I have just been at the first plenary session at the 22nd Cochrane Colloquium. As always, lots of great thoughts are shared there.

These are some that I would like to mention:

• Evidence should play a key role in making health policies. This concept was strongly suggested by a WHO representative. I agree, Lots of health guidelines are based mainly in experts opinions and not in available evidence. That is a problem. We, researchers, should work hard to improve those guidelines in that way. Health research should drive us to go in the right direction. The SPA of health care is Science-Policy-Action.
• People should make well-informed decisions. Besides the policy and health interventions, it is needed the community empowerment through their education and participation. This is a great message. The more the patients know about their treatments, the more we doctors inform them, the better they will choose and the better results we will have.

 

I like coming to these meetings. They always remind us which is the right way.