Abstract:
Executive summary • This updating project aimed to assess the feasibility of a centralised updating process within The Cochrane Collaboration and to identify the barriers and workload associated with such a process. • Eight reviews were identified for inclusion in the project (one was later withdrawn after consultation). On average these reviews each took 6.4 months (range 3-11 months) to update from receipt of the search strategy to submission for editorial review. • In general, the feedback from Review Groups was positive and supportive. The main barriers were a lack of familiarity with Review Groups’ methodology, out of date methodology within the groups and lack of author commitment. The majority of groups that were surveyed would like to see the project continue in a similar format, although the method of prioritisation should be reviewed to ensure that the result is a substantive update of a priority review within each field.