COCHRANE CONSUMER NETWORK

1
COCHRANE CONSUMER NETWORK

• PRESENT
• PAST
• FUTURE

2
THE PAST

• 1993 - the first Colloquium in Oxford, England
  first steering committee was appointed by the
  participants Hilda Bastian represented
  consumers on that Steering Committee
• 1994 the Cochrane Consumer Network was proposed
  a second consumer position on the Steering
  Committee was granted

3
THE PAST CONTD

• 1995 there were 25 members in the Network and
  Hilda Bastian became Coordinator
• First AGM was held in in Oslo, Norway
• Interim coordinating committee consisted of Jean
  Jones (Canada), Fran Visco (USA), Ros Woods
  (Australia) and Hilda Bastian (Australia)

4
THE PAST CONTD

• 1996 the membership more than doubled
• The second AGM was held in Adelaide, Australia
• 14 consumers attended from six countries
• The first newsletter was published

5
THE PAST CONTD

• 1997 membership was a key priority
• The second newsletter was published
• 25 consumers from 8 countries attended the
  Amsterdam Colloquium
• A local management committee in Adelaide was
  developed that was directly accessible to
  Convenor rather than an international structure

6
THE PAST CONTD

• 1998 the Convenor was supported financially for
  two days plus a coordinator who worked for two
  days per week
• Funding was provided by ACC to CCN
• Three newsletters were published
• The first consumers from developing countries
  (South Africa and Zimbabwe) attended the
  Colloquium in Baltimore, Maryland

7
THE PAST CONTD

• 1999 was the year of the Rome Colloquium
• Two newsletters were published
• CCN membership was at 353
• Communications costs were increasing
  necessitating the switch over to e-mail and web
  communications

8
THE PAST CONTD

• ACC grant moved to Melbourne, CCN stayed in
  Adelaide and was left with some funding
• Medibank Private began funding a web-based
  consumer health information system paid directly
  to CCN
• Capetown, South Africa AGM was attended by 20
  consumers from 11 countries
• Less emphasis on recruiting consumers with more
  concern for activating and supporting existing
  membership

9
PAST CONTD

• 2001 saw a decrease in funding from the ACC
• Funding became a major concern
• CCCNI was incorporated as a non-profit
  association to receive outside funding
• AGM in Lyon was attended by 23 people from 10
  countries
• A governance working party was established

10
THE PAST CONTD

• 2002 was a real shift for the organization
• While membership had grown substantially, it was
  felt that the governing body should be truly
  international
• Working group continued on the governance
  document
• The Convenor resigned from the Management
  Committee and her work with Medibank Private on
  the health information website continued

11
THE PRESENT

• 2003 (January) the new governing council took
  office
• Membership of the Governing Council is Godwin
  Aja (Nigeria), Don Baumber (Australia), Gill Gyte
  (England) Samuel Ochieng (Kenya), Silvana Simi
  (Italy), Janet Wale (Australia), Liz Whamond
  (Canada) and Sara Yaron (Israel)

12
THE PRESENT CONTD

• We have major challenges in terms of funding as
  there were no assets remaining from the previous
  management. All work is conducted by the
  Governing Council
• We procured funding through the Australian
  Department of Health and Ageing to host a
  workshop in Australia, to develop a checklist
  exercise, to conduct a survey of Cochrane
  Collaborative Review Groups and Fields on
  consumer participation and a model strategic plan

13
THE PRESENT (CONTD)

• An orientation folder has been developed through
  the Australian funding
• Four newsletters have been produced
• We continue to monitor the consumer e-mail list
• We have members on the Cochrane Steering Group
  and several sub-committees

14
THE PRESENT (CONTD)

• The Governing Council met in Barcelona in Oct.
• Our name changed to Cochrane Consumer Network
  (CCNet)
• We had a Special General Meeting and an AGM
  during the Colloquium
• Several consumer workshops were held including
  Making Sense of Evidence
• The Governing Council has been renamed to the
  Coordinating Team
• The CCSG provided discretionary funds to CCNet

15
The Future

• Our governance document will be re-examined to
  ensure that its realistic and meets the needs of
  consumers worldwide
• We will to continue to grow our membership
• Our draft Strategic Plan will be further
  developed
• We are working towards becoming a Cochrane Field