1/12 Some thoughts after the recent #PatientsIncluded #Cochraneforall conference and discussion about the value and method of involvement. We couldn’t say this in a key note unfortunately @cochraneconsumr Thread. 
2/12 Cochrane has much to celebrate about its involvement. Cochrane’s healthcare consumers are an essential part of the organisation & were from the very beginning. Today there is an international group of consumers 1,500+ strong, represented in 80 countries around the world.
3/12 We know why consumers volunteer because they told us in 2015 in a survey. They are all united by an interest in evidence-based medicine, and a desire to be a part of creating Cochrane evidence. consumers.cochrane.org/ccnet-structur…
4/12 There is an active core of around 300-500 regularly involved in all stages of review production from priority setting, to peer reviewing to disseminating evidence and governance of the organisation. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of them!
5/12 Cochrane believes involvement is important because it promotes transparency, accountability and trust; results in better evidence & is expected of us. The Statement of Principles sets out Cochrane’s position and was co-produced with consumers consumers.cochrane.org/news/statement…
6/12 Our consumers told us this is "a moral and human right”, “The priorities, desires & interests of patients should be central...”, “I believe it is important to have such a statement of principles for Cochrane to be reminded...who is Cochrane for, if not consumers?”
7/12 We know we can improve, involving people from across the world, & the quality of what we do. A group of consumers, researchers & others co-produced Project ACTIVE & Involving People: resources for our review authors. training.cochrane.org/involving-peop… (We’re pretty proud of these!)
8/12 As well as supporting authors with evidence-based resources there are online learning resources for consumers in a collection here: training.cochrane.org/online-learnin…
9/12 We’re really excited too with these new learning resources we are creating, about Evidence Based Medicine, Cochrane evidence, and getting involved. Our first module should be ready by the end of the year.
10/12 And we have launched an international network for public involvement and engagement in health & social care research with partners to help create an environment where involvement can grow. 200 organisations and individuals so far!. consumers.cochrane.org/news/internati…
11/12 And didn’t we just have an amazing #PatientsIncluded Edinburgh conference? Many consumers came from all parts of the globe and changed the conversation at the conference #Cochraneforall
12/12 There’s much more we want and need to do: Cochrane Membership for consumers, more research to fill evidence gaps in reporting & measuring our impact, work with Cochrane Centres. Our Consumer Network Executive of elected members is ambitious. Here are some of them! End
