Objectives:
The purpose of this research is to increase evidence-informed health sector decisions in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) to contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). To do this, the Consortium will:
- Prepare, and facilitate the production of, scientifically defensible, reliable, relevant systematic reviews, and develop new methods where required;
- Prepare accessible, relevant and timely messages in a variety of dissemination products;
- Build on policy networks to increase, understand and stimulate demand for evidence;
- Develop capacity to prepare reviews, understand evidence, use and demand evidence, and carry out and manage high quality research.
Research Questions include:
- What reviews do policy makers need?
- How can we best interpret and present this evidence in context with clear messages to a variety of stakeholders?
- What are effective ways of facilitating understanding, demand and use of reliable evidence in a variety of policy networks?
- What are effective approaches in generating capacity?
Background:
Reliable, accessible evidence is essential to help inform decisions in health care – for policy makers, health providers, patients and the public. Researchers use rigorous methods to evaluate what works, but findings often vary. We know now that we should not focus on single studies for policy decisions, but first summarise all relevant research in carefully conducted systematic reviews. Only then can messages be truly derived from the global research evidence.
As part of The Cochrane Collaboration, a global organisation committed to preparing and updating systematic reviews, this Consortium brings together five internationally recognised partners that have track records in preparing high quality, systematic reviews relevant to low- and middle-income countries.
Three lead large research networks in Africa, South Asia, and China; and the others lead global teams synthesising research in infectious diseases and health service organization and financing. All have track records in preparing high quality, systematic reviews relevant to low - and middle-income countries; all are skilled in effective dissemination and know how to influence policy; and all have highly effective working relationships with each other, embedded within the global Cochrane Collaboration.
This 2010-2016 programme, will make a substantive contribution to further building the evidence-base for prevention and treatment strategies that save lives and reduce suffering. Effective and efficient health care will be established by using existing research, analysed and summarised carefully. New approaches will be developed, closely linked to the multilateral agencies, particularly the World Health Organization (WHO). Consortium partners will work together to help ensure the poorest countries adopt policies and access advice in the health sector that is in the best interests of the poor. A substantive investment in a wide range of strategies for getting research used in policy and practice will be made.
Through the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group (CIDG) the Consortium is a major contributor to The Cochrane Collaboration. The CIDG is made up of 300 authors and 14 editors across 40 countries. The Consortium co-ordinates the research outputs of the CIDG providing continuous technical support and helping people with common interests to work together. Training fellowships are provided to ensure people learn the methods of research synthesis and complete their systematic reviews successfully.