Comparison of blogshots with plain language summaries of Cochrane systematic reviews: a qualitative study and randomized trial

摘要

BACKGROUND: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. However, the optimal type of presentation of evidence to consumers is still unknown.OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to investigate consumer preferences for different summary formats of Cochrane systematic reviews (CSRs), using both qualitative and quantitative approaches.METHODS:Initially, 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).RESULTS:Participants 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 ηsup2/sup?=?0.04).CONCLUSION: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.TRIAL REGISTRATION:The trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03542201. Registered on May 31st 2018.