Abstract
BackgroundCochrane, an organization dedicated to the production and dissemination of high-quality evidence on health, endeavors to reach consumers by developing appropriate summary formats of its systematic reviews. However, the optimal type of presentation of evidence to consumers is still unknown.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate consumer preferences for different summary formats of Cochrane systematic reviews (CSRs), using both qualitative and quantitative approaches.MethodsInitially, we conducted three focus groups with medical students (n = 7), doctors (n = 4), and patients (n = 9) in 2017 to explore their health information search habits and preferences for CSR summary formats. Based on those findings, we conducted a randomized trial with medical students at the University of Split School of Medicine, Croatia, and with patients from three Dalmatian family practices to determine whether they prefer CSR blogshots (n = 115) or CSR plain language summaries (PLSs; n = 123).ResultsParticipants in the focus groups favored brief and explicit CSR summary formats with fewer numbers. Although we found no difference in participants’ preferences for a specific summary format in the overall sample, subgroup analysis showed that patients preferred blogshots over PLSs in comparison to medical students (P = 0.003, eta squared effect size η2 = 0.04).ConclusionCSR summaries should be produced in a format that meets the expectations and needs of consumers. Use of blogshots as a summary format could enhance the dissemination of CSRs among patients.Trial registrationThe trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03542201. Registered on May 31st 2018.
Highlights
Cochrane, an organization dedicated to the production and dissemination of high-quality evidence on health, endeavors to reach consumers by developing appropriate summary formats of its systematic reviews
Cochrane systematic review (CSR) summaries should be produced in a format that meets the expectations and needs of consumers
Use of blogshots as a summary format could enhance the dissemination of CSRs among patients
Summary
An organization dedicated to the production and dissemination of high-quality evidence on health, endeavors to reach consumers by developing appropriate summary formats of its systematic reviews. Lay consumers are rarely included in the development of written materials targeting them [4], and there is still no evidence that any intervention improves health literacy [5], which would help the lay population make health decisions independently For these reasons, identification of optimal formats of health information would be important for informed decision-making. Cochrane is going to great lengths to present this evidence to lay consumers in formats that are acceptable, accessible, and comprehensible [6] These include plain language summaries (PLSs)—a brief summary of a systematic review written in plain language—and infographics—a visual presentation accompanied with simple text. Despite standards and style guidelines, Cochrane PLSs remain diverse, varying in size and structure [7]
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