- a contribution from a Cochrane consumer about their involvement;
- question and answer session.