The Cochrane Musculoskeletal Review Group has several members who represent the consumers’ viewpoint in deciding which reviews are done, what questions are focused on, and how results are presented. Within the group, consumers have already fulfilled some of the following specific roles and responsibilities:
I. CORE FUNCTIONS
To bring a Patient/Consumer Perspective to the Review Process
To bring Cochrane Reviews to Consumers
Assist with peer reviewing of protocols and systematic reviews
Produce lay summaries of all systematic reviews completed by CMSG
Disseminate lay summaries to patients/consumers
Consult interested organizations to determine their review priorities
Participate in producing one or more systematic reviews
II. FUNCTIONS IN SUPPORT OF CMSG
Recruit new members to the Consumer Group
Promote financial support and public interest in CMSG
Help write, edit and translate the CMSG newsletter and other materials
The following documents will provide you with some insights into consumer involvement in the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Group.
One Consumer's Viewpoint
A note from Rebecca Coghlans, Perth, W Australia."Consumer Representation on the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Review Group"
Summary of a presentation at the 6th International Cochrane Colloquium.Considering the Colloquium
Ann Qualman was the former Consumer Group Coordinator for CMSG. She attended the 2001 Cochrane Colloquium held in Lyon, France and came away with new perspective on the different roles of consumers both within the Cochrane Consumer Network and the collaborative review groups.