Retrospective Content Analysis Research Articles

Utilization of Occupational Therapy by Older Healthy Adults at Risk for Falls Is Low

Abstract Date Presented 3/31/2017 A retrospective content analysis on physicians’ dictations for 50 healthy older adults visiting an ambulatory orthopedic spine clinic revealed that physicians may not be screening for executive functioning impairment or referring to occupational therapy for fall prevention. Primary Author and Speaker: Stephanie Foo Additional Authors and Speakers: M. J. Mulcahey, Catherine Piersol

Decades of public-private partnership in solid waste management

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine empirical studies on public-private partnerships (PPPs) and solid waste management (SWM) in Ghana and India to synthesize the “crucial lessons” for urban managers and policy makers in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachA systematic review of empirical studies was carried out, the search process comprised four categories of keywords combined differently across three main search engines in order to obtain a pool of more relevant literature on the study. Sorting for relevance was done at various levels; retrospective content analysis of relevant empirical studies on PPP and SWM in Ghana and India was subsequently carried out to draw lessons and policy suggestions.FindingsPPPs have mainly been impressive in coverage of waste collection in the Ghanaian context, whilst in India, emphasis has been on injection of technology and effectiveness into SWM. It is also observed that in both cases the PPP processes have lacked adequate openness, transparency and sufficient stakeholder engagement. In the Ghana cases, mostly, urban authorities hardly pay attention to details in the partnership deed and also ignore monitoring of private partners. Poorly performed PPPs do occur when one of the partners relent on his role which could have a cascading effect on other actors.Practical implicationsWhilst PPP is a strong candidate to address the SWM challenges of urban centers in developing countries, this does not necessarily come about by joining the bandwagon. Merely entering into a partnership deed with private waste management companies without paying due attention to details of the contract will usher urban managers into a state of schizophrenia. The paper presents five key lessons to inform policy and practice.Originality/valueThe paper draws lessons from multiple cases of PPPs in Ghana and India by synchronizing lessons adaptable to city authorities and policy makers in developing countries.

The relationship of forensic odontology with various dental specialties in the articles published in a National and an International Forensic Odontology Journal: A 5-year content analysis.

Aims:The aim of this study is to assess the quantum of articles published by various dental specialties in a National and an International Forensic Odontology Journal from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2014.Settings and Design:The present study is a 5-year retrospective content analysis study.Subjects and Methods:Data were collected from two forensic odontology journals (Journal of Forensic Odonto Stomatology [JOFS] and Journal of Forensic Dental Sciences [JFDS]) which are subscribed by institutional library. The article contents were scrutinized by one investigator and categorized into nine individual dental specialties based on the new working classification proposed for forensic odontology.Statistical Analysis Used:The quantum of articles published by various dental specialties and the various focus areas in each specialty were assessed using Chi-square test.Results:Among all the published articles, a maximum number of articles were related to the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology (32.6%) in JFDS with Cheiloscopy (46.7%) being more focused area and to the Department of Prosthodontics (25.7%) in JFOS with Bite mark analysis (66.7%) being more focused area.Conclusions:There was a scarcity of information about the relationship of forensic odontology with various dental specialties in the articles published in JFDS and JFOS. The editorial board of journals should expand and elaborate their scope of journals to various focus areas of forensic odontology. This will encourage the researchers to explore in the different focus areas which are most neglected as of now.

Statistical discrimination of global post-seismic ionosphere effects under geomagnetic quiet and storm conditions

ABSTRACTThe retrospective statistical analysis of total electron content (TEC) is carried out using global ionospheric maps (GIM) for 1999–2015. TEC anomalies are analysed for 2670 earthquakes (EQ) from M6.0 to M10.0 classified into 2205 ‘non-storm’ EQs and 465 ‘storm’ EQs during geomagnetic storms. The geomagnetic storms are specified by relevant thresholds of geomagnetic indices AE, aa, ap, ap(τ) and Dst. Using sliding-window statistical analysis, moving daily–hourly TEC median μ for 15 preceding days with estimated variance bounds is obtained for each grid pixel of GIM-TEC maps. The derived ionosphere variability index, Vσ, is expressed in terms of ΔTEC deviation from the median normalized by the standard deviation σ. Vσ index segmentation is introduced specifying TEC anomaly if an instant TEC is outside the bound of μ ± 1σ. Efficiency of EQ impact on the ionosphere (Eσ) is growing with EQ magnitude and depth representing relative density of TEC anomalies within area of 1000 km radius around EQ hypocentre. Positive TEC ‘storm’ anomalies are twice as much as those of non-storm values. This observation supports dominant post-EQ TEC enhancement with Eσ peak decreasing during 12 h for daytime but growing by nighttime during 6 h after EQ followed by gradual recovery afterwards.

Correction factor reveals uniform levels of mitochondrial DNA in human blastocysts irrespective of ploidy, age, or implantation potential

To develop a mathematical formula resulting in an accurate determination of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels in human blastocysts substratified by ploidy, age, and implantation potential. Retrospective analysis of mtDNA content in human blastocysts used in preimplantation genetic diagnosis for IVF selection. 833 embryos derived from 181 patients were tested for mtDNA content by next generation sequencing (NGS), and 150 embryos derived from 96 patients were tested by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). For each embryo, the level of mtDNA was determined from a trophectoderm biopsy by whole genome amplification followed by NGS and/or qPCR. The value was subjected to mathematical analysis tailored to the genomic DNA composition of said embryo. Grouped values were compared by Welch’s two-tailed upaired t-test. On average our quantitation method changed the conventionally determined mtDNA level of a given embryo via NGS by 1.35% +/-1.58%, with changes ranging up to 17.42%, and via qPCR by 1.33% +/-8.08%, with changes ranging up to 50.00%. Levels of mtDNA in euploid and aneuploid embryos showed a statistically insignificant difference of P=0.102 by NGS (euploid N=494, aneuploid N=339) and P=0.642 by qPCR (euploid N=100, aneuploid N=50). Blastocysts derived from younger or older patients had comparable mtDNA values, with P=0.293 by NGS (20-37 age group N=559, 38-46 age group N=274) and P=0.101 by qPCR (20-37 age group N=92, 38-46 age group N=58). Blastocysts that upon transfer resulted in implantation did not contain significantly different mtDNA levels compared to blastocysts that failed to implant, with P=0.813 by NGS (implanted N=51, non-implanted N=69) and P=0.103 by qPCR (implanted N=49, non-implanted N=51). We recommend the implementation of our correction factor to all laboratories evaluating mtDNA levels in their embryos by NGS or qPCR. Applied to our in-house data, our quantitation method reveals that overall levels of mtDNA are largely equal between human blastocysts regardless of embryo ploidy, age, or implantation potential.

To submit or not submit: The burden of evaluation on postgraduate medical trainees

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. PurposeAcademic centers utilize web-based surveillance systems to administer their evaluations, but little is known about their impact on the evaluation responsibilities delegated to medical residents.MethodUsing a mixed-methods approach, a retrospective content analysis was conducted of the evaluation activities experienced by a cohort of 29 residents as they completed their training in general internal medicine from 2009-2012. These data were triangulated with group interviews conducted with current internal medicine residents in 2012-2013.ResultsThe internal medicine program electronically requested that its residents complete 8,614 evaluation reports on clinical faculty, curriculum, and junior trainees (345 requests annually per resident). Residents reported feeling overwhelmed by their ongoing evaluation workload, and admitted that their motivation to submit high-quality appraisals was dissipating. Residents perceived that their program valued certain evaluations more than others, and this was a major factor in their decision regarding whether or not they would eventually submit an appraisal. Feedback submitted on program evaluation-related appraisals were viewed as having the least value, and residents were significantly less likely to submit these evaluations. ConclusionsAlthough web-based surveillance systems are efficient in distributing thousands of evaluations, residency programs to engage in ongoing vigilance of the unintended consequences associated with their use.

Neutralisation and sexual abuse: a study of monks from one Benedictine Abbey

ABSTRACTAllegations of sexual abuse against minors by priests in Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the US are not new. Yet, it has only been within the past three years that dioceses (including Milwaukee, Chicago, Los Angeles, Joliet, and Winona) have unsealed files of priests accused of sexual abuse. Using available files from one Benedictine Abbey in Minnesota, we conducted a retrospective content analysis with a focus towards the way those within the diocese justified, neutralised, or shifted blame for these crimes. In addition to the presence of some of these themes, we also uncovered evidence of concealment by upper-level administrators. This manuscript offers a brief summation of the sexual abuse scandal within the Church, a case study of this abbey’s changing response to allegations over the past three decades, and a discussion of our findings, ideas for policy changes, and directions for future research.

Mental Disorders in Children and Parents in Family Law Proceedings: Cases on Child Protection Matters Versus Child Custody and Visitation Issues

Psychologists can contribute considerably to decision making in family law proceedings. The mental health of the parents and the children forms an important factor in psychological evaluation. It is the overall aim of this study to specifically examine the occurrence of mental disorders in evaluated family members in cases of termination of parental rights as opposed to cases of child custody and visitation rights. This data are based on 297 psychological evaluations completed between 2008 and 2012 at an evaluator association in Bremen, Germany. In this retrospective content analysis, evaluation reports were examined for indications of mental disorders in children, mothers and fathers. The data were assessed in bivariate analyses and logistic regression models. A total rate above 39 % indicates a comparatively high exposure to mental disorders of children and adolescents in this sample. A mental disorder of the mother and a mental disorder of the father occur significantly more often in cases of termination of parental rights than in cases of child custody/visitation rights. Children and adolescents who showed aggressive-dissocial behavior and aggressive-oppositional behavior were significantly more likely to be evaluated in legal issues of termination of parental rights as opposed to child custody/visitation rights. Restrictions in parental mental health and parenting capacity should be carefully weighed against restrictions in the mental health of the children and their developmental needs when conducting psychological evaluation.

System Analysis of Marketing Tools for Commercialization of Intellectual Property Items at a National Research University

Background/Objectives: The objective of the paper is to identify marketing tools that enhance the effectiveness of the commercialization processes, promote the formation of methodological approaches to the construction of the complex of marketing tools for commercialization of intellectual property items. Methods: The retrospective content analysis was selected as the main method of investigation for structuring categorical apparatus of the research, portfolio analysis was applied to identify and evaluate the structure of intellectual property items at the Ogarev Mordovia State University. Application of hierarchical decomposition allowed building a pyramid of the intellectual property commercialization objectives. Using a process approach helped to integrate the marketing tools in the process of intellectual property commercialization and form a complex of marketing support for this process based on the principles of integrity and systematicity. Findings: The study carried out a deep analysis of the theory and practice of intellectual property commercialization at the research universities, identified the main marketing tools that enhance the effectiveness of the commercialization process. This allowed forming methodical grounds of to ensure marketing support in the commercialization of intellectual property items. The structure of intellectual property was evaluated; marketing tools were classified and segmented as exemplified by the Ogarev Mordovia State University, with the aim of prioritizing the commercialization and singling out the possibilities to apply marketing tools. The authors' approach to the formation of a complex of marketing tools for commercialization at the research university has been proposed. Applications: Implementation a marketing complex will provide the market launch of intellectual property items sought after by the consumers, it will enhance the effectiveness of the university's research activities, will integrate the needs of industrial sector and the possibilities of the research sector of the economy, which will ensure the construction of an innovative economy.

Reference Services Review: content analysis, 2012-2014

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a retrospective analysis of content published in Reference Services Review between 2012 and 2014. Design/methodology/approach – This analysis utilizes the methods and format outlined by Katy Mahraj, author of Reference Services Review: content analysis, 2006-2011 (2012). The author manually reviewed the content of all journal issues from 2012 through 2014 using both print and online copies of the journal, accessed through the Emerald Group Publishing web site. Information reviewed included total number of articles per issue, author affiliations, article format and article content focus. The type, size and location of author institutions were confirmed using institutions’ official web sites as necessary. The results of this analysis are compared to Mahraj’s results to identify changing trends. Findings – Reference Services Review has published an average of 38 articles per year between 2012 and 2014. Articles have focused most commonly on information literacy and instruction and emerging technologies. Reference services, outreach and library management have also received regular coverage. All authors during this time period have been affiliated with academic institutions, primarily large academic institutions with 5,000 or more students. Originality value – This analysis continues the work of Katy Mahraj to consolidate data on the volume, focus and authorship of Reference Services Review. These data continue to provide an overview of trends in the field’s professional and scholarly literature, with implications for broader trends in academic librarianship.

Mitochondrial DNA content as a viability score in human euploid embryos: less is better

To investigate the clinical relevance of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content as a viability score in human euploid embryos. Retrospective analysis of mtDNA content of transferred euploid embryos. Reproductive genetics laboratory. Single-embryo transfer in 270 patients who underwent preimplantation genetic screening (205 day-3 blastomere biopsies, and 65 day-5 trophectoderm biopsies), and 10 patients with double-embryo transfer (male-female). None. Normalized mtDNA content versus nuclear DNA (nDNA) from transferred euploid embryos. A high mtDNA copy number in euploid embryos is indicative of lower embryo viability and implantation. Using the normalized mtDNA content, we created the mitochondrial score or Mitoscore (Ms). Day-3 embryos with <34 (MsA) had an implantation rate (IR) of 59% (n = 51); those with 34-52 (MsB) had an IR of 44% (n = 52); those with 52-97 (MsC) had an IR of 42% (n = 50); and those with >97 (MsD) had an IR of 25% (n = 52). Embryos with Ms >160 (n = 22) never implanted. Day-5 embryos with <18.19 (MsA) had an IR of 81%; those with 18.19-24.15 (MsB) had an IR of 50% (n = 16); those with 24.15-50.58 (MsC) had an IR of 62% (n = 16); and those with levels >50.58 (MsD) had an IR of 18% (n = 17). Embryos with levels >60 (n = 7) never implanted. An increased amount of mtDNA in euploid embryos is related to poor implantation potential and may be indicative of reduced metabolic fuel during oocyte maturation. We are implementing Ms in our preimplantation genetic screening platform to prospectively analyze its clinical relevance.

Mixed Methods Use in Project Management Research

Mixed methods research is increasingly being used in business and management disciplines, in spite of positivist traditions. The aim of the study is twofold: (1) to examine the types of mixed methods approaches being used, and (2) to determine the quality of the reporting of mixed methods studies published in the field of project management. A retrospective content analysis of articles from three ranked project management journals was undertaken for a sample period of 2004 to 2010. Our findings suggest the field of project management is in need of capacity building in relation to the good reporting of mixed methods studies.

Language does not come "in boxes": Assessing discrepancies between adverse drug reactions spontaneous reporting and MedDRA® codes in European Portuguese.

The description of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by health care professionals (HCPs) can be highly variable. This variation can affect the coding of a reaction with the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA(®)), the gold standard for pharmacovigilance database entries. Ultimately, the strength of a safety signal can be compromised. The objective of this study was to assess: 1) participation of different HCPs in ADR reporting, and 2) variation of language used by HCPs when describing ADRs, and to compare it with the corresponding MedDRA(®) codes. A retrospective content analysis was performed, using the database of spontaneous reports submitted by HCPs in the region of the Southern Pharmacovigilance Unit, Portugal. Data retrieved consisted of the idiomatic description of all ADRs occurring in 2004 (first year of the Unit activity, n=53) and in 2012 (n=350). The agreement between the language used by HCPs and the MedDRA(®) dictionary codes was quantitatively assessed. From a total of 403 spontaneous reports received in the two years, 896 words describing ADRs were collected. HCPs presented different levels of pharmacovigilance participation and ADR idiomatic descriptions, with pharmacists providing the greatest overall contribution. The agreement between the language used in spontaneous reports and the corresponding MedDRA(®) terms varied by HCP background, with nurses presenting the poorer results than medical doctors and pharmacists when considering the dictionary as the gold standard in ADRs' language. Lexical accuracy and semantic variations exist between different HCP groups. These differences may interfere with the strength of a generated safety signal. Clinical and MedDRA(®) terminology training should be targeted to increase not only the frequency, but also the quality of spontaneous reports, in accordance with HCPs' experience and background.

Towards comprehensive and transparent reporting: context-specific additions to the ICF taxonomy for medical evaluations of work capacity involving claimants with chronic widespread pain and low back pain.

BackgroundMedical evaluations of work capacity provide key information for decisions on a claimant’s eligibility for disability benefits. In recent years, the evaluations have been increasingly criticized for low transparency and poor standardization. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a comprehensive spectrum of categories for reporting functioning and its determinants in terms of impairments and contextual factors and could facilitate transparent and standardized documentation of medical evaluations of work capacity. However, the comprehensiveness of the ICF taxonomy in this particular context has not been empirically examined. In this study, we wanted to identify potential context-specific additions to the ICF for its application in medical evaluations of work capacity involving chronic widespread pain (CWP) and low back pain (LBP).MethodsA retrospective content analysis of Swiss medical reports was conducted by using the ICF for data coding. Concepts not appropriately classifiable with ICF categories were labeled as specification categories (i.e. context-specific additions) and were assigned to predefined specification areas (i.e. precision, coverage, personal factors, and broad concepts). Relevant specification categories for medical evaluations of work capacity involving CWP and LBP were determined by calculating their relative frequency across reports and setting a relevance threshold.ResultsForty-three specification categories for CWP and fifty-two for LBP reports passed the threshold. In both groups of reports, precision was the most frequent specification area, followed by personal factors.ConclusionsThe ICF taxonomy represents a universally applicable standard for reporting health and functioning information. However, when applying the ICF for comprehensive and transparent reporting in medical evaluations of work capacity involving CWP and LBP context-specific additions are needed. This is particularly true for the documentation of specific pain-related issues, work activities and personal factors. To ensure the practicability of the multidisciplinary evaluation process, the large number of ICF categories and context-specific additions necessary for comprehensive documentation could be specifically allocated to the disciplines in charge of their assessment.

QRS frequency characteristics help predict response to cardiac resynchronization in left bundle branch block less than 150 milliseconds.

Baseline QRS duration (QRSd) ≥150 ms is a recognized predictor of clinical improvement by cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), particularly for those with left bundle branch (LBBB). Patients with QRSd <150 ms are considered less likely to respond. The purpose of this study was to test our theory that left ventricular dyssynchrony, although usually associated with wider QRSd, also exhibits lower QRS frequency characteristics and that low-frequency content predicts CRT response in LBBB patients. We retrospectively examined the QRS frequency content of 170 heart failure patients with LBBB and QRSd ≥120 ms using Fourier transformation. Ninety-four responders to CRT (defined as reduction in left ventricular end-systolic volume by ≥15% from baseline) were compared to 76 nonresponders (<15% reduction). Analysis of 3 standard ECG leads (I, aVF, and V3) representing the 3 dimensions of depolarization was performed, and V3 provided the best predictive value. The QRSd of responders (160.3 ± 17.8 ms) and nonresponders (161.8 ± 21.1 ms, P = .604) were similar. We found that the percentage of total QRS frequency power below 10 Hz that exceeded 52% was most predictive of CRT response compared to other cutoff values. However, the percentage of patients with total QRS power >52% below 10 Hz was especially predictive of response in those with QRSd <150 ms. In these patients, this power threshold was highly predictive of CRT response (positive predictive value 85.7%, negative predictive value 71.4%). In this group of CRT recipients with LBBB, retrospective analysis of QRS frequency content below 10 Hz had greater predictive value for CRT response than baseline QRSd, particularly in those with QRSd <150 ms.

Academics and competing interests in H1N1 influenza media reporting

BackgroundConcerns have been raised over competing interests (CoI) among academics during the 2009 to 2010 A/H1N1 pandemic. Media reporting can influence public anxiety and demand for pharmaceutical products. We assessed...

Perceived Professional Gains of Master's Level Students Following a Person‐of‐the‐Therapist Training Program: A Retrospective Content Analysis

The Person-of-the-Therapist Training (POTT) is a program designed to facilitate clinicians' ability to consciously and purposefully use themselves at the moment of contact with their clients in order to connect, assess, and intervene effectively. This qualitative study explored the experiences of 54 master's-level students who were enrolled in an accredited marriage and family therapy program in the United States and examined their perceived professional gains following a 9-month POTT course. Content analysis of trainees' reflections which they wrote at the end of the training revealed 6 primary themes: (a) increased awareness, (b) emotions, (c) improved clinical work, (d) humanity and woundedness, (e) meta-awareness, and (f) factors that contributed to the learning process. Findings suggest that key outcomes of this training curriculum are congruent with its stated goals. Clinical and training recommendations are additionally provided. Video Abstract.

The School Situation for Students with a High Level of Absenteeism in Compulsory School: Is There a Pattern in Documented Support?

This paper is a retrospective descriptive content analysis of all identified school documents for 90 ninth-grade students with a history of truancy, collected from two Swedish compulsory schools. The study investigates individual, school, and psychosocial factors in the documents and three analyses are presented: (1) a general analysis of the documents, (2) a comparison of truant students with and without learning difficulties (LD), and (3) a comparison between students with LD who received no special educational support and those who did receive support. Predictors for truancy were credits in the fall of the eighth grade, difficulties in mathematics, and relationship problems. For 50% of the students, frequent truancy first became evident after the seventh grade. No connections were found between documented educational and social support, learning difficulties, and level of truancy.

OP78 Scientists, Competing Interests, and the Media: A Content Analysis of UK Newspaper Reporting in H1N1 Influenza

BackgroundConcerns were raised about the competing interests amongst scientists on advisory committees during the 2009/10 H1N1 influenza pandemic, particularly given the substantial public expenditure on antiviral drugs and vaccines. The...

Patient safety in midwifery-led care in the Netherlands

Objectiveto describe the incidence and characteristics of patient safety incidents in midwifery-led care for low-risk pregnant women. Designmulti-method study. Setting20 midwifery practices in the Netherlands; 1,000 patient records. Populationlow-risk pregnant women. Methodsprospective incident reporting by midwives during 2 weeks; questionnaire on safety culture and retrospective content analysis of 1,000 patient records in 2009. Main outcome measuresincidence, type, impact and causes of safety incidents. Resultsin the 1,000 patient records involving 14,888 contacts, 86 safety incidents were found with 25 of these having a noticeable effect on the patient. Low-risk pregnant women in midwifery care had a probability of 8.6% for a safety incident (95% CI 4.8–14.4). In 9 safety incidents, temporary monitoring of the mother and/or child was necessary. In another 6 safety incidents, reviewers reported psychological distress for the patient. Hospital admission followed from 1 incident. No safety incidents were associated with mortality or permanent harm. The majority of incidents found in the patient records concerned treatment and organisational factors. Conclusionsa low prevalence of patient safety incidents was found in midwifery care for low-risk pregnant women. This first systematic study of patient safety in midwifery adds to the base of evidence regarding the safety of midwifery-led care for low-risk women. Nevertheless, some areas for improvement were found. Improvement of patient safety should address the better adherence to practice guidelines for patient risk assessment, better implementation of interventions for known lifestyle risk factors and better availability of midwives during birthing care.