Increasing Dietitians' Role in Knowledge Synthesis and Use: Peer Review Training Modules

Increasing Dietitians' Role in Knowledge Synthesis and Use: Peer Review Training Modules 

 The issue

Nutrition is currently a hot topic amongst Cochrane Review users, which is demonstrated in Cochrane’s Where’s the Evidence? A list of top 10 Cochrane Reviews, in which six out of the 10 reviews are related to nutrition. Despite the incidence of nutrition-related reviews found in Cochrane Library, few dietitians participate in the Cochrane peer-review process.

A solution

Cochrane Reviews are an important source of synthesized research for dietitians, as they are used to help guide their practice and keep up-to-date on the latest quality evidence. Cochrane Canada and the Dietitians of Canada identified the need to increase the use of Cochrane Systematic Reviews among dietitians, and together, both groups decided that the first step to accomplishing this is to involve dietitians in the peer review process of Cochrane Reviews.

Dietitians have a unique perspective that is very useful in peer review. Not only do they have nutrition-related knowledge and expertise, but they can also provide insight on what information will be most useful to them in a professional setting, as well as what information their patients are most interested in.

The objectives of the following modules are to:

  • Help dietitians gain confidence, expertise and comfort in knowledge synthesis through peer review
  • Lead more dietitians to getting involved in authoring nutrition-related Cochrane Reviews and integrating them into practice or guidelines
  • Use the professional experience of practicing dietitians to ensure that Cochrane Reviews are relevant to the needs of dietitians

Module 1: An Introduction to Cochrane and Peer Review

Module 2: How to Peer Review Cochrane Protocols and Reviews

Module 3: Statistics in Cochrane Systematic Reviews

The idea to develop peer review training modules specifically targeted to dietitians was developed at a meeting of stakeholders in the dietitian and knowledge synthesis communities. It is our hope that these modules will create an interest amongst dietitians to use Cochrane Reviews and become involved in their development in order to inform dietetic practice and research.

After viewing all three of the modules we ask that you please fill out an evaluation form in order to receive a certificate of completion.

If you have any comments or suggestions on the content or quality of these modules, we would be happy to hear from you. Please email your feedback to Nancy Santesso, Cochrane Canada , at santesna@mcmaster.ca.

Our list of Frequently Asked Questions may help answer your queries about about Cochrane, Cochrane Reviews or Cochrane Library.

*This project was funded by a CIHR Meetings, Planning and Dissemination Grant.