The Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) has introduced a new
feature: brief summaries of reviews, written by staff of the Centre for
Reviews and Dissemination (CRD).
The 60 word CRD summary aims to help searchers to quickly identify what the
review is about, the authors' main conclusions and the reliability of the
conclusions. The summary captures both the main points of the review and the
DARE appraisal of its quality. This new feature will appear in all full
records where the original research was published in 2003 or later. This
feature is live on the CRD website and will be available in issues of the
Cochrane Library later this year. The summaries could be useful for
inclusion in current awareness bulletins, and we would be keen to discuss
other ways to promote the use of the summaries in local settings.
A typical CRD summary is shown below:
Eysenbach G, Powell J, Englesakis M, Rizo C, Stern A. Health related virtual
communities and electronic support groups: systematic review of the effects
of online peer to peer interactions. BMJ, 2004;328:1166-1170.
This review assessed the effect of computer-based peer to peer communities
and self-support groups on health-related outcomes. The authors concluded
that there was no robust evidence available. These conclusions are
appropriate and reliable.
http://nhscrd.york.ac.uk/online/dare/20048372.htm
CRD's databases can be searched at:
http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/crddatabases.htm
CRD is funded by the NHS R&D Programme to promote access to research
evidence via databases and an enquiry service. The enquiry service is
available free of charge and is funded to provide specialist advice and help
on searching for the evidence. Staff can carry out searches for
effectiveness and cost-effectiveness evidence, on behalf of enquirers. To
contact the CRD enquiry service call 01904-321846 or email
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Julie Glanville
Acting Director (Administration)
Centre for Reviews and Dissemination
University of York
York
YO10 5DD
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