For primary research to have a real impact on health and well-being, the flow of information must be facilitated along the way in order to inform decisions. While the evidence synthesis provided by the Cochrane Collaboration fills a major gap in this circuit, our work does not end at the completion of a review. The term knowledge translation (KT) refers to the strategies involved in closing those gaps between independent groups and events to allow us to fully benefit from research.
The Cochrane Musculoskeletal Group attempts to reach consumers through the use of Plain Language Summaries. These summaries recap the main ideas and results of a systematic review in everyday language. The CMSG also develops Decision Aids to reach clinicians and patients, helping them work through decisions about treatment options.