This is a web version of a series of emails sent to authors. Other emails in the series:

Your Cochrane Review: start here / Cochrane Learning: free to review authors! / Research Integrity: be aware of Conflict of Interest

Cochrane Methods Support: online guidance & live web clinics / Sharing Cochrane evidence: plan ahead! / Ready to submit your Cochrane protocol? Read this first

Your Cochrane Review: involving patients and the public

As you are working on your protocol, this is the perfect time to think about involving healthcare consumers (patients and the public) in your Cochrane Review. Cochrane policy recommends patient and public involvement in systematic reviews. This ensures that the review is relevant and meaningful. Cochrane is committed to having consumer involvement in all aspects of its work.

Help is available to support you in involving consumers. If this is new to you, start by reading Involving consumers (patients and public) in your Cochrane review - a brief guide for authors. We suggest four ways that you can involve people:

as members of the author team
as part of an advisory group
in identifying and prioritising outcomes
at the outset and end of your review

Cochrane’s Consumer Network includes 2,000 consumer volunteers, in 106 countries. They are part of a supportive community, and ready to be involved. These, and other volunteers, can be found by posting on Cochrane Engage.

Please also access our Involving People learning resource. This is free, evidence-based learning, co-produced with consumers and designed specifically for you. It is full of advice, guidance, and links to other resources.

Finally, Cochrane’s Consumer Engagement Officer can help you with advice and practical support. Email consumers@cochrane.org .

Best wishes,

Richard Morley

Cochrane Consumer Engagement Officer

Development Directorate

Cochrane Central Executive Team

The Cochrane Collaboration, a charity (no. 1045921) and a company limited by guarantee (no. 03044323) registered in England & Wales.

Registered office: 11-13 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0AN, United Kingdom