A new Cochrane review highlights the significant association between undernutrition and tuberculosis (TB) disease, shedding light on its prognostic value in predicting TB incidence among adults, adolescents, and children.

The review, which analyzed data from 51 cohort studies involving over 27 million participants across diverse settings, reveals that undernutrition probably doubles the risk of TB disease. This association, particularly evident within 10 years from the onset of undernutrition, underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to address undernutrition as part of broader TB prevention strategies.

Undernutrition, characterized by factors such as low body mass index (BMI) emerges as a key risk factor for TB infection and progression. Malnutrition compromises the immune system, reducing the body's ability to fight off infections, including TB. Individuals who are malnourished have weakened immune responses, making them more susceptible to the TB bacterium and less capable of containing latent infections. In 2022 alone, undernutrition contributed to an estimated 2.2 million TB cases worldwide, as documented in the World Health Organization's Global Tuberculosis Report.

Lead author of the review and lead of the Cochrane evidence synthesis group at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Juan Franco, says, “By quantifying this risk, we can more accurately estimate the burden of TB disease attributable to undernutrition. This information informs the planning of policies based on the burden of risk factors across different regions of the world.”

The impact of quantifying the relationship between undernutrition and TB provides evidence-based guidance for policymakers to allocate resources effectively, design targeted interventions, and implement comprehensive TB prevention strategies. For doctors and patients, it highlights the importance of nutritional assessments and interventions in TB care and prevention.

The findings from the review suggest that public health policies in countries with high TB burdens must prioritize nutritional support as a core component of TB control programs.

“By addressing undernutrition, these policies can reduce TB incidence, improve treatment outcomes, and contribute to overall health improvements in these populations,” Franco notes.

Despite the clear link between undernutrition and TB disease risk, challenges persist in standardizing diagnostic methods and accounting for confounding factors. The review emphasizes the importance of ongoing research, especially in low- and middle-income countries, to obtain accurate estimates of undernutrition's impact on TB across different populations and settings.

Juan Franco emphasizes the vital role of international organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the WHO TB Programme, in implementing the review’s findings. "Evidence-based policies addressing food insecurity and malnutrition are urgently needed," he explains. 

"Undernutrition manifests differently worldwide, influenced by various social determinants of health. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but addressing societal inequalities is always a good starting point. Treating undernutrition, along with reducing other TB risk factors, is essential not only to lower the TB burden but also to achieve overall well-being." 

By focusing on the dual burden of undernutrition and TB, this Cochrane review underscores the importance of integrating nutritional support into TB control programs to achieve better health outcomes globally.

Thursday, June 13, 2024

Thursday, June 13, 2024

Specifications: Full Time (Permanent role)
Salary: £90,000 per annum
Location: Remote working (international travel and attendance at in-person meetings in London will be expected)
Application closing date:  Wednesday 26 June 2024. The recruitment agency will be longlisting applications as soon as they receive them, so please apply early to register your interest.

Cochrane is an international charity. For 30 years we have responded to the challenge of making vast amounts of research evidence useful for informing decisions about health. We do this by synthesising research findings and our work has been recognised as the international gold standard for high quality, trusted information.

Cochrane's strength is in its collaborative, global community. We have 110,000+ members and supporters around the world. Though we are spread out across the globe, our shared passion for health evidence unites us. Our Central Executive Team supports this work and is divided into five directorates: Evidence Production and Methods, Publishing and Technology, Development and External Relations, Chief Executive Office, and Finance and Corporate Services.

The Director of Development and External Relations is a key leadership position within Cochrane, responsible for shaping and implementing the organization's external engagement strategy and attracting donors.

As Director of Development and External Relations for Cochrane, you will be a global ambassador for the charity and a vital part of the Executive Leadership Team. You will build and develop relationships with key stakeholders across the global health landscape, enabling the generation of income, advocate for evidence-informed decision making and foster meaningful partnerships.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will play a pivotal role in advancing Cochrane's global impact and ensuring the charity’s sustainability. You will be responsible for increasing Cochrane’s income. and reputation and influence among key audiences including funders and policymakers. You will lead a directorate responsible for fundraising, advocacy, partnerships, communications and Cochrane Response, our global health consultancy.

Don’t have every single qualification? We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job unless they are a perfect match. At Cochrane, we’re not looking for “perfect matches.” We’re looking to welcome people to our diverse, inclusive, and passionate workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but don’t have every single qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. Whether it’s this role or another one, you may be just the right candidate.

You can expect:

• An opportunity to truly impact health globally.
• A flexible work environment.
• A comprehensive onboarding experiences.
• An environment where people feel welcome, heard, and included, regardless of their differences.

How to apply

• View the full job description.
  
• Apply through our recruitment partner, Prospectus.
• Please submit your application by 26 June 2024.
• Read our Recruitment Privacy Statement.

 

Wednesday, June 12, 2024 Category: Jobs

Cochrane's strength lies in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane Geographic Groups represent Cochrane in their host countries, advocating for the use of Cochrane evidence in health policy and practice, and supporting Cochrane's members and supporters locally. Here, we spotlight the impactful work of the Cochrane Africa Network, dedicated to increasing the use of best evidence to inform healthcare decision-making across Africa. 

Cochrane Africa was officially launched at the Global Evidence Summit in Cape Town in 2017, building on partnerships across Africa dating back to the 1990s. The network comprises a Co-ordinating Hub in South Africa based at the Health Systems Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council; a Francophone Hub directed from Cochrane Cameroon; a Southern African Hub directed from the Centre for Evidence-based Healthcare at Stellenbosch University, South Africa; an East African Hub directed from Cochrane Kenya; and a West African Hub directed from Cochrane Nigeria. The network's main objectives are to deliver timely, high-quality responses to priority questions relevant to global health and sub-Saharan Africa, build capacity to conduct Cochrane Reviews, advocate for evidence-informed decision-making, and increase access to and usability of Cochrane products. Cochrane Africa’s current projects include the Global Evidence Local Adaptation (GELA) project, Cochrane Africa Authorship Guidelines, priority setting to identify review topics for each region, and translation of Cochrane review plain language summaries.

The GELA project, established in 2022 and funded by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, aims to enhance evidence-informed guideline recommendations for newborn and young child health. By engaging with stakeholders, GELA has identified local priorities and capacity needs, supporting decision-makers in developing and implementing country-specific guidelines.

"Cochrane Africa's work through the GELA project maximises the impact of evidence for poverty-related diseases by increasing the capacity of decision-makers and researchers to use global research for locally relevant guidelines," says Solange Durão, Cochrane Africa Co-Director. This initiative builds on a large-scale programme of child-health guideline development led by the World Health Organization, with adaptation and implementation led by the WHO Afro regional office, country offices, and national ministries. Via the GELA project Cochrane Africa collaborates with several international partners, including the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Western Norway University of Applied Science, Stellenbosch University, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Cochrane, and the MAGIC Evidence Ecosystem Foundation. 

The network's work has significantly impacted healthcare practices, policies, and knowledge in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in TB, HIV, and COVID-19. Through capacity-building initiatives, Cochrane Africa has developed a robust field of evidence-based healthcare on the continent, with many current leaders in the region being graduates of these training programmes. Cochrane Africa also has a long-term collaboration as part of the READ-It project which is based at the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group. Up to 2023, READ-It has contributed to: 13 global policies or guidelines; 9 national policies or guidelines; 73 high-impact systematic reviews; 10 method topic areas; and specifically published 29 high-impact reviews or methods papers led by authors from low- and middle-income countries.

Looking ahead, the Cochrane Africa Network is excited about hosting the Cochrane Africa Indaba in 2025, an international evidence-based health care conference. It will be led by the East Africa Hub at Cochrane Kenya. "Our future projects will continue to build on our strong foundation, advancing evidence-informed decision-making and improving healthcare outcomes across Africa. We're especially excited for the anticipated 2025 Cochrane Africa Indaba and our training workshops and fellowship programmes. The network also has a long history of developing capacity in Africa to conduct Cochrane and other systematic reviews and develop the field of evidence-based healthcare on the continent. Some of the current leadership in Africa are ‘graduates’ of these training initiatives - and we are looking forward to helping create the next generation of leaders! " notes Tamara Kredo, Cochrane Africa Co-Director.

Cochrane Africa welcomes support and collaboration to amplify their impact. If you are interested in contributing to their mission as authors of Cochrane systematic reviews, identifying priorities for future reviews, participating in research projects, raising awareness about Cochrane in your scientific community, writing summaries or commentaries on Cochrane Africa Reviews, or helping to secure funding for their activities, please fill out a short form.

• Visit the Cochrane Africa website
• Follow Cochrane Africa on X
• Follow the GELA project on Facebook
• Find a Cochrane group in your country
  
  

Friday, July 5, 2024

Cochrane's strength lies in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane Geographic Groups represent Cochrane in their host country, advocate for the use of high-quality evidence syntheses in health policy and practice, and support Cochrane's members and supporters who live there. Here, we spotlight the impactful work of Cochrane Austria, dedicated to advancing evidence-based healthcare practices in their country.

Cochrane Austria officially opened as a Cochrane branch in 2010, at the University for Continuing Education Krems. They hosted the 2015 Cochrane Colloquium in Vienna and were awarded full centre status in  2017. With nearly 500 members and supporters, Cochrane Austria aims to support evidence-based decision-making in Austria and other German-speaking countries and build capacity through training activities.

Cochrane Austria Advisory Board Meeting in Krems 2023

Cochrane Austria undertakes various projects to improve health-related decisions by providing access to the best available evidence for citizens, health care providers, and policy decision-makers. They operate the fact-checking platform, Medizin Transparent.at, which evaluates the accuracy of health-related information in the media. This free service enables German-speaking citizens, healthcare providers, and decision-makers to critically analyze health-related information they encounter in the media, attracting about 2 million visitors annually. Cochrane Austria also runs a rapid response service for healthcare professionals, funded by the State Health Agency of Lower Austria. This service provides rapid, evidence-based answers to clinical questions, ensuring that physicians and nurses in Austria can make well-informed decisions.

"There is a lot of misinformation in the media and even healthcare professionals can struggle to find trustworthy evidence. Cochrane Austria's knowledge translation efforts are making a significant impact on evidence-based decision making for citizens, patients, and healthcare providers in Austria," says Dr. Barbara Nußbaumer-Streit, Cochrane Austria Co-Director.

Alexandru and Larisa from Romania, Petter from Sweden, Piotr from Poland, and Raphaela from Sweden.

Training and upskilling the evidence synthesis skills in Austria is another major focus for Cochrane Austria. They provide regular training in methods of evidence-based medicine, such as critical appraisal of studies, interpreting statistics, doing systematic literature searches, and applying the GRADE approach. In 2024, Cochrane Austria launched a PhD program in "Applied Evidence Synthesis in Health Research" at the University for Continuing Education Krems. The program integrates the Cochrane International Mobility programme, allowing PhD students to benefit from the expertise of other Cochrane Centres.

"Cochrane Austria is equipping the next generation of researchers with a profound understanding of evidence-based medicine and the intricate methodologies involved in evidence synthesis. We are excited to play a pivotal role in shaping this promising future," notes Dr. Gerald Gartlehner, Cochrane Austria Co-Director. 

Cochrane Austria is co-convenor of the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group and Cochrane Public Health Europe, collaborates with several international partners, including the American College of Physicians, and the World Health Organization, and also support Cochrane Romania as an Affiliate Centre. These collaborations enhance the impact of their work and ensure the dissemination and uptake of Cochrane evidence. In May 2024, Cochrane Austria organized a meeting of all European Cochrane geographic groups in Vienna to foster and strengthen collaborations within Europe. 

Members of 18 Countries joined the European Cochrane Meeting in May 2024 in Vienna

Through projects like the European Health and Digital Executive Agency collaboration, Cochrane Austria supports EU Member States in decision-making on national vaccination programs. Additionally, as a WHO Collaborating Centre, Cochrane Austria members contributed to a systematic review that formed the basis for a global WHO guideline on preventing bloodstream infections from catheter use.

"Our collaboration with the WHO highlights our dedication to enhancing healthcare decision-making not only in Austria but also on a global scale. We are eager to contribute our expertise to these important projects," says Dr. Barara Nußbaumer-Streit.

Andreea Dobrescu, Barbara Nussbaumer-Streit, Gerald Gartlehner at the Guideline Development Meeting at WHO in Geneva in 2023

Cochrane Austria is excited about involving new PhD students in the Cochrane network, hosting Cochrane International Mobility programme participants, and continuing their knowledge translation and capacity-building activities. For those interested in contributing to Cochrane Austria's mission, please contact Barbara Nussbaumer-Streit at barbara.nussbaumer-streit@donau-uni.ac.at. There are numerous opportunities to get involved and make a difference in the field of evidence-based healthcare!

• Visit the Cochrane Austria website
• Follow Cochrane Austria on social media: 
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
• Search and view Cochrane evidence in German
• Find a Cochrane Geographic Group in your country

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Monday, June 3, 2024

对于新生血管性年龄相关性黄斑变性（nAMD）患者来说，抗血管内皮生长因子药物的仿制药（生物仿制药）是否与原始抗血管内皮生长因子药物一样有效？ 关键信息 使用抗血管内皮生长因子（anti-VEGFs）的仿制药（生物仿制药）治疗新生血管性年龄相关性黄斑变性（nAMD）的一年内，其发挥的效果与原始的抗血管内皮生长因子药物一样。 抗血管内皮生长因子生物仿制药产生的不良反应与anti-VEGF原药相似，持续时间长达一年。 未来的研究应在一年以上的时间内进行，以了解抗血管内皮生长因子生物仿制药对视力和视力相关健康预期和不期望的影响。 什么是新生血管性老年黄斑变性（nAMD）？ 新生血管性老年黄斑变性（nAMD），又称 “湿性 ”黄斑变性，是一种严重的眼部疾病，会导致部分或全部视力丧失。它影响着全球数百万人。黄斑是眼睛后部视网膜下的一个区域，当黄斑下长出新血管时，就会引起这种疾病。血管渗出的液体会损害黄斑，从而导致视力丧失。 如何治疗新生血管性老年黄斑变性（nAMD）？ 治疗 nAMD 的药物称为抗血管内皮生长因子（anti-VEGFs），它可以阻止视网膜下异常血管的生长。患有 nAMD 的人需要定期将抗血管内皮生长因子直接注射到眼睛里。迄今为止，已有 5 种不同的抗血管内皮生长因子药物被批准用于治疗 nAMD。这些药物已被证明可以阻止视网膜进一步受损，有助于保护患者剩余的视力。 抗血管内皮生...

Title: Team PA (CEO office)
Specifications: Permanent – Full time
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Location: Remote working (UK office located in Central London)
Closing date: 14 June 2024

Cochrane is an international charity. For 30 years we have responded to the challenge of making vast amounts of research evidence useful for informing decisions about health. We do this by synthesising research findings and our work has been recognised as the international gold standard for high quality, trusted information.

Cochrane's strength is in its collaborative, global community. We have 110,000+ members and supporters around the world. Though we are spread out across the globe, our shared passion for health evidence unites us. Our Central Executive Team supports this work and is divided into five directorates: Evidence Production and Methods, Publishing and Technology, Development, Chief Executive Office and Finance and Corporate Services.

This varied role will work closely with the Executive Support Manager to provide effective and efficient administrative support to the CEO’s Office, including PA support to the CEO. The CEO’s Office encompasses Strategy, Governance, Geographic Groups, Communications and Cochrane’s Project Team. The Team PA role will provide support, to a greater or lesser extent, to all these areas. It will also provide ad hoc support to special projects, where required. This is a new role and will require a flexible approach. This role could be based anywhere in the world but would be required to work European hours.

Don’t have every single qualification? We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job unless they are a perfect match. At Cochrane, we’re not looking for “perfect matches.” We’re looking to welcome people to our diverse, inclusive, and passionate workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but don’t have every single qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. Whether it’s this role or another one, you may be just the right candidate.

Our organization is built on four core values:
Collaboration: Underpins everything we do, locally and globally.
Relevant: The right evidence at the right time in the right format.
Integrity: Independent and transparent.
Quality: Reviewing and improving what we do, maintaining rigour and trust.

You can expect:

• An opportunity to truly impact health globally.
• A flexible work environment.
• A comprehensive onboarding experiences.
• An environment where people feel welcome, heard, and included, regardless of their differences.

Cochrane welcomes applications from a wide range of perspectives, experiences, locations, and backgrounds; diversity, equity and inclusion are key to our values.

How to apply

• For further information on the role and click “how to apply”.
• The deadline to receive your application is 14 June, 2024.
• The supporting statement should indicate why you are applying for the post, and how far you meet the requirements, using specific examples. 
• Read our Recruitment Privacy Statement

Friday, May 31, 2024 Category: Jobs

Cochrane's strength is in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane Fields serve as a bridge between the production of relevant Cochrane evidence and the implementation of that evidence into the wider field of interest that extends across several health topics. They advocate for the use of Cochrane evidence in health policy and practice and promote awareness and use of evidence-based practices in their area. Here we spotlight the impactful work of Cochrane Rehabilitation, dedicated to enhancing evidence-based rehabilitation practices worldwide.

Cochrane Rehabilitation, formally started in 2016, serves as a bridge between Cochrane and all rehabilitation stakeholders. "Our vision is a world where all rehabilitation decisions are based on the best available evidence, accessible and understood by all," says Stefano Negrini, Director of Cochrane Rehabilitation. With a global perspective that transcends professions and languages, Cochrane Rehabilitation aims to improve the production, dissemination, implementation, and impact of Cochrane rehabilitation evidence.

Cochrane Rehabilitation has been involved in a variety of projects to advance evidence-based practice in rehabilitation. One key initiative is the development of a comprehensive definition for rehabilitation research, which aims to standardise the description of interventions in rehabilitation research, facilitating both primary studies and systematic reviews. Another highlight has been the 5th Cochrane Rehabilitation Methodological Meeting, a global gathering focused on optimizing study designs for practical application in rehabilitation, which exemplifies their commitment to advancing the field. This work makes sure that future rehabilitation research and systematic reviews are of high quality. 

Cochrane Rehabilitation has expanded its reach through a diverse network of partners, including national, regional and international scientific societies, universities, hospitals, journals, and other rehabilitation stakeholders including consumers.  Their advisory board is composed of various stakeholder representatives and experts from various fields within rehabilitation, ensuring alignment with the evolving needs of the global rehabilitation community. They also work with Cochrane geographical groups to translate Cochrane evidence and dissemination materials into multiple languages. "Dissemination is central to what we do and our collaborations with geographical groups and external organisations enhance our efforts and uptake of evidence. We are proud to help foster a culture of knowledge exchange within the global rehabilitation community," says Chiara Arienti, Cochrane Rehabilitation Coordinator. 

One notable partnership has been with the World Health Organization. Through this collaboration, they have developed Cochrane evidence maps for various health conditions, contributing to the Be4rehab project, the REH-COVER action, and the 'Evidence relevant to' project'. Since 2023, Cochrane has been an official member of the World Rehabilitation Alliance, launched by the WHO to promote rehabilitation as an essential health service.  "Our involvement with the World Rehabilitation Alliance supports the focus on promoting rehabilitation as a critical component of health services, thereby enhancing access to quality rehabilitation services worldwide. We are proud that Cochrane Rehabilitation is contributing to bringing trusted evidence to support health decisions and services in rehabilitation globally," notes Carlotte Kiekens, Co-Director of Cochrane Rehabilitation.

Looking ahead, Cochrane Rehabilitation is excited about several new initiatives, including collaborative research projects that engage with rehabilitation researchers to provide methodological guidance from the protocol phase through our Methodological Committee. "Currently, we are particularly focusing on Health Policy and Systems Research in rehabilitation, aiming to provide evidence on strategies for strengthening rehabilitation within health systems," explains Pierre Côté, Chair of the Methodological Committee. This effort aligns with the World Health Assembly resolution, whose goal is to enhance access to quality rehabilitation services worldwide.

Cochrane Rehabilitation welcomes support and collaboration from other groups and organizations to amplify their impact. "We are particularly seeking support in health policy and systems research and efforts in the global south. Continuous funding is also essential to guarantee our future activities. We invite all individuals, groups, and organizations interested in rehabilitation to work with us," emphasizes Francesca Gimigliano,  Cochrane Rehabilitation's Communication Committee Chair. If you are interested in contributing to their mission, please email cochranerehab@dongnocchi.it. Whether you’re a researcher, clinician, policymaker, or advocate, there are numerous opportunities to get involved and make a difference in rehabilitation globally!

• Visit the Cochrane Rehabilitation website
• Follow Cochrane Rehabilitation on social media:
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • X
• Find a Cochrane group in your country

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

A review published in 2015 found a reduction of atrial fibrillation in people undergoing heart surgery if they were given statins before surgery. However, the review was withdrawn in 2016 when questions were raised about some of the included studies. To accompany the publication of the updated review, a Cochrane Library editorial, titled Preoperative statins in cardiac surgery: a tale of small study bias or ‘the truth, and nothing but the truth’, takes a closer look at how the authors handled study registration.

Statins, initially hailed for their potential to reduce cardiovascular risks, have been a topic of debate in the context of cardiac surgery. A recently updated Cochrane review, led by Marques Antunes and colleagues, scrutinised randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared statin therapy with placebo in the perioperative period of elective cardiac surgery. The review included eight RCTs involving 5,592 participants, following stringent criteria to exclude studies that did not have proof of ethics approval or did not have a pre-registered protocol.

The findings indicate that statin use in the perioperative period offers little to no difference in outcomes such as atrial fibrillation, postoperative short-term mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, renal failure, and length of hospital stay. This comprehensive analysis challenges earlier suggestions of significant benefits from smaller, less robust studies.

Rui Providencia’s editorial underscores the critical role of methodological rigor in clinical research and the ongoing challenges posed by small study effects and potentially problematic clinical trials. Cochrane's efforts to exclude unreliable studies and focus on high-quality RCTs are highlighted as essential steps toward reliable evidence synthesis.

"The potential role of statins in patients undergoing cardiac surgery has been a matter of debate over recent years. In this editorial, we go through the important aspects raised by the authors of the recent Cochrane systematic review focusing on the topic."

- Rui Providencia 

The editorial and systematic review collectively underscore the need for cautious interpretation of past findings and the importance of ongoing research to establish clear clinical guidelines.

Read the Cochrane Library editorial:

Providencia R. Preoperative statins in cardiac surgery: a tale of small study bias or ‘the truth, and nothing but the truth’. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2024, Issue 1. Art. No.: ED000167. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.ED000167.

Monday, July 22, 2024

Specifications: Permanent – Full time
Salary: £43,000 per annum
Location: Remote working (UK office located in Central London)
Closing date:  12 June 2024

Cochrane is an international charity. For 30 years we have responded to the challenge of making vast amounts of research evidence useful for informing decisions about health. We do this by synthesising research findings and our work has been recognised as the international gold standard for high quality, trusted information.
Cochrane's strength is in its collaborative, global community. We have 110,000+ members and supporters around the world. Though we are spread out across the globe, our shared passion for health evidence unites us. Our Central Executive Team supports this work and is divided into five directorates: Evidence Production and Methods, Publishing and Technology, Development, Chief Executive Office and Finance and Corporate Services.

As the Executive Support Officer, you will play a pivotal role in providing high-level administrative, organizational, and logistical support to the Editor-in-Chief (EiC) and the senior Evidence Production & Methods (EPMD) team. This role is crucial in ensuring the efficient operation of EPMD projects and activities, as well as providing support to Cochrane’s Editorial Board. By managing the day-to-day administrative tasks and streamlining processes, you will enable the EiC and senior team to focus on strategic initiatives and critical projects.

Don’t have every single qualification? We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job unless they are a perfect match. At Cochrane, we’re not looking for “perfect matches.” We’re looking to welcome people to our diverse, inclusive, and passionate workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but don’t have every single qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. Whether it’s this role or another one, you may be just the right candidate.

Our organization is built on four core values:
Collaboration: Underpins everything we do, locally and globally.
Relevant: The right evidence at the right time in the right format.
Integrity: Independent and transparent.
Quality: Reviewing and improving what we do, maintaining rigour and trust.

You can expect:

• An opportunity to truly impact health globally.
• A flexible work environment
• A comprehensive onboarding experiences.
• An environment where people feel welcome, heard, and included, regardless of their differences.

Cochrane welcomes applications from a wide range of perspectives, experiences, locations, and backgrounds; diversity, equity and inclusion are key to our values.

How to apply

• For further information on the role and click “how to apply”.
• The deadline to receive your application is 10 June, 2024.
• The supporting statement should indicate why you are applying for the post, and how far you meet the requirements, using specific examples.
• Read our Recruitment Privacy Statement

Wednesday, May 29, 2024 Category: Jobs

在世界各地的社区和医疗诊所中，进行眼科检查和提供眼镜的方式有哪些？ 关键信息 1.外展（一种以社区为基础的方法，在各种环境中提供眼科护理，这些环境往往不是永久性的地点）和基于学校的服务提供方法主要用于在社区提供眼科护理，而视力中心主要用于初级保健（一线保健）。 2.在WHO东南亚地区，眼科保健最常通过外展和视力中心提供，而在非洲地区，主要报告的是以学校为基础提供眼科保健和外展服务。在美洲，则主要使用外展服务。 3.我们需要世界卫生组织东地中海地区提供更多的信息，我们需要开展研究来评估哪些方法最有效。 为什么必须提供眼科检查和眼镜？ 许多视力问题都可以通过佩戴眼镜轻松解决。然而，世界上有数百万人无法获得正确配戴眼镜所需的检查和设施。这对很多人来说都是一个问题，因为眼科医疗服务可能很昂贵，或者距离很远。视力不良会影响儿童在学校的学习能力，并且导致人们无法工作。 政府、医疗服务机构、眼科医疗组织和慈善机构采用不同的方法为各类人群提供眼科医疗服务。这可能是将服务带到社区，也可能是在当地提供方便的初级眼科保健服务。 我们想知道什么？ 世界卫生组织（WHO）正在努力为各国提供建议，帮助它们改善眼科保健服务。第一步是了解全世界目前有哪些眼科保健服务，它们设在哪里，以及如何运作。有了这些信息，我们就能找到证据方面的差距，了解未来研究的重点，并有助于世界卫生组织的指导。 我们做了什么？ 我们检索了...

经皮胆红素筛查新生儿黄疸 关键信息 – 黄疸是一种常见的新生儿疾病。如果不及时发现和治疗，可能会导致脑损伤。 – 通过皮肤测量黄疸水平对新生儿进行筛查（称为经皮胆红素筛查）可能会减少再次入院接受光疗的数量，并使更多婴儿在出院前接受光疗。它可能对需要换血治疗黄疸或早期脑损伤的婴儿数量可能影响很小或没有影响。 – 需要进一步研究经皮胆红素筛查对新生儿出院前的影响。 什么是黄疸？ 黄疸是指皮肤和眼白发黄的现象。它是由于血液中一种称为胆红素的色素增加所引起的。当血液中的胆红素水平增加时，它会沉积在皮肤和眼睛中，并导致它们变黄。黄疸是新生儿中非常常见的状况。在大多数情况下，这种状况是无害的，不需要任何治疗。然而，在某些情况下，新生儿需要以照光治疗（光疗）或换血治疗（抽取新生儿的部分血液，用捐献者的血液代替）。血液中高水平的胆红素（称为高胆红素血症）会对新生儿的大脑造成损害，导致大脑永久性损伤，例如脑瘫。早期识别黄疸对于预防潜在的不良影响非常重要。 什么是经皮胆红素筛查？ 经皮胆红素测定法是一种检测新生儿高胆红素血症的检查方法。它的工作原理是将光线射入婴儿的皮肤中，然后用仪器轻轻按压胸骨或前额，测量反射光的强度。该检测可成功检测新生儿高胆红素血症，并被推荐作为新生儿高胆红素血症的适宜筛查工具。 我们想知道什么？ 在本系统综述中，我们旨在评估经皮胆红素筛查与视诊检查相比，对新生儿高黄疸水平的有...

在诊断为血癌（例如白血病、淋巴瘤、骨髓瘤）且需要接受强化治疗（化疗或干细胞移植）的患者中，使用较低的红细胞水平（限制性）与较高的红细胞水平（自由性）相比是否有益处？ 关键信息 • 与自由策略相比，使用限制性红细胞输血策略可能对于31至100天内死亡的受试者数量几乎没有差异，但由于纳入的研究相对较少、纳入的受试者数量较少、干预和结局报告的异质性以及证据的整体质量，该研究问题仍未得到适当解决。 • 与自由策略相比，使用限制性红细胞输血策略可能对于生活质量、任何出血、临床显著出血（例如出血导致失血而需要输血、入院、需要手术或导致死亡）、严重感染、住院时间长度或重新入院的需求几乎没有差异。数据缺失和受试者未采用盲法显著影响了生活质量和出血结局的数据。与主要结局相似，这些问题需要进一步的研究，纳入更多受试者来回答。 • 没有找到有探索强化放射治疗30天内形成血栓的风险或死亡风险的研究。需要开展更大规模的研究，包括儿童以及成人急性白血病患者以外的人群，来回答接受强化治疗的血液恶性肿瘤患者这一更广泛人群的研究问题。 什么是红细胞输血阈值？ • 红细胞输血是一种医疗程序，将捐赠的红细胞提供给需要红细胞的人，以取代他们可能较低的红细胞数。血癌患者，特别是需要化疗或干细胞移植等强化治疗的人，通常需要多次输血。通常情况下，特定的红细胞水平或输血阈值，被用于了解何时给患者进行输血，因为低于该特定水平会对...

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

静脉注射免疫球蛋白对慢性炎性脱髓鞘性多发性神经根神经病是安全且有效的吗? 关键信息 •与假治疗相比，静脉注射免疫球蛋白（Intravenous immunoglobulin, IVIg）至少可以使残疾情况改善2至6周。 •在此期间，IVIg可能与血浆交换和类固醇同样有效。 •一项研究表明，IVIg的效果持续了六个月，但需要更多的研究来了解这种疗效是否会持续更长时间，以及长期的副作用是什么。 什么是慢性炎性脱髓鞘性多发性神经根神经病？ 慢性炎性脱髓鞘性多发性神经根神经病（Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, CIDP）是一种神经发炎导致瘫痪的疾病。成因可能是身体攻击自己的神经系统。 慢性炎性脱髓鞘性多发性神经根神经病如何治疗？ CIDP通常需要长期治疗以防止残疾情况加重。关于最好的治疗方法有很多争论。一种选择是一种叫做免疫球蛋白的药物，它是一种将捐献者血液中抗体纯化后形成的产物，通过静脉滴注给药。已知类固醇药物和血浆置换（一种去除和替换血液中血浆成分的处置过程）是有效的。 我们想要研究什么？ 我们想知道免疫球蛋白在改善CIDP患者的残疾方面是否优于安慰剂（假治疗）、血浆置换或类固醇。我们还想知道免疫球蛋白是否对这一人群有不良影响。 我们做了什么？ 我们检索了在CIDP患者中比较了免疫球蛋白与安慰剂、血浆...

Cochrane's strength lies in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane Geographic Groups represent Cochrane in their host country, advocate for the use of Cochrane evidence in health policy and practice, and support Cochrane's members and supporters who live there. Here we spotlight the impact of Cochrane Japan, who are dedicated to enhancing Japanese healthcare through evidence-based decision-making.

Since 2012 various Cochrane activities happened in Japan but it wasn't until 2014 that a branch in Tokyo was established with an official Cochrane Japan being established in 2017. Today with over 200 members, Cochrane Japan is committed to producing accurate, up-to-date Cochrane reviews and providing support and training to new authors.

Japan holds over four training workshops annually for new authors of Cochrane systematic reviews,  healthcare professionals, and researchers, covering interventions and diagnostic accuracy tests.  "Cochrane Japan workshops bring globally recognized methodology expertise to an accessible platform for future Cochrane authors. These sessions are crucial for fostering evidence-based practice in Japan," says Norio Watanabe, Director of Cochrane Japan. Cochrane Japan collaborates with Cochrane geographic groups in East Asia through the East Asia Cochrane Alliance (EACA), hosting meetings and training workshops. These collaborations enhance the impact of their work by fostering regional cooperation and knowledge sharing.

The group's translation efforts significantly impact healthcare practices and policies in Japan, ensuring that medical professionals and the general population have access to high-quality, evidence-based information.  Cochrane Japan translates and publishes more than 200 plain language summaries of Cochrane reviews in Japanese each year.  There are more than 2900 translations of Cochrane evidence freely available for anyone to search and read. "Distributing plain language summaries in Japanese helps bridge the gap between complex research and everyday healthcare decisions. It's important that people have the latest health evidence in the language they can most easily understand," says Watanabe.

Looking ahead, Cochrane Japan plans to offer free access to RevMan Web for all its members, encouraging more systematic reviews under Cochrane methodology. The group also seeks enthusiastic volunteers for translating plain language summaries and prospective authors for Cochrane reviews. "We welcome anyone in Japan who is passionate about evidence-based healthcare to join us in our mission," Watanabe adds.

• Visit the Cochrane Japan website
• Follow Cochrane Japan on X
  
• Follow Cochrane Japan on Facebook
• Search and view Cochrane evidence in Japanese 
• Find a Cochrane Geographic Group in your country

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Cochrane's strength is in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane Geographic Groups represent Cochrane in their host country, advocate for the use of Cochrane evidence in health policy and practice, and support Cochrane's members and supporters who live there.  Here we focus on the impact of an affiliate centre of the  Cochrane US Network, at Tufts University in Massachusetts, USA.

The US Network promotes evidence-based decision-making in healthcare and public health across the country. It raises awareness of Cochrane and its evidence, supports the production of high-quality systematic reviews, and disseminates these reviews strategically. The network also promotes the use of Cochrane evidence among patients, caregivers, clinicians, health systems, guideline developers, and policymakers.

Comprising some of the nation’s leading institutions in evidence-based medicine and public health, the US Network includes 15 affiliate institutions. Each affiliate institution has its own function and specific areas of expertise and focus. The Tufts University School of Medicine is a leader in public health, nutrition, maternal health, and health equity programs. In 2021 they joined Cochrane Us as an affiliate centre to help build capacity and a critical mass of Cochrane-trained systematic reviews in the United States.   

"Every healthcare and public health decision should be based on the best available evidence. At Tufts University School of Medicine, we are proud to train future clinicians, researchers, and policymakers in Cochrane methods and increase their awareness of Cochrane systematic reviews," says Dr Shayesteh Jahanfar, Director of Tufts University, Affiliate of Cochrane US
Associate Professor, Public Health and Community Medicine.

Founded in May 2021, Cochrane US at Tufts strategic plan includes awareness campaigns, systematic review training, and collaboration with institutions such as the World Health Organization, Indiana University, and Ohio State University. 

The Tufts team frequently hosts author training seminars both domestically and internationally. The Tufts Systematic Review Course, accredited by CEPH, provides medical professionals and postgraduate students with essential training in performing high-quality systematic reviews. Recent training sessions include Cochrane Author training for nutritionists at Rutgers University and training at the International Conference of Twinning. The Tufts team is also active in the Cochrane US Mentorship Program, helping early career professionals and students enhance their skills in evidence-based healthcare.

Collaborations with other Cochrane groups and external organizations amplify the impact of Cochrane US at Tufts. They have worked with the International Twin Register to offer cross-border training, supported Rutgers School of Nursing in submitting Cochrane protocols, and collaborated with Indiana University on systematic reviews and stakeholder training. Notable projects include a scoping review of surgical safety checklists for cesarean sections in collaboration with WHO. Key collaborative efforts include the Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies and the Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute. "Collaborating with others is key to expanding the reach and impact of our work," says Sowmyashree Hanumantha, Cochrane Fellow.

Looking ahead, Tufts is excited about several upcoming projects. By June 2024, they aim to support the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Network of Institutions for Evidence and Data to Policy (NEDtP). They are continuing systematic review training with Western University in Ontario, Canada, and have applied for a Mary Y. Lee CSL Faculty Mini-Grant for a project on building systematic review capacity among high school teachers. Other priorities include securing seed money from the Tisch College Community Research Center, exploring AI applications for juvenile health, and participating in the Cochrane Global Evidence Summit with submitted abstracts.

Cochrane US at Tufts welcomes collaboration and support from individuals and organizations passionate about improving healthcare. They seek funding opportunities to extend their impact and continue enhancing healthcare practices and policies through rigorous research synthesis and evidence dissemination. "As we look to the future, our goal remains steadfast: to enhance healthcare through evidence-based decision-making and collaboration. We invite all those passionate about this mission to join us," concludes Michael Johannesmeyer, Cochrane Fellow. 

• Visit the Cochrane US Website
• Contact Cochrane US at Tufts: shayesteh.jahanfar@tufts.edu (Director),  sowmyashree.hanumantha_setty@tufts.edu (Cochrane Fellow), michael.johannesmeyer@tufts.edu (Cochrane Fellow). 
• Find a Cochrane Geographic Group in your country

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Tuesday, May 21, 2024