Independent author network Cochrane on the subject of cancer under the direction of Cologne

31.01.2018 15:03

The Cochrane Collaboration is a global network of scientists and doctors who produce reviews to evaluate medical therapies. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Nicole Skoetz, physician and computer scientist, Clinic I for Internal Medicine at the University Hospital of Cologne, has led the review group on hematological diseases since 2008 - since the beginning of 2018 she has led the newly formed “Cochrane Cancer” network.

There are 52 Cochrane topic-specific review groups worldwide. Most are based in Great Britain - only two groups are based in Germany. To ensure the high quality of the Cochrane reviews, great importance is placed on a systematic methodology based on evidence-based criteria. This is ensured through close collaboration with “Cochrane Methods Groups”. Currently, over 37,000 scientists, doctors, methodologists and health professionals as well as patients from more than 130 countries are working to create reliable health information that is free from commercial or interest-based sponsorship.

The doctor and computer scientist Priv.-Doz. Dr. Nicole Skoetz is a recognized methodologist in oncology. The focus of her work is on innovative methodological procedures such as reviews on prognostic questions, meta-analyses and qualitative evidence synthesis. She also coordinates various oncological guidelines and thus ensures that the findings from the Cochrane reviews are incorporated into patient care.

“There are currently many new and sometimes extremely expensive medications in oncology. Accordingly, the need for independent research that carries out a benefit and risk assessment for the patient is increasing. This is my priority,” explains Priv.-Doz. Skoetz. With the leadership of the “Cochrane Cancer” group, she also became a member of the newly established ten-member Cochrane Editorial Board, which controls the content of the groups and defines quality standards.