Registrants with library privileges have free access to all Cochrane reviews through the College library. Since the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews can be classified as either a database or a journal, it may be accessed through several library webpages:
- Databases – click Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews or Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) Reviews (a collection of evidence-based databases including Cochrane reviews and the research appraised to develop the Cochrane reviews)
- Books and Journals – click eJournals and search for “Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews”
What is Cochrane and why are its reviews important in evidence-based practice? The Cochrane Collaboration is a non-profit global network of researchers who create systematic reviews and meta-analyses on important questions in health care. The rigor of the Cochrane review methodology has set the standard for creating systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Cochrane does not accept commercial or conflicted funding, adding unbiased reliability to their research. Locating a Cochrane review on a topic of interest ensures the user that they have found authoritative research that is worthy of consideration to change or confirm a practice.
Free access to Cochrane reviews is possible for registrants through the College's membership in the Electronic Health Library of British Columbia, a consortium of health libraries dedicated to ensuring a level playing field for high-quality health information access for BC researchers, students, and health professionals.
