Application Of Quality Criteria Research Articles

Spinal cord reserve in multiple sclerosis

BackgroundThe spinal cord (SC) is a preferential target of multiple sclerosis (MS) damage highly relevant towards disability. Differential impact of such damage could be due to the initial amount of...

Los criterios de calidad de los programas de Trabajo Social en Chile. Perfil de egreso y resultados

With this research, we sought to increase the degree of information on the quality criteria that the accrediting agencies in Chile have applied to evaluate the achievement of the graduation profiles and their results, in Social Work programs. Through this qualitative research, two dimensions were investigated: On the one hand, trends and patterns observed in the application of quality criteria and, on the other hand, the gaps and deficiencies registered in accreditation agreements. Through the content analysis, thirteen institutional agreements in force at the closing date of this research and available at the National Accreditation Commission were reviewed. The evidence indicated that the primary deficiencies or gaps pointed to the categories of Curricular Inconsistency, Graduation Profile Feedback, and Link with the Environment with high percentages of non-achievement. This research aims to provide critical information to the undergraduate programs in Social Work in the acquisition of learning about the national accreditation system.

OP119 Appraising Qualitative Research For Qualitative Evidence Syntheses

Introduction:The growth of the evidence-based policy movement sought to determine how to better assess and incorporate qualitative evidence in clinical practice and policy development. The question engendered was not whether qualitative research is valuable but how researchers can enhance its rigor. From this discussion arose over one hundred appraisal tools for the quality appraisal process of qualitative studies. For those without a deep familiarity with the qualitative research paradigm, navigating through the breadth of tools to find the most suitable tool for the task is a cumbersome process. This presentation will review the descriptive characteristics of available quality appraisal tools for assessing the quality of primary qualitative studies in qualitative evidence syntheses (QES). This presentation will also offer a critical discussion on the use of reflexivity as a de facto quality criterion, and how methodological reporting may influence the application of quality criteria in QES.Methods:We conducted a systematic search to identify quality appraisal tools of qualitative research designed for use in QES. This search built upon the work of Santiago-Delefosse and colleagues by extending their search to 2016.Results:We identified eight appraisal tools intended for use in the quality appraisal process of a QES. We provide a description of the structure, content, objectives, and philosophies of tools followed by considerations concerning their historical antecedents, common patterns regarding structure, content, and purpose, and the implications of these patterns on the QES process.Conclusions:Quality appraisal of qualitative research is an important step in QES, and there have been a proliferation of tools for this purpose. By providing an overview of available tools detailing their intent and strengths, this presentation will assist those engaging in QES to choose an appropriate tool for their work.

Algorithm for automatic forced spirometry quality assessment: technological developments.

We hypothesized that the implementation of automatic real-time assessment of quality of forced spirometry (FS) may significantly enhance the potential for extensive deployment of a FS program in the community. Recent studies have demonstrated that the application of quality criteria defined by the ATS/ERS (American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society) in commercially available equipment with automatic quality assessment can be markedly improved. To this end, an algorithm for assessing quality of FS automatically was reported. The current research describes the mathematical developments of the algorithm. An innovative analysis of the shape of the spirometric curve, adding 23 new metrics to the traditional 4 recommended by ATS/ERS, was done. The algorithm was created through a two-step iterative process including: (1) an initial version using the standard FS curves recommended by the ATS; and, (2) a refined version using curves from patients. In each of these steps the results were assessed against one expert's opinion. Finally, an independent set of FS curves from 291 patients was used for validation purposes. The novel mathematical approach to characterize the FS curves led to appropriate FS classification with high specificity (95%) and sensitivity (96%). The results constitute the basis for a successful transfer of FS testing to non-specialized professionals in the community.

Measurement of physician-patient communication--a systematic review.

BackgroundEffective communication with health care providers has been found as relevant for physical and psychological health outcomes as well as the patients' adherence. However, the validity of the findings depends on the quality of the applied measures. This study aimed to provide an overview of measures of physician-patient communication and to evaluate the methodological quality of psychometric studies and the quality of psychometric properties of the identified measures.MethodsA systematic review was performed to identify psychometrically tested instruments which measure physician-patient communication. The search strategy included three databases (EMBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed), reference and citation tracking and personal knowledge. Studies that report the psychometric properties of physician-patient communication measures were included. Two independent raters assessed the methodological quality of the selected studies with the COSMIN (COnsensus based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INtruments) checklist. The quality of psychometric properties was evaluated with the quality criteria of Terwee and colleagues.ResultsData of 25 studies on 20 measures of physician-patient communication were extracted, mainly from primary care samples in Europe and the USA. Included studies reported a median of 3 out of the nine COSMIN criteria. Scores for internal consistency and content validity were mainly fair or poor. Reliability and structural validity were rated mainly of fair quality. Hypothesis testing scored mostly poor. The quality of psychometric properties of measures evaluated with Terwee et al.'s criteria was rated mainly intermediate or positive.DiscussionThis systematic review identified a number of measures of physician-patient communication. However, further psychometric evaluation of the measures is strongly recommended. The application of quality criteria like the COSMIN checklist could improve the methodological quality of psychometric property studies as well as the comparability of the studies' results.

Researching service user views in forensic mental health: A literature review

There is increasing emphasis being placed on gaining users' views of health service provision. Forensic mental health services are provided within the context of twin challenges presented by those receiving services and societal responses. Service user views, however, can inform professional responses to their complex needs. The aim of this review is to explore the methodological approaches used to access the perspectives of users of forensic mental health services, to critique these approaches, and explore the range of views of users of forensic mental health services. The primary method employed was a literature review of research papers explicitly accessing perspectives of those categorised as mentally disordered offenders or users of forensic services. The main findings were as follows. First, both the volume and breadth of studies exploring service users' views are limited and limiting. Second, studies demonstrate significant flaws in terms of the conduct, application, and reporting of the research process. Third, service users across studies indicate positive and negative aspects to their experiences of caring, and concern with restrictions on their liberty as inpatients and as community residents. Lastly, given the complexity of ethical issues with largely captive populations, there is a striking absence of discussion of ethical problems in forensic mental health research. The range of approaches to accessing service user perspectives in forensic mental health services requires expansion, both methodologically and theoretically. The application of quality criteria should be more consistent and applied rigorously. A consequence of this is that we still know relatively little of the experience and perspectives of people who use forensic mental health services, and may judge available findings as unreliable.