Cochrane Library Tutorial

The Cochrane Library is a collection of six databases, each containing different types of high-quality, independent evidence to help with healthcare decision-making:

• The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
• The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials 
• The Cochrane Methodology Register
• The Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects
• NHS Economic Evaluation Database
• Health Technology Assessment Database

The Database of Systematic Reviews is particularly useful. It provides peer-reviewed systematic reviews and protocols.

What is a Systematic Review?

A systematic review is a summary of the best available research on a specific topic. Reviews are created by synthesizing and interpreting the results of relevant studies, reports, and research. 

What can I find in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews?

Cochrane Reviews are systematic reviews of primary research in medicine and other healthcare specialties. The reviews summarize and interpret the results of medical research. All of the existing primary research on a topic that meets certain criteria is searched for and collected, and then assessed, to establish whether or not there is conclusive evidence about a specific treatment. Cochrane Reviews are updated with new evidence as it emerges. 

Each systematic review addresses a clearly formulated question.

Example:

• Can antibiotics help in alleviating the symptoms of a sore throat?

Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials

CENTRAL includes details of published articles taken from bibliographic databases (notably MEDLINE and EMBASE), and other published and unpublished sources. CENTRAL records include:

• the title of the article
• information on where it was published 
• summary of the article (in some cases)
• they do not contain the full text of the article.

Cochrane Methodology Register

The register is a bibliography of publications that report on methods used in the conduct of controlled trials. It includes journal articles, books, and conference proceedings, and the content is sourced from MEDLINE and hand searches. The records contain:

• the title of the article
• information on where it was published
• a summary of the article (in some cases)
• they do not contain the full text of the article.

Database of Abstracts and Reviews of Effects

This database contains abstracts of systematic reviews that have been quality-assessed. Each abstract includes:

• a summary of the review
• a critical commentary about the overall quality

NHS Economic Evaluation Database

This database identifies economic evaluations from around the world, appraising their quality, and highlighting their relative strengths and weaknesses.

This database is useful as information about both costs and effects of healthcare resources are essential to making evidence-based decisions about competing healthcare interventions.

Health Technology Assessment Database

This database brings together details of completed and ongoing health technology assessments (studies of the medical, social, ethical, and economic implications of healthcare interventions) from around the world. The aim of the HTA Database is to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of health care.