South African Cochrane Centre
Want to make a difference?
Are
you made of mentor material?
The South African Cochrane Centre (SACC) and the Cochrane HIV/AIDS
Group are currently seeking experienced reviewers to act as mentors in an
exciting new initiative. The HIV/AIDS Mentoring Programme kicked off in October
2000 with the main aim of increasing the number of Cochrane reviews relevant
to HIV/AIDS in resource-poor settings, particularly sub-Saharan Africa. Novice
reviewers from the region are paired with a more experienced reviewer and
also receive regular mentorship from staff of the SACC. So far, thirteen reviewers
have been recruited through this scheme and demand is growing. We cannot grow
this programme without your assistance. We need you to join this initiative
and become a mentor.
What
we want from you
We are looking
for committed Cochranites who can offer:
- methodological experience
(no need to be an HIV expert - most of our reviewers deal with HIV daily
in their practices);
- regular e-mail contact
and once monthly e-mail chats with the reviewers;
- willingness to train
people with limited epidemiological skills;
- willingness to work
with people who do not speak English as their first language; and,
- willingness to provide
support and advice throughout the review process
A structured protocol
development programme is available which can be tailored to the needs of the
individual mentor and the reviewers. Mentors are not expected to act as co-reviewers
unless this is desirable for both parties.
What
you get from us
You stand
to gain an exciting opportunity to:
- interact with people
battling to care for consumers with HIV/AIDS on a daily basis;
- learn about a new culture;
- experience new reviewers'
enthusiasm and eagerness to learn;
- recognise that your
contribution can make a difference at an individual and global level; and,
- fulfil the 10th Cochrane
principle of enabling wide participation.
What
have you got to lose?
Send us 100 - 200 words on why you would make a good mentor and a list of
your previous Cochrane involvement. We look forward to hearing from you!
E-mail: cochrane@mrc.ac.za;
Fax: +27 21 938 0836 |
