Publication In Peer-reviewed Journals Research Articles

Improving the diagnostic accuracy of referrals for papilloedema (DIPP) study: protocol for a mixed-methods study

IntroductionPapilloedema can be the first sign of life-threatening disease, for example, brain tumours. Due to the potential seriousness of this clinical sign, the detection of papilloedema would normally prompt urgent...

Research involvement among undergraduate medical students in Bangladesh: a multicenter cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe involvement of undergraduate medical students in research is pivotal for the advancement of evidence-based clinical practice. This study aimed to assess the extent of research involvement and the factors influencing it among undergraduate medical students in Bangladesh.MethodsA multi-center cross-sectional study involving 2864 medical students from both public and private medical colleges was conducted between June and December 2023. Data on demographics, research involvement, participation in research training, future career aspirations in research, and obstacles encountered by students were collected. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.ResultsThe mean age of the students was 21.8 ± 1.8 (SD) years, with the majority being female (61.8%). Overall, 21.5% (n = 617) were actively participating in research beyond academic activities. Approximately 7% (n = 205) had undergone formal research training, and 6.5% (n = 187) had experience in publications in peer-reviewed journals as first authors or coauthors. A total of 45.5% of the students faced multiple challenges during participating in research, with the two most difficult tasks being designing a study (26.7%) and data collection and recruitment of study participants (19.6%). Almost half of the students (47.2%, n = 1352) showed an interest in pursuing a research career in the near future. The primary barriers preventing students from choosing a future research career were insufficient mentorship (16.3%), the perception of a lengthy career path (17.2%), and limited funding opportunities (15.9%). Factors that significantly encouraged research involvement included being male (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2–1.8), studying in the senior academic phase (aOR 3.9, 95% CI: 2.7–5.6), previous education from an English-medium educational institute (aOR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2–2.2), and encouragement from faculty (aOR 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1–1.7).ConclusionThe proportion of research participation among the students was relatively low. To promote research engagement among undergraduate medical students in Bangladesh, comprehensive policy formulation and strong commitment at the highest levels are essential. Integrating national research policy into the curriculum could serve as a strategic measure for achieving this objective.

Effect of propofol and ciprofol in patients undergoing bronchoscopy: protocol for a double-blind, randomised controlled trial

IntroductionPropofol is a fast-acting intravenous anaesthetic widely used for sedation and anaesthesia in gastrointestinal endoscopy, bronchoscopy, and the induction/maintenance of general anaesthesia in outpatients and inpatients; however, propofol has several...

IoC2 monitoring versus standard practice in reducing opioid consumption in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionNociception monitoring has recently gained recognition as a valuable tool for guiding intraoperative opioid administration. Several nociception monitors, including the Surgical Pleth Index, the Index of Consciousness (IoC) and the...

Leveraging an open access platform to provide organizational value in clinical environments

The Ascension Nurse Author Index is an example of how resource-limited clinical libraries can provide value to their organization by creating a database of peer-reviewed journal article publications authored by their nursing associates. In 2024, Ascension launched a database index to highlight its nurse authors, bring attention to subject matter expertise, foster collaboration among authors, and recognize impact within the profession. The index uses an open access platform, software intended for reference management with a public-facing cloud option, to minimize expenses. This unconventional use of the platform allowed us to capitalize on the software's bibliographic database management capabilities while allowing us to input institutional-specific metadata. By creative use of the open-access platform, librarians can successfully partner to create value for their organization by highlighting the work of its nurses.

Effects of interventions aimed at improving nurses’ work engagement in the workplace: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

IntroductionWork engagement enhances nurses’ physical and mental health, well-being, job performance and satisfaction. This reduces turnover rates and improves patient care quality, making work engagement a crucial factor in the...

Rationale and design for the thoracic Paravertebral Adjunctive Dexamethasone Palmitate Reducing chronic pain After cardiac surgery (PANDORA) trial: a parallel-group, double-blinded, randomised controlled, single-centre study

IntroductionMinimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) is important for enhanced recovery in cardiac surgery. However, the incidence of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is high and is associated with worsened quality of...

Protocol for a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis for risk factors for lung cancer in individuals with lung nodules identified by low-dose CT screening

BackgroundWorldwide, lung cancer (LC) is the second most frequent cancer and the leading cause of cancer related mortality. Low-dose CT (LDCT) screening reduced LC mortality by 20–24% in randomised trials...

Adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment in high compared to low TB burden countries: study protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis with a qualitative meta-synthesis of themes

IntroductionNon-adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment poses a significant challenge to effective TB management globally and is a major contributor to the emergence of multidrug-resistant TB. Although adherence to TB treatment...

The mediating role of physical activity and quality of life in the association between knee osteoarthritis-related symptoms and physical function of post-COVID patients in Metro Manila: a study protocol

IntroductionKnee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition affecting joint function. Regular physical activity can enhance functional capacity and reduce pain. However, there is a scarcity of studies relating to knee...

Effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese therapies intreating patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a chronic, progressive disease that affects both upper and lower motor neurons. Some physicians have used traditional Chinese therapies (TCT) to treat ALS. However, there has been no systematic review or meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TCT interventions. This review aims to analyze the effects of TCT interventions for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This study will include randomized, non-randomized, and quasi-experimental clinical trials, with participants being any age Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients who have undergone TCT treatment. Two researchers will independently search databases including CENTRAL, PubMed, PEDro, EMBASE, CNKI, CBM, and SPORTDiscus, without restrictions on language or publication date. These researchers will independently screen titles and abstracts and extract data from the included studies. If deemed suitable for meta-analysis, data synthesis will be conducted using Review Manager V.5.3 software; any discrepancies will be resolved by a third researcher. The meta-analysis will compare the effects of TCT with placebo or other interventions. The main endpoint evaluated was the decrease in the overall score of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R; scoring from 0 to 48, where higher scores denote greater functionality) over a period of 24 weeks. Additional endpoints included the reduction rates in isometric muscle power, levels of phosphorylated axonal neurofilament H subunits in plasma, and slow vital capacity measurements. Furthermore, the study monitored the duration until occurrence of death, tracheostomy, or the need for long-term ventilation, as well as the time until death, tracheostomy, long-term ventilation, or hospital admission. Throughout the entire process of this systematic review, no personal information was used, hence ethical review is not required. The results of this meta-analysis will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and/or conference presentations.

Resuscitation in Paediatric Septic Shock Using Vitamin C and Hydrocortisone (RESPOND): The RESPOND Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol.

Pediatric sepsis results in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is an urgent need to investigate adjunctive therapies that can be administered early. We hypothesize that using vitamin C combined with hydrocortisone increases survival free of inotropes/vasopressors support until day 7 compared with standard care. Here we describe the Resuscitation in Paediatric Septic Shock using Vitamin C and Hydrocortisone (RESPOND) trial protocol, which aims to address this hypothesis. Randomized, open label, controlled, parallel-group, three-arm trial with integrated economic evaluation. Nine Australia and New Zealand PICUs, with interest from additional international sites. Children between 7 days and younger than 18 years old who are treated for suspected or confirmed sepsis and receiving inotropes/vasopressors for greater than 1 hour. IV vitamin C (100 mg/kg [maximum 5 g] every 6 hr) and hydrocortisone (1 mg/kg [maximum 50 mg] every 6 hr), or IV hydrocortisone alone (1 mg/kg [maximum 50 mg] every 6 hr) or standard care. Three hundred eighty-four children will be randomly assigned to receive the interventions, or standard care in a 1:1:1 ratio with stratification by steroid administration pre-randomization and hospital site. The primary outcome is time alive and free of inotropes/vasopressors, censored at 7 days. Secondary outcomes include 28-day mortality, survival free of organ support, PICU length of stay, quality of life, functional status and neurodevelopmental vulnerability at 6 months post-enrollment, and hospitalization-related costs. Statistical analysis will be based on an intention-to-treat principle. The study has ethical approval (HREC/20/QCHQ/69922, dated December 21, 2020), is registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12621000247875), commenced recruitment on December 8, 2021, and is expected to finish recruitment by mid-2026. Dissemination of the results will occur through publication in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at international conferences, and additional consumer-informed pathways.

Paediatric Personalized Research Network Switzerland (SwissPedHealth): a joint paediatric national data stream

IntroductionChildren represent a large and vulnerable patient group. However, the evidence base for most paediatric diagnostic and therapeutic procedures remains limited or is often inferred from adults. There is an...

Interventions for reducing sedentary behaviour in patients with coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

IntroductionSedentary behaviour is associated with numerous adverse health outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease, independent of physical activity. Related interventions have improved sedentary behaviour in patients with coronary heart disease...

Financial burden of complications following lung resection: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionGlobal healthcare expenditures are rising, driven largely by increased spending in both high- and low-income countries with hospitalisation as a primary contributor. Respiratory diseases, particularly lung cancer, pose significant public...

Mapping an evidence-based end-of-life care framework for older adults in Chinese nursing homes: protocol for a scoping review

IntroductionEnd-of-life care is essential for older adults aged ≥60, particularly those residing in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, which are known for their home-like environments compared with hospitals....

Protocol for conducting a scoping review on the influence of low-stakes assessment on student learning in medical education

Rationale and Background Low-stakes assessments enhance student learning outcomes by providing a comprehensive view of performance and promoting competency-based education. Multiple low-stakes assessments encourage continuous learning and incorporate formative feedback for a realistic and long-term environment. Diverse assessment methods ensure psychometric rigor, utility and a programmatic assessment approach with multiple data points affording high-stakes decisions on progression. Objective This scoping review aims to systematically identify and map existing literature on the use of low-stakes assessments in medical education and determine their impact on student learning outcomes in terms of, motivation and engagement achievements/competencies. Methods and Analysis The review will use the Joanna Briggs Institute’s framework for scoping review studies, searching eight databases and grey literature. A presearch will be done in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using terms related to low-stakes assessment, formative assessment, continuous assessment, and programmatic assessment within the context of medical education. The Covidence Systematic Review tool will aid in screening and conflict resolution. The reference lists of included studies will be checked manually for other relevant literature. Two research team members will independently screen and extract data, resolving discrepancies with a third team member. Inclusion and exclusion criteria will be refined iteratively based on key research themes. The review will follow PRISMA-P guidelines, focusing on the impact of low-stakes assessment on student learning in medical education. Ethics and dissemination No ethical approval is required as all data will be collected from published and grey literature. Findings will be disseminated at relevant conferences and submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Alienation and/or anomie in pharmacists: a protocol for a narrative systematic review

IntroductionEpisodes of alienation and/or anomie in pharmacists have been reported in historical accounts since the 19th century. Alienation and anomie are distinct types of psychological or social ills where people...

Gender differences in antibiotic use behaviour and access to antibiotics in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionIn low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the persistent lack of access and high inappropriate use of antibiotics, which are fuelled by gender-related factors, continue to facilitate antimicrobial resistance. This in...

Paragraphing Strategies in Academic Writing: A Systematic Review of Structured Approaches

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application and effectiveness of five structured paragraphing models in various academic contexts: SOFT (Statement, Opinion, Fact, Tie), CARS (Claim, Argument, Reasoning, Summary), TEEL (Main Topic, Explanation, Evidence, Link), PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link), and PIE (Point, Illustration, Explanation). Through the analysis of 35 peer-reviewed journal publications published between 2000 and 2023, chosen based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, the study explores the applications of these models across a range of topic areas. A comprehensive literature review was the research approach, and both qualitative and quantitative techniques were used to assess the models' applicability, prevalence, and efficacy. Data about each model's use in various academic fields was extracted, with an emphasis on how it affects writing argumentation, coherence, and clarity. To evaluate the models' performance on academic writing assignments, the study used content analysis as a methodology. The findings showed notable variations in how these models were used across fields and academic levels. While more complicated models like PEEL and CARS were more frequently used in disciplines like political science, law, and the humanities where well-structured argumentation is essential, basic models like PIE were mostly utilised in high school and first-year university courses. The study also found that TEEL was preferred in undergraduate and graduate expository and analytical writing, whereas the SOFT model was more common in technical, business, and economics topics since it placed a strong focus on presenting factual facts. The study found that every model had unique benefits and drawbacks. The PIE model is praised for its simplicity, yet it is shallow for complex reasoning. Even while PEEL's formulaic format has drawn criticism, its explicit link between argument and evidence has earned it respect. CARS is a good way to create research space. The study suggests that teachers use structured paragraphing in a methodical manner, beginning with straightforward models such as PIE and working their way up to more intricate models like PEEL and CARS.