Summary of findings tables for communicating key findings of systematic reviews

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Methodology). The objectives are as follows:. To assess the effects of 'Summary of findings' tables on communicating key findings of systematic reviews of the effects of healthcare interventions. This will be achieved by:. assessing the effects of 'Summary of findings' tables versus full versions of systematic reviews on communicating key findings of systematic reviews of the effects of healthcare interventions; assessing the effects of 'Summary of findings' tables plus full review versus full review (no 'Summary of findings' tables); assessing the effects of 'Summary of findings' tables versus other summaries of systematic reviews on communicating key findings of systematic reviews of the effects of healthcare interventions; assessing the effects of interactive 'Summary of findings' tables versus static 'Summary of findings' tables on communicating key findings of systematic reviews of the effects of healthcare interventions; assessing the effects of 'Summary of findings' tables versus other formats of 'Summary of findings' tables on communicating key findings of systematic reviews of the effects of healthcare interventions; assessing how particular participant groups e.g. patients, healthcare providers, policy makers, understand and apply the information from the 'Summary of findings' tables.