Cochrane is delighted to announce that Cochrane Croatia has been recognized for its outstanding achievements in promoting evidence-based decision-making in health care by being awarded full, independent Centre status.
The Centre consists of longstanding, dedicated Cochrane enthusiasts located at the University of Split School of Medicine, where it is part of the Croatian Centre for Global Health.
Cochrane Croatia will continue to promote evidence-based decision making in health care in Croatia and the region by supporting and training new authors of Cochrane Reviews, as well as working with clinicians, professional associations, policy-makers, patients, and the media to encourage the dissemination and use of Cochrane evidence.
Cochrane Croatia has been part of Cochrane since 2008 when it was established as a Branch of the Italian Cochrane Centre. Cochrane is a global independent network of researchers, professionals, patients, carers, and people interested in health. Cochrane works with collaborators from more than 130 countries to produce credible, accessible health information that is free from commercial sponsorship and other conflicts of interest. Cochrane’s work is recognized as representing an international gold standard for high-quality, trusted information.
Cochrane Croatia will be co-ordinated and led by Drs Irena Zakarija-Grković and Tina Poklepović Peričić, who, together with their team, will offer methodological support, mentoring, and supervision to Cochrane members from the whole region.
Co- Director of Cochrane Croatia, Dr Irena Zakarija-Grković, says this is a hugely exciting opportunity: “The launch of Cochrane Croatia as a full Centre is very important, to Croatia, Europe and globally. Producing and increasing the dissemination of the best available information on health care is critical for clinicians and patients everywhere in the world, including in South-Eastern Europe.”
Cochrane’s CEO Mark Wilson, welcomed today’s news, “I am delighted we are announcing the launch of Cochrane Croatia as a full Centre, the highest recognition of a Cochrane Group. Cochrane Croatia is one of the most energetic within the Cochrane world. Their impact in dissemination, knowledge transfer, combined with their continued development of Cochrane authors has been outstanding. Thanks to the growing base of our collaborators from the University of Split, we’re delighted to recognize the achievements of Cochrane Croatia, and now welcome them as one of 17 Cochrane Centres internationally, committed to the fullest range of Cochrane activities.”
He added, “The work of Dr Irena Zakarija-Grković and her team will deepen and expand the scope, reach, and impact of Cochrane activities on health and healthcare decision making not only in Croatia but throughout the region. There are already groups in neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina inspired by the work of Cochrane Croatia and looking to join Cochrane. Cochrane Croatia will promote recognition of studies conducted and published in Croatia and the region, and this will not only increase the access of evidence, but also promote sharing of clinical experiences across the country, and the world, especially given Cochrane Croatia’s active role in the translation of Cochrane evidence.”
“This is an excellent opportunity for scientific growth and gives us the chance to train students and a future generation that will develop high-quality research. Our chance to support health professionals in improving their decision making based on the best available evidence will support patient care.” Tina Poklepović Peričić, Cochrane Croatia’s Co-Director, concluded, “This is an innovation for our region and we intend to collaborate in the dissemination of Cochrane Reviews and to continue supporting Cochrane to reach its 2020 strategic objectives.”
For more information on the work of Cochrane Croatia, please visit the Centre's website.
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Jo Anthony
Senior Media and Communications Manager, Cochrane
M +44(0) 7582 726 634 E janthony@cochrane.org or pressoffice@cochrane.org
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Cochrane is a global independent network of researchers, professionals, patients, carers and people interested in health.
Cochrane produces reviews which study all of the best available evidence generated through research and make it easier to inform decisions about health. These are called systematic reviews.
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