Communicating Evidence From Systematic Reviews to the Public

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this randomised controlled trial is to compare a new standardised summary format for presentation of synthesised evidence from systematic reviews for the public (a new plain language summary format) to the current format used in Cochrane systematic reviews. The study will evaluate if the new presentation improves understanding about the benefits and harms of an intervention, if it improves the accessibility of the information, and if it is preferred over other versions by the public over the current format.

Official Title
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Communicating Evidence From Systematic Reviews to the Public: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Adult

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: New plain language summary format
* Other: Current plain language summary format


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: patients or members of the public 16 years or older

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 16 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: New plain language summary format<br>New plain language summary format of a Cochrane systematic review | Other: New plain language summary format<br>* New plain language summary includes qualitative and quantitative description of text (absolute effects and natural frequencies provided); quantitative results provided in a table; quality of the evidence according to GRADE provided in a table; question and answer format; follows principles of linguistic frameworks (e.g. progressive movements from introduction to 'bottom line')<br>|
| Active Comparator: Current plain language summary format<br>Plain Language Summary format for the public currently in use in Cochrane systematic reviews | Other: Current plain language summary format<br>* Current plain language summary includes qualitative description of effects only; inconsistent description of the quality of the evidence; paragraph of text; inconsistent flow of information<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Understanding of benefits and harms | Average proportion of people who answered 5 multiple choice questions correctly. Each question includes five response options about the number of people who could benefit or be harmed by the intervention and about the quality of evidence | After reading summary - time 0 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of questions answered correctly | Total number of questions out of five questions for benefits and harms that were answered correctly | After reading summary - time 0 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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patient education, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, comprehension, consumer health information