Cochrane has a new production model
Cochrane's new model for synthesising evidence is well underway. Our new Central Editorial Service is fully operational, and our Thematic Groups and Evidence Synthesis Units are up and running.
We are taking an agile approach across all these initiatives; testing out ideas and processes to allow the model to evolve in a way that ensures Cochrane is sustainable, and focused on major global health challenges now and into the future.
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Scientific Strategy: Cochrane has defined strategic priorities as part of a five-year Scientific Strategy to reduce the health inequities and disparities that persist in healthcare globally. These priorities provide a focus for fundraising activity at the organisational level.
Diverse topic coverage: Cochrane groups have expertise in a wide range of areas and extensive networks of topic specialists, healthcare consumers, and methods experts. They ensure Cochrane addresses the right questions across diverse topic areas for diverse audiences.
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Content development pathways: Cochrane now has Evidence Synthesis Units - based around the world - which can focus on developing evidence to address the world’s most urgent health care needs. They operate alongside Thematic Groups and Review Groups to deliver high-quality Cochrane evidence. Cochrane teams work flexibly and collaboratively depending on the expertise needed, turnaround times required and how the work is funded. Other Cochrane groups and independent author teams can also submit manuscripts for consideration.
Author support: Cochrane provides a range of support, including training modules, bespoke tools, a dedicated support team, and access to methods experts and the topic knowledge available through Thematic Groups and Review Groups.
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Quality assurance: The Central Editorial Service evaluates every submission using a consistent process to maintain Cochrane’s high standards. The team of independent editors seek input from topic experts, methodologists and people with lived experience. A central production team prepares the manuscripts for publication.
Expert input: Topic experts from all Cochrane groups can support the central editorial process, through robust processes that ensure there is a clear separation between manuscript development and editorial decision making.
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Sharing evidence where it’s most needed:
Cochrane groups use their extensive networks to ensure that important evidence syntheses reach the people who can use them to improve health outcomes globally. Centrally, Cochrane also works with journalists and communications experts to share evidence in accessible ways.
Cochrane Thematic Groups are topic-based collectives with specialist knowledge and expertise. They help identify priority areas, engage with key stakeholders to harness Cochrane’s extraordinary volunteer network and support the production of high-quality evidence.
We have recently announced the launch of Cochrane's first-ever Evidence Synthesis Units. These collaborative, multi-topic research groups will play a crucial role in delivering trusted Cochrane evidence to address major global health challenges.
Cochrane’s Central Editorial Service (CES) is now fully operational as the editorial office of Cochrane’s Central Executive team. The CES team ensures the quality and integrity of all protocols, reviews, and updates published on the Cochrane Library.
Latest News
Useful webinars and videos - ask questions, find training resources and find out more
As part of our ongoing Future Cochrane programme we have collated some useful webinars and training videos for members of our community to ask questions, share thoughts and ideas and discuss these changes.
Key changes
Over the next few years, we are transitioning from our traditional structure of 52 review groups and satellites to a streamlined model.
Evidence Synthesis Units (ESUs): These will be located across high, low, and middle-income countries, and focus primarily on delivering high-quality, high-impact synthesized evidence to our stakeholders.
Thematic Groups: These groups will concentrate on global priorities, stakeholder engagement, consumer involvement, evidence synthesis, evidence dissemination, and knowledge translation.
Central Editorial Service: This service will manage the editorial process for all evidence syntheses published in the Cochrane Library, enhancing quality and consistency.
In addition to this, a suite of focused projects are set to simplify systems and processes, developing tools to boost efficiency in evidence synthesis production.
This transformation won't happen overnight. We've proposed a change process spanning two to four years, allowing us to fine-tune the model.
Click here to read more about why these changes are happening
How will this affect Groups?
Existing entities like Cochrane Methods and Consumer Groups will continue to play important roles in the new model. Review Groups, Fields, and Geographic Groups with stable funding will operate during the transition time, considering their evolution within the new model over the next two to four years. Several groups are already 'early adopters' via Thematic Groups, while others may consider establishing a Cochrane Evidence Synthesis Unit in their region.
Thematic Groups will work alongside Evidence Synthesis Units to develop evidence synthesis to submit to a Central Editorial Service, to guarantee independence, quality assurance and integrity.
Cochrane Review Groups with secure funding or other means of supporting review development work are invited to focus on prioritisation, review preparation, and knowledge translation during the transition period. They will have time over the next two to four years to consider if, when and how they will evolve as part of the new model.
Cochrane Fields and Geographic Groups with stable funding will continue to operate throughout the transition period and will also have time to consider how may evolve as part of the new model.
Cochrane Methods and Consumer Groups have an ongoing role in the new model.