Article type
Abstract
Background: Healthcare-related judicial demands have increased financial resource spending in Brazil. Nationwide strategies were developed to aid evidence-based decision-making in the judiciary system, including the development of evidence syntheses that are indexed in an electronic database called “e-Natjus”. These syntheses are developed considering research questions related to common judicial demands. They also focus on the judicial context and consider strategies of knowledge translation to judiciary workers. The conduction and publication of these syntheses are part of the project ‘Supporting Health Related Judicial Decision in Brazil,’ an initiative from Hospital Sírio-Libanês, funded by the Brazilian Ministry of Health and in partnership with the Brazilian National Justice Council.
Objectives: To analyze the usage of Cochrane Library and Cochrane reviews in evidence syntheses to support judicial decision-making in Brazil.
Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted at the Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo, Brazil. A search strategy was conducted in the e-Natjus electronic database on 29 February 2024 to retrieve relevant evidence synthesis.
Results: We retrieved all 92 evidence syntheses in e-Natjus. Their publication date ranged from 2018 to 2024. From the included syntheses, 99% (91/92) analyzed drugs, and 40% (37/92) considered an oncology-related condition. All 92 evidence syntheses searched the Cochrane Library as an evidence source. Cochrane systematic reviews were included in 24% of evidence synthesis (22/92). Considering the 70 evidence syntheses that did not include a Cochrane review, 36% (25/70) included a non-Cochrane systematic review and 64% (45/70) included only primary studies.
Conclusions: Cochrane Library is used as an evidence source in all evidence synthesis developed to support judicial decisions in Brazil. The inclusion of a Cochrane review in 24% of evidence syntheses highlights that there are relevant fields with no available updated Cochrane review. These results indicate the need for expanding Cochrane work and developing Cochrane reviews more aligned with relevant research questions.
Relevance to patients: Making decisions based on evidence synthesis with trusted information improves the efficiency of the public Brazilian healthcare system, ensuring equitable care.
Objectives: To analyze the usage of Cochrane Library and Cochrane reviews in evidence syntheses to support judicial decision-making in Brazil.
Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted at the Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo, Brazil. A search strategy was conducted in the e-Natjus electronic database on 29 February 2024 to retrieve relevant evidence synthesis.
Results: We retrieved all 92 evidence syntheses in e-Natjus. Their publication date ranged from 2018 to 2024. From the included syntheses, 99% (91/92) analyzed drugs, and 40% (37/92) considered an oncology-related condition. All 92 evidence syntheses searched the Cochrane Library as an evidence source. Cochrane systematic reviews were included in 24% of evidence synthesis (22/92). Considering the 70 evidence syntheses that did not include a Cochrane review, 36% (25/70) included a non-Cochrane systematic review and 64% (45/70) included only primary studies.
Conclusions: Cochrane Library is used as an evidence source in all evidence synthesis developed to support judicial decisions in Brazil. The inclusion of a Cochrane review in 24% of evidence syntheses highlights that there are relevant fields with no available updated Cochrane review. These results indicate the need for expanding Cochrane work and developing Cochrane reviews more aligned with relevant research questions.
Relevance to patients: Making decisions based on evidence synthesis with trusted information improves the efficiency of the public Brazilian healthcare system, ensuring equitable care.