Evidence-based Principles Research Articles

Effects and Clinical Value of Peritoneal Dialysis on Water and Water Balance, Adverse Reactions, Quality of Life, and Clinical Prognosis in Patients with Decompensated Chronic Nephropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective To systematically evaluate the effects of peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis on renal function and quality of life in patients with end-stage renal disease. An evidence-based medical rationale would be provided for peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis treatment in patients with end-stage renal disease. Methods The PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China VIP Database, Wanfang, and China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) online databases were searched. Comparisons on the effects of peritoneal dialysis on renal function and quality of life were taken between patients with end-stage renal disease (RD). The data were extracted independently by two researchers. The bias-risk-included literatures were assessed according to the Cochrane manual 5.1.0 standard. RevMan 5.4 statistical software was used to analyze the collected data via meta-analysis. Results Seven RCT articles were finally included. A total of 745 samples were analyzed via meta-analysis. The obvious heterogeneities of serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were discovered (P < 0.00001) in the selective investigations. According to the results of this analysis, it was indicated that the renal function of patients with end-stage renal disease treated by peritoneal dialysis was significantly better than that of hemodialysis. According to the meta-analysis, there was obvious heterogeneity of life quality among the included research data. It was indicated that the score of quality of life of patients with end-stage renal disease treated by peritoneal dialysis was significantly better than that of hemodialysis. Conclusion Compared with hemodialysis in the treatment of end-stage renal disease, the renal function and quality of life of patients with peritoneal dialysis are better than those of hemodialysis. More further studies and follow-up with higher methodological quality and longer intervention time are still needed for further verification.

Changing the culture: a qualitative study exploring research capacity in local government

BackgroundLocal government has become a key constituent for addressing health inequalities and influencing the health of individuals and communities in England. Lauded as an effective approach to tackle the multiple determinants of health, there are concerns that generating and utilising research evidence to inform decision-making and action is a challenge. This research was conducted in a local authority situated in the north of England and addressed the research question – ‘What is the capacity to collaborate and deliver research?’. The study explored the assets that exist to foster a stronger research culture, identified barriers and opportunities for developing research capacity, and how a sustainable research system could be developed to impact on local residents’ health and reduce health inequalities.MethodsThis was a qualitative study utilising semi-structured interviews and focus groups. The study used an embedded researcher (ER) who was digitally embedded within the local authority for four months to conduct the data collection. Senior Managers were purposively sampled from across the local authority to take part in interviews. Three focus groups included representation from across the local authority. Framework analysis was conducted to develop the themes which were informed by the Research Capacity Development framework.ResultsTensions between research led decision making and the political and cultural context of local government were identified as a barrier to developing research which addressed health inequalities. Research was not prioritised through an organisational strategy and was led sporadically by research active employees. A recognition across leaders that a culture shift to an organisation which used research evidence to develop policy and commission services was needed. Building relationships and infrastructure across local government, place-based collaborators and academic institutions was required. The embedded researcher approach is one method of developing these relationships. The study identifies the strengths and assets that are embedded in the organisational make-up and the potential areas for development.ConclusionResearch leadership is required in local government to create a culture of evidence-based principles and policy. The embedded research model has high utility in gaining depth of information and recognising contextual and local factors which would support research capacity development.

Speaking a common language: the international consensus on bicuspid aortic valve nomenclature and classification.

The congenital bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) condition is a valvulo-aortopathy with heterogeneous phenotypic expressions and clinical outcomes. A multitude of pre-existing classification systems, some extensive and some succinct, utilize combinations of numbers and/or letters to describe the condition. These diverse nomenclature systems are used according to the random preference of clinicians and researchers, generating confusion in clinical practice and research alike, effectively creating a barrier of communication at multiple levels. Based on imaging, pathology, surgery and clinical history evidence-based principles, and in utilizing the English language, the international nomenclature and classification consensus on the congenital BAV and its aortopathy offers a simple nosologic and phenotypic format that covers all possible phenotypes and clinical presentations of the bicuspid valvulo-aortopathy. From the nosology perspective, the valvulo-aortopathy has three major clinical presentations: (I) typical valvulo-aortopathy; (II) complex valvulo-aortopathy; and (III) undiagnosed or uncomplicated valvulo-aortopathy. From the valvular perspective, the congenital BAV has three major phenotypic expressions: (I) the fused BAV; (II) the 2-sinus BAV; and (III) the partial fusion (forme fruste) BAV. From the aortopathy perspective, the condition has three major phenotypic expressions: (I) ascending phenotype; (II) root phenotype; and (III) extended phenotypes. The international consensus is intended for universal use by Clinicians (pediatric and adult), echocardiography sonographers and physicians, cardiovascular advanced-imaging specialists, interventional cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, pathologists, geneticists and researchers encompassing clinical and basic research areas. When new landmark research is available, this international consensus may be subject to change in accordance with evidence-based data.

Evidence-Based Cognitive Endoscopy Simulators: Do They Exist? A Systematic Search and Evaluation of Existing Platforms.

BackgroundThe development of guidelines by gastroenterology societies increasingly stresses evidence-based endoscopic practice.AimsWe performed a systematic assessment to determine whether endoscopic video teaching platforms incorporate evidence-based educational strategies and methods in order to disseminate guideline-based endoscopic management strategies.MethodsPlatforms with a video component were systematically identified using the Google search engine, Apple and Android application stores, and searching four major gastroenterology society websites and three known platforms, to identify all relevant platforms. Two video samples from each teaching platform were reviewed independently by two authors and assessed for use of a priori defined principles of evidence-based medicine, as determined by consensus agreement and for the use of simulation.ResultsFourteen platforms were included in the final analysis, and two videos from each were analyzed. One of the 14 platforms used simulation and incorporated evidence-based medicine principles consistently. Nine of the 14 platforms were not transparent in regard to citation. None of the platforms consistently cited the certainty of evidence or explained how evidence was selected.ConclusionsEducation of guideline-based endoscopic management strategies using principles of evidence-based medicine is under-utilized in endoscopic videos. In addition, the use of cognitive simulation is absent in this arena. There is a paucity of evidence-based cognitive endoscopy simulators designed for fellows that incorporate systematic evaluation, and efforts should be made to create this platform.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10620-022-07558-w.

Interventions Against Posttransplantation Diabetes: A Scientific Rationale for Treatment Hierarchy Based on Literature Review.

Posttransplant diabetes (PTD) is a common medical complication after solid organ transplantation. Because of adverse outcomes associated with its development and detrimental impact on long-term survival, strategies to prevent or manage PTD are critically important but remain underresearched. Treatment hierarchies of antidiabetic therapies in the general population are currently being revolutionized based on cardiovascular outcome trials, providing evidence-based rationale for optimization of medical management. However, opportunities for improving medical management of PTD are challenged by 2 important considerations: (1) translating clinical evidence data from the general population to underresearched solid organ transplant cohorts and (2) targeting treatment based on primary underlying PTD pathophysiology. In this article, the aim is to provide an overview of PTD treatment options from a new angle. Rationalized by a consideration of underlying PTD pathophysiological defects, which are heterogeneous among diverse transplant patient cohorts, a critical appraisal of the published literature and summary of current research in progress will be reviewed. The aim is to update transplant professionals regarding medical management of PTD from a new perspective tailored therapeutic intervention based on individualized characteristics. As the gap in clinical evidence between management of PTD versus type 2 diabetes widens, it is imperative for the transplant community to bridge this gap with targeted clinical trials to ensure we optimize outcomes for solid organ transplant recipients who are at risk or develop PTD. This necessary clinical research should help efforts to improve long-term outcomes for solid transplant patients from both a patient and graft survival perspective.

Wastewater Wars: Using Persuasion Tactics to Overcome Cognitive Distortions

We describe a short, interactive case-based activity for illustrating cognitive distortions of communication underlying resistance to change. Based on a real-life story, the case describes a failed effort by the mayor of Toowoomba, Australia to fund a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant. After reading the case, students work individually and in small groups to identify examples of cognitive distortions in the communication between the mayor’s office and the citizens of Toowoomba and then suggest better approaches based on evidence-based principles of persuasion. The Wastewater case is both engaging and versatile and has proven popular for students in undergraduate, graduate, and executive education courses. We discuss learning objectives, provide step-by-step instructions for running the activity, describe variations and adaptations for online courses, and include suggestions for debriefing the activity.

Iron surveillance and management in gastrointestinal oncology patients: A national survey of physician practice.

e13644 Background: In 2018, there were an estimated 4.8 million new cases of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers worldwide and 3.4 million related deaths. Iron deficiency (ID) is a frequent complication of GI malignancy that eventually manifests as iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Early recognition and treatment of ID/IDA in GI oncology patients is an important aspect of care. Traditional serum ferritin monitoring and oral iron supplementation hold limited diagnostic and therapeutic value in this population as it may be falsely elevated and confounded by poor absorption and blood loss, respectively. Therefore, we conducted a survey of Canadian physicians to assess disparities in IDA surveillance and management practices in GI cancer patients. Methods: From February 2020 to September 2021, a 20-question electronic survey was sent to Canadian medical oncologists (MO), surgical oncologists (SO), and gastroenterologists (GE). The survey collected information on four domains: demographics, screening practices, treatment practices, and knowledge of the latest guidelines of ID/IDA. Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 108 (55 GE, 19 SO, and 34 MO) of the 872 (12.4%) invited physicians completed the survey. A greater proportion of GE (70.9% compared to 36.8% of SO, and 26.5% of MO) measured baseline iron parameters. Of these, a slight trend of iron parameters were being measured mainly at initial consult (61.5% of GE, 85.7% of SO, and 44.4% of MO), with little continuing surveillance throughout treatment course. Most physicians who measured iron parameters relied on ferritin mainly (82.1% of GE, 100% of SO), while MO were evenly distributed in their evaluation of ferritin (88.9%), serum iron (100%), total iron binding capacity (100%) and iron saturation (88.9%). The majority supplemented iron if ID/IDA was identified prior to systemic/surgical oncologic treatment (94.2% of GE, 85.7% SO, and 66.7% of MO). Of these, parenteral iron was the preferred modality for SO (85.7%), while oral iron was preferred among GE (82.8%) and MO (55.6%). The majority of physicians (81.3%) were not aware of the ASH/ASCO guidelines regarding the use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents in conjunction with parenteral iron supplementation for treatment anemia in this setting (92% of GE, 66.7% of SO, and 80.9% of MO). Conclusions: Results from this Canadian survey suggests a disparity in practice pattern for IDA management between different specialties caring for GI oncology patients. Moreover, there appears to be a gap in knowledge and thus a gap in care surrounding evidence-based IDA management principles which may be contributing to poor clinical outcomes. Focused knowledge translation and exchange efforts are required to improve treatment of ID/IDA in patients with GI cancer nationally.

P-42 Iron surveillance and management in gastrointestinal oncology patients: A national survey of physician practice

In 2018, there were an estimated 4.8 million new cases of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers worldwide and 3.4 million related deaths. Iron deficiency (ID) is a frequent complication of GI malignancy that eventually manifests as iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Early recognition and treatment ofID/IDA in GI oncology patients is an important aspect of care. Traditional serum ferritin monitoring and oral iron supplementation hold limited diagnostic and therapeutic value in this population as it may be falsely elevated and confounded by poor absorption and blood loss, respectively. Therefore, we conducted a survey ofCanadian physicians to assess disparities in IDA surveillance and management practices in GI cancer patients. From February 2020 to September 2021, a 20-question electronic survey was sent to Canadian medical oncologists (MO), surgical oncologists (SO), and gastroenterologists (GE). The survey collected information on four domains: demographics, screening practices, treatment practices, and knowledge of the latest guidelines of ID/IDA. Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics. A total of 108 (55 GE, 19 SO, and 34 MO) of the 872 (12.4%) invited physicians completed the survey. A greater proportion of GE (70.9% compared to 36.8% of SO, and 26.5% of MO) measured baseline iron parameters. Of these, a slight trend of iron parameters were being measured mainly at initial consult (61.5%of GE, 85.7% of SO, and 44.4% of MO), with little continuing surveillance throughout treatment course. Most physicians who measured iron parameters relied on ferritin mainly (82.1% of GE, 100% of SO), while MO were evenly distributed in their evaluation of ferritin (88.9%), serum iron (100%), total iron binding capacity (100%) and iron saturation (88.9%). The majority supplemented iron if ID/IDA was identified prior to systemic/surgical oncologic treatment (94.2% of GE, 85.7% SO, and 66.7% of MO). Of these, parenteral iron was the preferred modality for SO (85.7%), while oral iron was preferred among GE (82.8%) and MO (55.6%). The majority of physicians (81.3%) were not aware of the ASH/ASCO guidelines regarding the use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents in conjunction with parenteral iron supplementation for treatment anemia in this setting (92% of GE,66.7% of SO, and 80.9% of MO). Results from this Canadian survey suggests a disparity in practice pattern for IDA management between different specialties caring for GI oncology patients. Moreover, there appears to be a gap in knowledge and thus a gap in care surrounding evidence-based IDA management principles which may be contributing to poor clinical outcomes. Focused knowledge translation and exchange efforts are required to improve treatment of ID/IDA in patients with GI cancer nationally.

An Analysis of the Proposed Changes to the IEEE Fellow Elevation Process (Invited Paper)

The grade of Fellow is conferred by the IEEE Board of Directors upon an IEEE member with an extraordinary record of accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest. The Fellow grade recognizes extraordinary individual technical or educational accomplishments, in line with the IEEE Certificate of Incorporation that states that the purposes and objects of the Corporation are “to engage exclusively in scientific and educational activities.” An effort to review the Fellow elevation process was started by the IEEE Board of Directors back in 2020, culminating today in a proposal that drastically changes many aspects of the elevation process. Several concerning issues with this proposal were identified by multiple stakeholders, such as the 2021 Fellow Strategic Planning Subcommittee (FSPS) and several Societies and Technical Councils who expressed their strong objections to the proposal. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the proposal and concludes that the proposed changes derive from a misunderstanding of the current Fellow processes and are based on a misidentification of the root causes of the perceived shortcomings in the current practice. Furthermore, the proposed changes lack an evidence-based rationale for justifying making such drastic changes while the available evidence points to their ineffectiveness at addressing the stated goals. The objective of this article is to help IEEE members and decision makers better understand what is at stake and make informed decisions on a difficult and complex topic.

The management of segmental femur fractures: the radiographic 'cover-up' test to guide decision making

BackgroundSegmental femur fractures often pose management challenges regarding the optimal fixation choice and sequence of surgical events. MethodsRetrospective review of clinical records and radiographic data of adult patients with segmental femur fractures treated by a conceptual radiographic cover-up test to determine the ideal fixation method between January 2019 and December 2020. ResultsForty patients with 84 individual fractures underwent fracture fixation. The most consistent fracture combinations were intertrochanter-diaphysis (AO31A-AO32) fractures (25%, n = 10) and femur neck-diaphysis (AO31B-AO32) fractures (20%, n = 8). Compared to evidence-based fracture management, the gold standard treatment was used for the fixation of 78 fractures (93%). One patient required revision for fixation failure of a diaphyseal fracture, and two fractures, both open diaphysis injuries, developed fracture-related infections. ConclusionAnatomical alignment and high union rates are possible for segmental femur fractures treated by evidence-based fracture fixation principles. A conceptual radiographic cover-up test assists in matching the best possible implant for each fracture.

Development of a novel flow cytometry method for detecting pneumococcal-specific B cells.

Antigen-specific B cell identification by flow cytometry is crucial for investigating their immunophenotype, subset distribution, and kinetics post-infection or immunization. Methods using biotinylated polysaccharide antigens have been described, but there is still room for improvement regarding sensitivity and applicability. The aim of this study was the development and validation of a multimer bead-based method for detecting pneumococcal polysaccharide serotypes (PS)-specific B cells following pneumococcal immunization. PS was chemically biotinylated and mounted on anti-biotin beads, and labeled with phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated anti-biotin antibody to form a PS-multimer used for cell staining. Labeled beads were washed to remove excess fluorochrome and diminish non-specific labeling and background noise. Optimal ratios of PS-bead conjugate to PE and PS-multimer to cells were determined with titration assays. Comparison between the PS-multimer and a PS-PE monomer revealed enhanced detection of PS-specific cells and considerable signal amplification, attributed to the multimeric form of the detection probe and increased availability of antigen epitopes. To validate the specificity of the method, a competition assay using unbound PS was performed. Following pre-incubation with increasing PS concentrations, detection of PS-specific B cells with the PS-multimer was inhibited in a stepwise manner. Pre-incubation with excess PS completely blocked the fluorescent signal. This novel bead-based flow cytometry approach is a sensitive method demonstrating high specificity. It generated enhanced signals, provided clear-cut results, and was easily applicable, not requiring B cell pre-enrichment. It could be modified to adapt other antigens of interest, especially polysaccharides and proteins that could be used to probe antigen-specific B cell responses. The study of such responses may elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved in the establishment of long-term protection, provide evidence-based rationale for improving currently available vaccines and vaccination strategies, and pave the way for future vaccine development.

Dietary Characteristics and Influencing Factors on Chinese Immigrants in Canada and the United States: A Scoping Review.

Background: Chinese immigrants are an integral part of Canadian and American society. Chinese immigrants believe diet to be an important aspect of health, and dietary behaviours in this population have been associated with changes in disease risk factors and disease incidence. This review aims to summarize the characteristics of the dietary behaviours of Chinese immigrants and the associated influencing factors to better inform individual, clinical, and policy decisions. Methods: This scoping review was written in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE, PsychINFO, CINAHL, AgeLine, ERIC, ProQuest, Nursing and Allied Health Database, PsychARTICLES, and Sociology Database were utilized for the literature search. Articles were included if they explored dietary or nutritional intake or its influencing factors for Chinese immigrants to Canada or the United States. Results: A total of 51 papers were included in this review. Among Chinese immigrants in Canada and the United States, the intake of fruits and vegetables, milk and alternatives, and fiber were inadequate against national recommendations. Chinese immigrants showed increased total consumption of food across all food groups and adoption of Western food items. Total caloric intake, meat and alternatives intake, and carbohydrate intake increased with acculturation. Individual factors (demographics, individual preferences, and nutritional awareness), familial factors (familial preferences and values, having young children in the family, and household food environment), and community factors (accessibility and cultural conceptualizations of health and eating) influenced dietary behaviours of Chinese immigrants. Discussion and Conclusion: Efforts should be undertaken to increase fruit, vegetable, and fibre consumption in this population. As dietary acculturation is inevitable, efforts must also be undertaken to ensure that healthy Western foods are adopted. It is important for healthcare providers to remain culturally sensitive when providing dietary recommendations. This can be achieved through encouragement of healthy ethnocultural foods and acknowledgement and incorporation of traditional health beliefs and values into Western evidence-based principles where possible.

Evidence-based principles of time, triage and treatment: Refining the initial medical response to massive casualty incidents.

The overall approach to massive casualty triage has changed little in the past 200 years. As the military and civilian organizations prepare for the possibility of future large-scale combat operations, terrorist attacks and natural disasters, potentially involving hundreds or even thousands of casualties, a modified approach is needed to conduct effective triage, initiate treatment, and save as many lives as possible. Military experience and review of analyses from the Department of Defense Trauma Registry are combined to introduce new concepts in triage and initial casualty management. The classification of the scale of massive casualty (MASCAL) incidents, timeline of life-saving interventions, immediate first pass actions prior to formal triage decisions during the first hour after injury, simplification of triage decisions, and the understanding that ultra-MASCAL will primarily require casualty movement and survival needs with few prehospital life-saving medical interventions are discussed. Self aid, bystander, and first responder interventions are paramount and should be trained and planned extensively. Military and disaster planning should not only train these concepts, but should seek innovations to extend the timelines of effectiveness and to deliver novel capabilities within the timelines to the greatest extent possible.

A Critical Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Acupuncture for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence.

Objectives As a urinary dysfunction disorder, stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is more common in women than in men. Acupuncture, a traditional minimally invasive technique, has potential efficacy in the treatment of SUI. The purpose of this overview is to critically assess the available evidence on acupuncture for the treatment of SUI in women. Methods Two researchers searched seven databases for systematic reviews (SRs)/meta-analyses (MAs) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture for SUI. Two researchers assessed the included SRs/MAs using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2), the Risk of Bias in Systematic (ROBIS) scale, the list of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA), and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Results Eight published SRs/MAs were included in our overview. According to the results of the AMSTAR-2 assessment, all SRs/MAs were of very low quality. According to the ROBIS evaluation results, no SR/MA was assessed as low risk of bias. According to the results of the PRISMA checklist assessment, no SR/MA was fully reported on the checklist. According to GRADE, a total of 27 outcomes extracted from the included SRs/MAs were evaluated, and only 1 was rated as high quality. Conclusions Acupuncture may be an effective and safe complementary treatment for SUI in women. However, further standard and comprehensive SRs/MAs and RCTs are needed to provide an evidence-based medical rationale for this.

Refining active learning design principles through design-based research

This design-based research (DBR) study had both local and general goals. Its local goal was to increase active learning in the online courses offered at a large research university in the midwestern United States. Its larger goal was to define active learning design principles for online courses in general, so that they might be used to improve the learning experience for wider audiences. While the principles of active learning can be applied to courses in any mode of delivery: flipped classroom, blended, or fully online, the importance of active learning in online courses is highlighted because active learning course design requires numerous upfront considerations. Moreover, because the pedagogical model is structured throughout the online learning environment and thus is made visible, online courses present a unique opportunity to review what is core to the principles of active learning. The design intervention (an innovative course review method) incorporated the principles of authentic e-learning. The study addressed two major research questions: (1) “To what extent does the intervention—a new course review method—indicate the extent to which active learning is present in the design of an online course?” and (2) “How do the principles of authentic e-learning incorporated in the new course review method need to be refined?” To address the first question, the online course review intervention was used to evaluate the learning activities and assessments of 75 undergraduate online courses against these authentic e-learning principles, resulting in an active learning (AL) score for each course. To address the second question, we surveyed the learners in these 75 courses about what made learning meaningful and coded the learners’ feedback in reference to the active learning design principles. The practical outcome of this DBR study is a pedagogical course review that quantifies active learning in online courses. The theoretical outcomes of this DBR study are refined active learning design principles that can serve instructors, designers, teacher educators, and administrators in enhancing the design of online courses. The findings of this study affirm that the authentic task principles as well as newly identified learner-centered design principles together can serve as evidence-based principles to define and refine active learning in online courses.

The Embodiment of Architectural Experience: A Methodological Perspective on Neuro-Architecture.

People spend a large portion of their time inside built environments. Research in neuro-architecture—the neural basis of human perception of and interaction with the surrounding architecture—promises to advance our understanding of the cognitive processes underlying this common human experience and also to inspire evidence-based architectural design principles. This article examines the current state of the field and offers a path for moving closer to fulfilling this promise. The paper is structured in three sections, beginning with an introduction to neuro-architecture, outlining its main objectives and giving an overview of experimental research in the field. Afterward, two methodological limitations attending current brain-imaging architectural research are discussed: the first concerns the limited focus of the research, which is often restricted to the aesthetic dimension of architectural experience; the second concerns practical limitations imposed by the typical experimental tools and methods, which often require participants to remain stationary and prevent naturalistic interaction with architectural surroundings. Next, we propose that the theoretical basis of ecological psychology provides a framework for addressing these limitations and motivates emphasizing the role of embodied exploration in architectural experience, which encompasses but is not limited to aesthetic contemplation. In this section, some basic concepts within ecological psychology and their convergences with architecture are described. Lastly, we introduce Mobile Brain/Body Imaging (MoBI) as one emerging brain imaging approach with the potential to improve the ecological validity of neuro-architecture research. Accordingly, we suggest that combining theoretical and conceptual resources from ecological psychology with state-of-the-art neuroscience methods (Mobile Brain/Body Imaging) is a promising way to bring neuro-architecture closer to accomplishing its scientific and practical goals.

Improving Public Messaging About Advance Care Planning, Palliative Care, and Hospice Using Evidence-Based Principles (VT102)

Improving Public Messaging About Advance Care Planning, Palliative Care, and Hospice Using Evidence-Based Principles (VT102)

Vocabulary Assessment Techniques: Perspectives of School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists

This study documented the standardized tests and informal assessment techniques that school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) reported as most helpful for identifying vocabulary deficits and for monitoring progress. Speech-language pathologists ( N = 142) working in U.S. public school settings completed an online survey that included multiple-choice, multiple-answer, and open-ended formats. Percentages and frequency counts were reported. For identifying vocabulary deficits, SLPs favored omnibus language tests over vocabulary-specific tests. The most frequently selected informal assessments for identifying vocabulary deficits were language samples and curricular-based measures. For monitoring progress, respondents favored creating their own tasks and using curricular-based measures. Minor differences were noted in the responses of elementary and middle-high school SLPs. Results were compared with evidence-based principles for vocabulary assessment.

How do college students use digital flashcards during self-regulated learning?

ABSTRACT Over the past two decades, digital flashcards – that is, computer programmes, smartphone apps, and online services that mimic, and potentially improve upon, the capabilities of traditional paper flashcards – have grown in variety and popularity. Many digital flashcard platforms allow learners to make or use flashcards from a variety of sources and customise the way in which flashcards are used. Yet relatively little is known about why and how students actually use digital flashcards during self-regulated learning, and whether such uses are supported by research from the science of learning. To address these questions, we conducted a large survey of undergraduate students (n = 901) at a major U.S. university. The survey revealed insights into the popularity, acquisition, and usage of digital flashcards, beliefs about how digital flashcards are to be used during self-regulated learning, and differences in uses of paper versus digital flashcards, all of which have implications for the optimisation of student learning. Overall, our results suggest that college students commonly use digital flashcards in a manner that only partially reflects evidence-based learning principles, and as such, the pedagogical potential of digital flashcards remains to be fully realised.

An exploratory study of speech-language pathologists’ clinical practice in the literacy domain: Comparing onsite practices with telepractice services during COVID-19

Purpose: To explore speech-language pathologists' (SLP) practice in literacy prior to, and during, COVID-19 to understand the practicalities, feasibility and sustainability of telepractice literacy services. Method: This exploratory study employed a cross-sectional survey comprising 46 questions covering participants’ caseload profile and service delivery models, their assessment and intervention practices and telepractice delivery of literacy services. Result: Participants were 44 SLPs working primarily in private practice and education with children and adolescents. Students with literacy difficulties comprised a significant proportion of SLPs’ caseloads. Individual and group sessions were the most common format of delivery prior to COVID-19. In a telepractice model during COVID-19, SLPs saw fewer students overall. Most provided individual sessions only and reported cancellation of group sessions. SLPs described their practice in literacy as being aligned with evidence-based principles. A range of resources were used for literacy assessment and intervention. For most, their usual practice changed for telepractice. Many felt underprepared to use telepractice and experienced numerous challenges mostly relating to technology and family engagement. Conclusion: Literacy has become a core area of practice for SLPs; however, continued advocacy towards consultative and collaborative services is needed within onsite and telepractice models. Telepractice required SLPs to develop additional skills and modify usual practice. Despite experiencing challenges, many indicated they would continue with telepractice given its perceived benefits.