Article type
Abstract
Background
The demand for evidence-based healthcare worldwide highlights the need for Cochrane centers in LMICs, which face unique challenges such as limited resources and diverse populations.
Objectives
To describe strategies and challenges associated with establishing a Cochrane center in LMICs.
Methods
We contacted 10 centers: Argentina, Cameroon, China, Colombia, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, and The Carribeans. In a survey, we asked five questions that covered the main domains of establishing a center to understand their experiences, Figure (1). Published papers that describe experiences of Cochrane centers were searched and we also analyzed the information on Cochrane’s website.
Results
Thirty-two of the 54 Cochrane centers are located in high-income countries (HICs), reflecting persistent disparity by economic status, Table (1). Regions such as North Africa have no Cochrane presence. Four centers responded out of 10 contacted: Argentina, China, Colombia, and Malaysia. Although China is not a LMIC, it was contacted to gain insights from their experience. Regarding strategies needed to establish a Cochrane center, the most common response was good communication and partnerships with regional groups or centers as well as ensuring institutional support. Argentina focused on the importance of establishing clear objectives that align with Cochrane’s priorities. For a Cochrane center to function properly, most centers agreed on the necessity of academic skills as well as project management experiences within their Cochrane staff.
Main challenges include: lack of knowledge about the purpose of a local Cochrane center among health-care professionals (China), language challenge (Malaysia), insufficient support from local academic institutions, financial constraints (Colombia and Malaysia) and limited training opportunities (Argentina). In a published article, the Cameroon group described the lack of individual and institutional capacity for conducting and utilizing systematic reviews. To overcome challenges, some centers offer training courses (China, Colombia), while others partner with centers in HICs (Argentina, Malaysia and Colombia). Mentoring process within the Cochrane center is important to build capacity for trainers (Malaysia).
Conclusions
The diminished presence of Cochrane centers in LMICs directs attention to the opportunities for Cochrane to grow there and produce local evidence. The contacted centers´ experiences can be useful for this purpose.
The demand for evidence-based healthcare worldwide highlights the need for Cochrane centers in LMICs, which face unique challenges such as limited resources and diverse populations.
Objectives
To describe strategies and challenges associated with establishing a Cochrane center in LMICs.
Methods
We contacted 10 centers: Argentina, Cameroon, China, Colombia, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, and The Carribeans. In a survey, we asked five questions that covered the main domains of establishing a center to understand their experiences, Figure (1). Published papers that describe experiences of Cochrane centers were searched and we also analyzed the information on Cochrane’s website.
Results
Thirty-two of the 54 Cochrane centers are located in high-income countries (HICs), reflecting persistent disparity by economic status, Table (1). Regions such as North Africa have no Cochrane presence. Four centers responded out of 10 contacted: Argentina, China, Colombia, and Malaysia. Although China is not a LMIC, it was contacted to gain insights from their experience. Regarding strategies needed to establish a Cochrane center, the most common response was good communication and partnerships with regional groups or centers as well as ensuring institutional support. Argentina focused on the importance of establishing clear objectives that align with Cochrane’s priorities. For a Cochrane center to function properly, most centers agreed on the necessity of academic skills as well as project management experiences within their Cochrane staff.
Main challenges include: lack of knowledge about the purpose of a local Cochrane center among health-care professionals (China), language challenge (Malaysia), insufficient support from local academic institutions, financial constraints (Colombia and Malaysia) and limited training opportunities (Argentina). In a published article, the Cameroon group described the lack of individual and institutional capacity for conducting and utilizing systematic reviews. To overcome challenges, some centers offer training courses (China, Colombia), while others partner with centers in HICs (Argentina, Malaysia and Colombia). Mentoring process within the Cochrane center is important to build capacity for trainers (Malaysia).
Conclusions
The diminished presence of Cochrane centers in LMICs directs attention to the opportunities for Cochrane to grow there and produce local evidence. The contacted centers´ experiences can be useful for this purpose.