Cochrane is a global independent network of researchers, professionals, patients, carers, and people interested in health. Cochrane exists so that healthcare decisions get better.
During the past 20 years, Cochrane has helped to transform the way health decisions are made.
Cochrane is an international not-for-profit and independent organisation of more than 31,000 dedicated people from more than 120 countries. The Cochrane Collaboration is dedicated to make up-to-date, accurate information about the effects of healthcare readily available worldwide.
Our vision
Our vision is a world of improved health where decisions about health and health care are informed by high-quality, relevant and up-to-date synthesized research evidence.
Our mission
Our mission is to promote evidence-informed health decision-making by producing high-quality, relevant, accessible systematic reviews and other synthesized research evidence.
Our principles
Cochrane's work is based on ten key principles:
1 | Collaboration | by fostering global co-operation, teamwork, and open and transparent communication and decision-making. |
2 | Building on the enthusiasm of individuals | by involving, supporting and training people of different skills and backgrounds. |
3 | Avoiding duplication of effort | by good management, co-ordination and effective internal communications to maximize economy of effort. |
4 | Minimizing bias | through a variety of approaches such as scientific rigour, ensuring broad participation, and avoiding conflicts of interest. |
5 | Keeping up-to-date | by a commitment to ensure that Cochrane Systematic Reviews are maintained through identification and incorporation of new evidence. |
6 | Striving for relevance | by promoting the assessment of health questions using outcomes that matter to people making choices in health and health care. |
7 | Promoting access | by wide dissemination of our outputs, taking advantage of strategic alliances, and by promoting appropriate access models and delivery solutions to meet the needs of users worldwide. |
8 | Ensuring quality | by applying advances in methodology, developing systems for quality improvement, and being open and responsive to criticism. |
9 | Continuity | by ensuring that responsibility for reviews, editorial processes, and key functions is maintained and renewed. |
10 | Enabling wide participation | in our work by reducing barriers to contributing and by encouraging diversity. |
The goal of the Cochrane Collaboration is: "Working together to provide the best evidence for health care". We produce, disseminate and update systematic reviews (over 5,000 so far) of healthcare interventions, with the goal to faciliate daily health-care decision-making for all stakeholders in the healthcare environment (healthcare practicioners, policy-makers, patients). The Cochrane Collaboration was founded in 1993 and named after the British epidemiologist, Sir Archie Cochrane.
The major product of the Collaboration is the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews as part of The Cochrane Library .
Those who prepare the reviews are mostly healthcare professionals who volunteer to work in one of the many Cochrane Review Groups, with editorial teams overseeing the preparation and maintenance of the reviews, as well as application of the rigorous quality standards for which Cochrane Reviews have become known.
The activities of the Collaboration are directed by an elected Steering Group and are supported by staff in Cochrane Entities (Centres, Review Groups, Methods Groups, Fields/Networks) around the world.
Further reading:
- Newcomers' Guide - about The Cochrane Collaboration and getting involved
- Impact of Cochrane evidence
- See other introductory documents
- Browse our Press Kits
- View an example of a Cochrane Review
- Browse the list of Cochrane Review Groups
- Read Newsletters of various Cochrane groups & centres
- Information about Cochrane prizes & awards
Read more about Cochrane:
- Find out more at cochrane.org
- Introductory documents - including a newcomer's guide, brochures, and a chronology
- Official and organizational documents - strategy, structure, & procedures
- Training and publicity resources - including handbooks, PowerPoint presentations, and more