Cochrane International Mobility Opportunity. A global exchange programme for the Cochrane Community

Article type
Authors
Mahan K1, Celani MG2, Ricci S3, Pacheco Barrios K4, Douda Z5, Letteri F6, Oteri V7, Rayi A8, Moscote-Salazar L9, Sandercock P10, Sacco S11, Eusebi P12, Brazzelli M13, Bassi C14, Cantisani TA2
1Umbrian Region Health Authority and Neurological Sciences Field
2Neurophisiopathology Department, Perugia Hospital and Neurological Sciences Field
3Emeritus Director, Neurology Department, USL Umbria and Neurological Sciences Field
4Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
5Department of Hematology, Syrian Ministry of Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Aleppo
6Stroke Unit and Neurology Department, San Jacopo Hospital, Pistoia
7University of Catania
8Charleston Area Medical Center, Department of Neurology
9Colombian Clinical Research Group in Neurocritical Care, Bogota
10Emeritus Professor of Neurology, University of Edinburgh
11Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences University of L’Aquila
12Statistician, Neurological Sciences Field
13Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen
14Trial search coordinator, Neurological Sciences Field
Abstract
Background:
The Cochrane International Mobility programme provides networking opportunities for people to learn from Cochrane colleagues in different parts of the world. The structure connects people and locations, facilitating exchange that enhances international collaboration and sharing best practice within Cochrane. The programme is open to anyone interested in contributing to Cochrane’s work. Cochrane Centres in Sweden, Austria, Italy, and The Netherlands began this initiative with several successful student exchanges. Online courses replaced in-person internships during Covid. The Neurological Sciences Field, following their past experience with in-person training courses in different European countries, including two residential ‘Summer Schools’ held in Umbria, Italy (2018-2019), decided to offer a one-year online course in 2020. An opportunity, given Covid restrictions, to continue training Cochrane methodology.

Objectives:
Training new Cochrane review authors, knowledgeable in Cochrane methodology, with the aim of working together to produce a Cochrane systematic review.

Methods:
The online course was published through Cochrane TaskExchange; applications from neurologists and trainees living and working in different parts of the world were received. Six professionals were accepted, two in the US, two in Italy, one in Syria, one in Colombia. The course began in November 2020 and ended in December 2021 (Image 1). Five online lessons (Fig. 1) and five workshops with expert lecturers were organized (Fig. 2). Exercises were carried out in small groups between each lesson or workshop.

Outcomes:
Publication and successive citations of the review will represent outcome measures.

Conclusions:
Choosing a topic relevant to end-users and working together with course experts and the PaPaS CRG was an enthusiastic experience for new Cochrane authors. The review title proposed is ‘Prophylactic treatment with monoclonal antibodies targeting the CGRP pathway for migraine prevention.’
The protocol has been submitted following Cochrane’s new editorial board process.

Patient, public, and/or healthcare consumer involvement:
Migraines affect over one billion people worldwide and is one of the most common neurological disorders. The review can be of widespread interest for those affected (children, young people, and adults) who suffer from migraine, also evaluating the effectiveness and safety of high-cost pharmaceutical drugs not always available all over the world.