Measuring impact, assessing priorities and delivering high-quality timely reviews to improve patient health outcomes

Article type
Authors
Platt J1, Jess C1, Aburrow T2
1Gynaecological, Neuro-oncology and Orphan Cancers (GNOC)
2Cochrane, Evidence-Based Health Care
Abstract
Background:
Gynaecological, Neuro-oncology and Orphan Cancers (GNOC), like most Cochrane Review Groups (CRGs), is pleased to boast a growing portfolio of protocols and reviews (n = 246). Our aim is to deliver relevant high-quality reviews and timely updates; we are faced with the task of how to utilise the Update Classification System (UCS) fully, and prioritise review updates in the face of a growing workload and limited resources.

Objectives:
Our goal is to deliver reviews in areas where evidence is growing, and there is a need to assess new treatments or approaches, and disseminate these to our stakeholders as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Methods:
Impact factor and usage data have been disseminated to CRGs by Wiley since 2009. This has generated a huge amount of data. The challenge has been to develop the best ways of utilising this information to keep track of a review through time to determine Abstract download, Full Text Download (FTD), citations and, latterly, Altmetric score (AM). GNOC feed these data into a master spreadsheet which can track data for each review year by year. By creating this, we are able to identify trends over time and reviews that have higher impact scores. This helps to inform our decision-making process for prioritisation of review updates.

Results:
By collaborating with an Associate Editor from Wiley, GNOC have crafted output data that displays GNOC’s reviews by topic, digital object identifier (DOI), CD number, FTD, included studies, and AM data and policy/guideline inclusion.
GNOC have also developed a master spreadsheet which takes data acquired centrally to create a tool for horizon scanning, prioritisation, communication, search reporting and information management with review teams.

Conclusions:
Keeping on top of our information, the way we store it, manipulate it and determine patterns will be key to helping us deliver relevant knowledge. Collecting, analysing and interpreting impact and usage data has influenced the practical applications positively in our group. Bringing the data together in this way helps us make the best decisions about where to target resources. Additionally, by tracking this data over time, we will gain an insightful perspective and more nuanced approach to meeting the needs of patients.