Summary-of-findings tables in Cochrane reviews improved understanding and rapid retrieval of key information.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the effects of a summary-of-findings (SoF) table on user satisfaction, understanding, and time spent finding key results in a Cochrane review.


METHODS
We randomized participants in an evidence-based practice workshop (randomized controlled trial [RCT] I) and a Cochrane Collaboration entities meeting (RCT II) to receive a Cochrane review with or without an SoF table. In RCT I, we measured user satisfaction. In RCT II, we measured correct comprehension and time spent finding key results.


RESULTS
RCT I: Participants with the SoF table (n=47) were more likely to "agree" or "strongly agree" that it was easy to find results for important outcomes than (n=25) participants without the SoF table-68% vs. 40% (P=0.021). RCT II: Participants with the SoF table (n=18) were more likely to correctly answer two questions regarding results than (n=15) those without the SoF table: 93% vs. 44% (P=0.003) and 87% vs. 11% (P<0.001). Participants with the SoF table spent an average of 90 seconds to find key information compared with 4 minutes for participants without the SoF table (P=0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
In two small trials, we found that inclusion of an SoF table in a review improved understanding and rapid retrieval of key findings compared with reviews with no SoF table.
Rosenbaum
Sarah E
SE
Department of Communication, Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services, Oslo, Norway. sarah.rosenbaum@kunnskapssenteret.no
Glenton
Claire
C
Oxman
Andrew D
AD
D032882:Comprehension; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003626:Data Display / Q000592:standards; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D012107:Research Design; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D013997:Time Factors