Web site of the month: Ask DORIS

Question about stroke? Ask DORIS

DORIS (Database Of Research In Stroke) is a free to access resource which aims to bring together the best evidence in relation to stroke.

DORIS was developed by the Cochrane Stroke Group with the aim of providing:

• Access to the best evidence, including systematic reviews, RCTs and guidelines
• Ongoing research
• A way of identifying priorities for future research
• A platform for collaboration

DORIS has a number of useful search tools to enable you to access the evidence. With a selection of drop down filters, you can quickly search for medical management and complications, specific interventions or just enter text to perform a general search. 

DORIS also recognises words if you have truncated them (for example, enter "therap" to find therapy, therapies, therapist, therapists etc.), and there is also a filter that allows you to narrow your search by time (acute treatment, late treatment, prevention).

Once you have found your results, DORIS has a number of filters that allow you to look for specific types of information (e.g. systematic reviews), research in progress or even areas of uncertainty (future research). Where possible it also links you to the full text.

DORIS is free to use, but does require you to register with a valid email address before you can access the database. Don't let that put you off, DORIS is a really useful resource for anyone involved with the care and treatment of stroke.