Implementation Of Peer Review Research Articles

Beyond boundaries: exploring radiographers’ experiences and solutions in organ-at-risk delineation for radiotherapy planning

Abstract Introduction: This study aimed to assess the perception of radiographers on the difficulties encountered during the delineation of organs at risk (OARs) for radiotherapy planning and the methods that could be used to facilitate this process. Methodology: A self-designed questionnaire was distributed to all radiographers (n = 29) employed at the radiotherapy department in Malta. The survey assessed the challenges faced by the radiographers during the delineation of various OARs and inquired about the perceived effectiveness of specific measures that could be used to facilitate the delineation process using a Likert scale ranging from 1 (not difficult/effective) to 5 (very difficult/effective). Results: The response rate was 79%. Overall, the delineation of OARs was rated as slightly difficult (mean score 1.95 ± 0.33). Nevertheless, some OARs, such as the parotid, stomach and brain stem, were deemed more difficult to contour with a mean score of 3 or higher. The implementation of peer review was perceived as the most influential factor in reducing delineation difficulty (mean score 4.59 ± 0.58), followed by contouring training (mean score 4.48 ± 0.58) and training on artificial intelligence (AI) (mean score 4.35 ± 0.48). Conclusion: The introduction of peer review, training and AI could facilitate the delineation of OARs.

Double- Blind Peer Review in Scientific Periodicals in the Humanities – Aspects of Publons’ Usage in Bulgaria

Based on Publons and the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI) data, we analyze the state of peer-review procedures' implementation in Bulgarian SSH (Social Sciences and Humanities) scholarly journals. We establish the beginning of Bulgarian journals' transformation and the application of a specific peer-review Bulgarian model in terms of attracting foreign reviewers. At the same time, compared with our neighbouring countries, an apparent abandonment and lack of evaluation procedures' verification is observed. The paper also justifies the need to improve the higher education policy in introducing adequate criteria tracking the status and actual implementation of peerreview in scientific periodicals.

Establishing Teachers’ Professional Development Through Peer Review

The demand for professional development for teachers in higher education is paramount. In doing so, the teachers must have a good professional development scheme in upgrading their knowledge and skills in performing their main duty. This research was aimed at investigating the areas of teachers’ professional development which are supported by the implementation of peer review in team teaching. It also aims at exploring the challenges in applying team teaching. This study applied qualitative research design with the interview as the data collection method and four English teachers as the participants of the research. The result showed that there are three aspects of TPD which occur. The first one is an attitude which becomes better in terms of improved awareness of the teachers. The other element is self-esteem where it is also improved due to the feedback given after the peer review. While the third is patience. As suggested in the feedbacks, teachers require to be more patients in dealing with misbehaving students. As for the challenges, it can be concluded that they come from two different sources. The first one is from the individual teacher where they think that some of the suggestions cannot be done or too hard to do. The second one is, Since TPD requires funding, the institution should also provide necessary and sufficient funding to support the TPD. This can be done by setting up the policy dealing with the sustainable TPD which, in turn, will give more benefits to the institution.

Establishing Teachers’ Professional Development Through Peer Review

The demand for professional development for teachers in higher education is paramount. In doing so, the teachers must have a good professional development scheme in upgrading their knowledge and skills in performing their main duty. This research was aimed at investigating the areas of teachers’ professional development which are supported by the implementation of peer review in team teaching. It also aims at exploring the challenges in applying team teaching. This study applied qualitative research design with the interview as the data collection method and four English teachers as the participants of the research. The result showed that there are three aspects of TPD which occur. The first one is an attitude which becomes better in terms of improved awareness of the teachers. The other element is self-esteem where it is also improved due to the feedback given after the peer review. While the third is patience. As suggested in the feedbacks, teachers require to be more patients in dealing with misbehaving students. As for the challenges, it can be concluded that they come from two different sources. The first one is from the individual teacher where they think that some of the suggestions cannot be done or too hard to do. The second one is, Since TPD requires funding, the institution should also provide necessary and sufficient funding to support the TPD. This can be done by setting up the policy dealing with the sustainable TPD which, in turn, will give more benefits to the institution.

Balancing the public interest and self-interest: The face of peer review in Australia

The implementation of peer review by Australia’s two largest accountancy professional bodies during the 1990s provides a case study in which the interaction of the public interest and self-interest is examined. It is argued that on occasions where individual self-interest of members conflicts with self-interest of the collective, the public interest motivates a way forward.

Impact of Peer Review on Use of Hypofractionated Regimens for Early-Stage Breast Cancer for Patients at a Tertiary Care Academic Medical Center and Its Community-Based Affiliates.

Data have demonstrated that hypofractionated radiation therapy (HFRT) and conventionally fractionated radiation therapy regimens are equivalent with respect to outcomes. Efforts to increase HFRT use have had mixed success. We implemented a prospective peer review chart rounds integrating all practice sites and reviewed the use of HFRT in an attempt to identify potential predictors of use. Patients treated with whole-breast radiation therapy within our cancer care network from January 2016 to June 2017 were evaluated. Radiation courses with a dose per fraction of greater than 2 Gy were considered HFRT, whereas those with a dose per fraction of less than or equal to 2 Gy were considered as conventionally fractionated radiation therapy. Patient, provider, and tumor characteristics were categorized by use of HFRT and compared between groups using a χ2 test or two-tailed t test. A total of 349 consecutive patients were identified. All 120 patients treated at the main academic site received HFRT. There was significant variation in use of HFRT among community-based providers (28% to 100%; P < .001). There was increased use of HFRT after implementation of institution-wide prospective peer review (66% v 81% before and after implementation, respectively; P = .001). Age, tumor grade, chemotherapy receipt, surgeon type (academic v community), and treatment after implementation of peer review all correlated with HFRT use. On multivariable analysis, treatment after implementation of peer review ( P < .001) remained a significant predictor of HFRT use, as did age ( P = .005), tumor grade ( P = .013), and surgeon type ( P < .001). Significant variation persists in the use of HFRT among providers. Increased awareness and oversight through prospective peer review may be useful in improving compliance to HFRT. Expanding these efforts to include education of referring surgeons may be helpful.

Group consensus peer review in radiation oncology: commitment to quality

BackgroundPeer review, especially prospective peer review, has been supported by professional organizations as an important element in optimal Radiation Oncology practice based on its demonstration of efficacy at detecting and preventing errors prior to patient treatment. Implementation of peer review is not without barriers, but solutions do exist to mitigate or eliminate some of those barriers.MethodsPeer review practice at our institution involves three key elements: new patient conference, treatment planning conference, and chart rounds. The treatment planning conference is an adaptation of the group consensus peer review model from radiology which utilizes a group of peers reviewing each treatment plan prior to implementation. The peer group in radiation oncology includes Radiation Oncologists, Physician Residents, Medical Physicists, Dosimetrists, and Therapists. Thus, technical and clinical aspects of each plan are evaluated simultaneously.ResultsThough peer review is held in high regard in Radiation Oncology, many barriers commonly exist preventing optimal implementation such as time intensiveness, repetition, and distraction from clinic time with patients. Through the use of automated review tools and commitment by individuals and administration in regards to staffing, scheduling, and responsibilities, these barriers have been mitigated to implement this Group Consensus Peer Review model into a Radiation Oncology Clinic.ConclusionA Group Consensus Peer Review model has been implemented with strategies to address common barriers to effective and efficient peer review.

The Impact of a State Medicaid Peer-Review Authorization Program on Pediatric Use of Antipsychotic Medications.

This cross-sectional study assessed the impact of a peer-review program on the prevalence of pediatric antipsychotic use among Medicaid-insured youths in a Mid-Atlantic state. Medicaid claims (2010-2014) were assessed among continuously enrolled youths in the 12 months before and after implementation of peer review. The study identified children ages zero to four preimplementation (N=118,815) and postimplementation (N=121,431), ages five to nine preimplementation (N=98,681) and postimplementation (N=107,872), and ages 10 to 17 preimplementation (N=154,696) and postimplementation (N=161,370). (Age ranges are inclusive of the final number). In each age group, multivariable logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations assessed the change in annual prevalence of antipsychotic use pre- to postimplementation. Use of other leading psychotropic classes and antipsychotic prescribing by medical specialty were also examined. The annual pre- to postimplementation prevalence of antipsychotic use decreased significantly, from .07% to .03% (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=.41) among children ages zero to four, from 1.57% to .86% (AOR=.54) among those ages five to nine, and from 3.28% to 2.40% (AOR=.72) among those ages 10 to 17. With the exception of alpha-agonist use, which increased postimplementation (AOR=1.30) among those ages zero to four, no clinically significant pre-post change was noted in other leading psychotropic classes among children ages zero to four and 10 to 17. By contrast, postimplementation use of other psychotropic medications decreased among those ages five to nine (AOR=.73). A state Medicaid peer-review program resulted in decreased antipsychotic use across all age groups, particularly among children younger than ten. No notable substitution of other psychotropic classes for antipsychotics was observed.

Driving quality improvements of radiation treatment services through a centralized performance management approach.

188 Background: Radiation treatment services are delivered in 16 facilities spread across the province of Ontario, centralized through Cancer Care Ontario’s oversight of quality of care, equipment, hospital funding, clinical and technical guidelines. Methods: In order to ensure high quality care, Cancer Care Ontario employs a systematic approach performance management, whereby facilities are held accountable to achieving provincial quality targets. For radiation treatment, the quality improvement priorities that have leveraged this approach over the last 10 years have included: reduction of wait times to consultation; reduction of wait times to start of treatment; adoption of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) where appropriate; and implementation of peer review for treatment plans. In each case, key performance indicators were developed for use in provincial scorecards designed to focus the attention of local clinical and administrative leadership. Regular performance discussions with senior leaders took place throughout implementation, and targeted intervention occurred with facilities that were lagging behind their peers. Results: See table. Conclusions: The ability to centrally monitor the implementation of quality improvement initiatives across a large jurisdiction, and to hold the leadership of each facility accountable to provincial targets through regular feedback and escalation, has been a key component of highly successful change management initiatives in radiation treatment in Ontario. [Table: see text]

Review of the clinical benefits and implementation of peer review of treatment plans in undergraduate medical dosimetry and radiation therapy training

AbstractPurposePeer review of treatment plans has been used to improve planning consistency, decrease the need for replanning and improve quality of care through the safe delivery of high-quality radiotherapy plans. This narrative review summarises the clinical benefits and addresses the implementation of peer review of treatment plans in undergraduate medical dosimetry and radiation therapy training.DiscussionThere are encouraging results of peer review for advanced treatment planning techniques such as Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy techniques in clinical practice. Peer review can be used as a tool to improve students’ knowledge of organ-at-risk contouring, treatment plan critique and quality assurance. These desirable treatment planning skills can be easily transferred to clinical settings. Moreover, there are several potential pedagogical benefits such as improvement in student engagement, better communication skills and provision of synchronous and asynchronous feedback that can positively impact student success and future employment. However, there are several challenges in facilitating its implementation in university settings.ConclusionEmbedding skills in peer review of treatment plans at undergraduate teaching level can be a powerful tool to impart clinical treatment planning knowledge. This narrative review provides a basis on which to develop an exploratory study of structured peer review activities in a training environment.

Implementation of Peer Review into a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Program and its Effect on Professionalism

To examine the effects of implementing a peer review evaluation system on residents' attitudes and perceptions of professionalism, a core competency of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), in a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) program. Four classes of residents were divided prospectively into a control and an intervention group. All residents were asked to complete a survey regarding their attitudes and perceptions on both peer review and professionalism. Only 2 of these classes participated in a newly adopted peer review evaluation system, after which time all participants were again asked to fill out the surveys. Residents were from a PM&R residency program at an urban tertiary care medical center. All residents who completed the entire survey preintervention and postintervention were included. The intervention was the introduction of peer review into residents' evaluation assessments. All residents filled out a survey with questions relating to peer review and professionalism before and after this intervention. Outcomes include understanding how residents perceive various attributes of professionalism, peer review, and the interconnection of the 2. Data analysis using SPSS was performed using survey scores for 46 residents preintroduction and postintroduction of a peer review evaluation system. Analysis revealed that residents who participated in the peer review process were more likely to agree that certain aspects of daily patient care, behaviors, and concepts were components of professionalism. However, they continued to believe that residents are ultimately not responsible for their colleagues' professionalism and that peer review might be harmful to a residency program. This study introduces an interesting dichotomy. Peer review clearly influences resident outlook on professionalism and yet there is a high suspicion regarding its implementation. If appropriately implemented, peer review may be a potent method of enhancing the education of this ACGME requirement.

Scholarly information architecture, 1989 - 2015

If we were to start from scratch today to design a quality-controlled archive and distribution system for scientific and technical information, it could take a very different form from what has evolved in the past decade from pre-existing print infrastructure. Ultimately, we might expect some form of global knowledge network for research communications. Over the next decade, there are many technical and non-technical issues to address along the way, everything from identifying optimal formats and protocols for rendering, indexing, linking, querying, accessing, mining, and transmitting the information, to identifying sociological, legal, financial, and political obstacles to realization of ideal systems. What near-term advances can we expect in automated classification systems, authoring tools, and next-generation document formats to facilitate efficient data mining and long-term archival stability? How will the information be authenticated and quality controlled? What differences should be expected in the realization of these systems for different scientific research fields? Can recent technological advances provide not only more efficient means of accessing and navigating the information, but also more cost-effective means of authentication and quality control? Relevant experiences from open electronic distribution of research materials in physics and related disciplines during the past decade are used to illuminate these questions, and some of their implications for proposals to improve the implementation of peer review are then discussed.

Audit: a project on peer review in general practice.

A project of group-based peer review by general practitioners is described. Attention is given to the motivation of general practitioners to participate in audits, to the threat posed by peer review and to the use of criteria. The recruitment and motivation were successful. A total of 253 general practitioners took part, divided into 23 groups. This represented approximately 30% of all general practitioners in the area and 72% of all general practitioners specifically approached by us. The threat posed by audit disappears rapidly for most physicians once they have started auditing. The use of predefined criteria developed by 'experts', representing an optimal way of work for the general practitioner, appeared to be quite feasible in this project. From the results several conclusions are drawn as regards the planning and implementation of peer review under general practitioners.

Implementation of peer review within a baccalaureate nursing program.

Implementation of peer review within a baccalaureate nursing program.

Child Psychiatry Perspectives: Problems in Implementation of Peer Review in Child Psychiatry

This paper describes the efforts of a committee of child psychiatrists to evaluate the problems and complexities of meeting PSRO requirements. A retrospective review of charts was done, using PSRO model criteria sets on children and adolescents on inpatient units at five hospitals. Problems were noted in the use of diagnoses, the care given, and the length of stay. Many charts would not have passed the initial nonphysician screening and would have required a physician review. It is anticipated that once PSRO criteria are introduced, a concurrent review might be less difficult. The results of this review suggest that to meet PSRO criteria, costs would have to go up.