The Cochrane Patient and Public Network is an open community for anyone interested in healthcare evidence and wanting to participate in its creation and dissemination. It is intended for patients, potential patients, caregivers, users of health and social services, and organizations that represent these groups.

Today, this international community includes more than 2,500 people from over 100 countries. For more than 30 years, Cochrane has believed that involving patients and the public in research is essential to producing evidence that is relevant, accessible, useful, and impactful for health decision-making. This is not research “on” patients, but research “with” them and “for” them.

Why Join?

Membership in the network is free and offers a range of benefits:

• Community: Connect with others who are passionate about high-quality healthcare evidence.
• Discounts and Events: Receive discounts on local and international Cochrane events.
• Leadership Opportunities: Apply for roles in the Cochrane Patient and Public Network Executive Team.
• Representation: Represent patients and the public on Cochrane’s Editorial Board, which oversees the publication of systematic reviews.

How Can You Get Involved?

• Creating Evidence: Collaborate with leading researchers in the development and sharing of healthcare evidence.
• Education: Access free learning materials, interactive training, and the Cochrane Library.
• Newsletter: Receive a monthly newsletter with updates, training opportunities, and calls for participation.
• Collaboration: Connect with a specific group, topic, or area of interest.
• Recognition: Earn points towards Cochrane membership, which brings additional benefits and a chance to influence the direction of the organization.

What Can You Influence?

Your experiences matter. They help shape the right research questions, design meaningful studies, and ensure results are accessible to those who truly need them. You don’t need technical knowledge—your personal experience with the healthcare system is the most valuable.

Participation can take many forms, from giving feedback to collaborating on research projects. Your involvement can help focus research on people’s real needs, making it more meaningful and impactful.

As Karen Morley from the UK puts it: "We participate not just to broaden researchers’ perspective, keep our needs in the spotlight, prevent waste or improve research, but because we have the right to be meaningfully involved in the decisions made about us."

How to Join?

Simply fill out a short registration form. Then, create your Cochrane account. After registration, you’ll receive a welcome pack with information on evidence, training, and ways to get involved.

Do you want to stay informed? When registering, you can also subscribe to the monthly newsletter with news and opportunities.

Get involved and help co-create better healthcare for everyone!