Regional Support Units
Regional Support Units have been proposed to provide additional infrastructure and support for Cochrane Review Groups and Cochrane Centres in these early stages of the preparation of Cochrane systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy.
At the present time there are very few methodologists with knowledge of diagnostic test evaluation field available to Cochrane review groups. Systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy require greater methodological knowledge than reviews of trials. Key differences arise in the location of literature, assessing study designs and execution, statistical analysis and interpretation of results, which require expert knowledge not currently available in the majority of Cochrane Review Group editorial teams.
The aims of the Regional Support Units will be to
- increase capacity within the Cochrane Review Group editorial teams and
- support them with their first systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy
Regional support units will also work with regional Cochrane Centres to develop training materials and build capacity to deliver training to CRGs and to authors.
Regional Support Units will work with authors registered with CRGs within that region.
UK Support Unit (Convened)
Supports Cochrane Review Groups in the UK and Authors of SR DTA registered with UK based CRGs and provides training for UK-based Cochrane Review Groups and UK-based authors.
Continental Europe Support Unit (Convened)
Supports Cochrane Review Groups in Continental Europe and Authors of SR DTA registered with Continental Europe-based Cochrane Review Groups and provides training for Continental Europe-based Cochrane Review Groups and Continental Europe-based authors.