Sources of trustworthy information about treatment effects!

Find out how we compiled this guide (PDF download)

Testing Treatments interactive (TTi) does not provide information about the effects of specific treatments for health problems. Some sources for this type of information are listed below.

What kind of information should you be looking for?

1. You need to be able to understand the information, so it should be written in plain language.
2. You need to be able to judge whether the information is likely to be trustworthy.
   Ideally, you’d want:
   1. the information to have taken account of ALL the research evidence relevant to your question ;
   2. the evidence to have been reviewed systematically, and to be readily accessible
3. You may also want to know about relevant ongoing studies, because you may want to find out about or participate in one or more of these.

So, which information sources do we recommend you consider?

Of a dozen information sources using plain English for patients, carers and members of the public, we have selected eight that we have judged most likely to provide understandable, trustworthy information about the effects of treatments.

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Cochrane Evidence

International

• Based on systematic reviews – Yes
• Links to the underlying evidence – Yes
• Links to relevant ongoing clinical trials – No

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Informed Health

Germany

• Based on systematic reviews – Yes
• Links to the underlying evidence – Yes
• Links to relevant ongoing clinical trials – No

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HealthLink BC

Province of British Columbia, Canada

• Based on systematic reviews – Yes
• Links to the underlying evidence – Yes
• Links to relevant ongoing clinical trials – No

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NPS MedicineWise

Australia

• Based on systematic reviews – Can’t tell
• Links to the underlying evidence – Yes
• Links to relevant ongoing clinical trials – No

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Healthdirect

Australia

• Based on systematic reviews – Can’t tell
• Links to the underlying evidence – Partly
• Links to relevant ongoing clinical trials – Yes

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Better Health Channel

State of Victoria, Australia

• Based on systematic reviews – Can’t tell
• Links to the underlying evidence – Partly
• Links to relevant ongoing clinical trials – Yes

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NHS Choices

England

• Based on systematic reviews – Can’t tell
• Links to the underlying evidence – No
• Links to relevant ongoing clinical trials – Yes

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

USA

• Based on systematic reviews – Can’t tell
• Links to the underlying evidence – Yes
• Links to relevant ongoing clinical trials – No

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