scholarly journals The Use of Statistics in Medical Research: A Comparison of Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift andWiener Medizinische Wochenschrift

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander M. Strasak ◽  
Qamruz Zaman ◽  
Gerhard Marinell ◽  
Karl P. Pfeiffer ◽  
Hanno Ulmer
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Methods ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Inferential Statistics ◽  
Medical Journals ◽  
Statistical Quality ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Item Checklist ◽  
Published Research

To evaluate the quantity and quality of the use of statistics in Austrian medical journals, all “original research” papers in No. 116/1-12 of Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift (WKW) and 153/1-24, 154/1-24 of Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift(WMW) were screened for their statistical content. Types, frequencies and complexity of statistical methods applied weresystematically recorded. A 46-item checklist was used to evaluate statistical quality for a subgroup of papers. 74.3% of WKW papers contained inferential methods beyond descriptive statistics. Only 43.7% of WMW papers employed methods of inferential statistics. There was a statistical significant difference regarding the use of statistical methods between the two journals (p = 0:009). In addition, complexity and sophistication of statistical analysis was considerable higher for WKW papers (p = 0:02). Statistical errorsand deficiencies were identified in a large proportion of papers. Although inferential statistics were frequently identified in papers from WKW, only a minority of WMW research had analytical character. Types and frequencies of statistical errors identified, did not vary meaningful from findings of similar studies for a wide range of medical journals. There is reason to assume, that the journal impact-factor does not seem to be a powerful predictor for the statistical quality of published research.

scholarly journals Development and Evaluation of a Virtual Research Environment to Improve Quality of Care in Overcrowded Emergency Departments: Observational Study

10.2196/13993 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. e13993
Author(s):  
Charles-Henri Houze-Cerfon ◽  
Christine Vaissié ◽  
Laurent Gout ◽  
Bruno Bastiani ◽  
Sandrine Charpentier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medicine ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Emergency Physicians ◽  
Research Environment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ed Overcrowding ◽  
Virtual Research Environment

Background Despite a wide range of literature on emergency department (ED) overcrowding, scientific knowledge on emergency physicians’ cognitive processes coping with overcrowding is limited. Objective This study aimed to develop and evaluate a virtual research environment that will allow us to study the effect of physicians’ strategies and behaviors on quality of care in the context of ED overcrowding. Methods A simulation-based observational study was conducted over two stages: the development of a simulation model and its evaluation. A research environment in emergency medicine combining virtual reality and simulated patients was designed and developed. Afterwards, 12 emergency physicians took part in simulation scenarios and had to manage 13 patients during a 2-hour period. The study outcome was the authenticity of the environment through realism, consistency, and mastering. The realism was the resemblance perceived by the participants between virtual and real ED. The consistency of the scenario and the participants’ mastering of the environment was expected for 90% (12/13) of the participants. Results The virtual ED was considered realistic with no significant difference from the real world with respect to facilities and resources, except for the length of time of procedures that was perceived to be shorter. A total of 100% (13/13) of participants deemed that patient information, decision making, and managing patient flow were similar to real clinical practice. The virtual environment was well-mastered by all participants over the course of the scenarios. Conclusions The new simulation tool, Virtual Research Environment in Emergency Medicine, has been successfully designed and developed. It has been assessed as perfectly authentic by emergency physicians compared with real EDs and thus offers another way to study human factors, quality of care, and patient safety in the context of ED overcrowding.

scholarly journals Scientific quality of COVID-19 and SARS CoV-2 publications in the highest impact medical journals during the early phase of the pandemic: A case control study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0241826 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Zdravkovic ◽  
Joana Berger-Estilita ◽  
Bogdan Zdravkovic ◽  
David Berger
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Citation Rate ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Hierarchical Level ◽  
Scientific Quality ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Medical Journals ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Significant Difference

Background A debate about the scientific quality of COVID-19 themed research has emerged. We explored whether the quality of evidence of COVID-19 publications is lower when compared to nonCOVID-19 publications in the three highest ranked scientific medical journals. Methods We searched the PubMed Database from March 12 to April 12, 2020 and identified 559 publications in the New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of the American Medical Association, and The Lancet which were divided into COVID-19 (cases, n = 204) and nonCOVID-19 (controls, n = 355) associated content. After exclusion of secondary, unauthored, response letters and non-matching article types, 155 COVID-19 publications (including 13 original articles) and 130 nonCOVID-19 publications (including 52 original articles) were included in the comparative analysis. The hierarchical level of evidence was determined for each publication included and compared between cases and controls as the main outcome. A quantitative scoring of quality was carried out for the subgroup of original articles. The numbers of authors and citation rates were also compared between groups. Results The 130 nonCOVID-19 publications were associated with higher levels of evidence on the level of evidence pyramid, with a strong association measure (Cramer’s V: 0.452, P <0.001). The 155 COVID-19 publications were 186-fold more likely to be of lower evidence (95% confidence interval [CI] for odds ratio, 7.0–47; P <0.001). The quantitative quality score (maximum possible score, 28) was significantly different in favor of nonCOVID-19 (mean difference, 11.1; 95% CI, 8.5–13.7; P <0.001). There was a significant difference in the early citation rate of the original articles that favored the COVID-19 original articles (median [interquartile range], 45 [30–244] vs. 2 [1–4] citations; P <0.001). Conclusions We conclude that the quality of COVID-19 publications in the three highest ranked scientific medical journals is below the quality average of these journals. These findings need to be verified at a later stage of the pandemic.

A systematic review of the cost-effectiveness of interventions for supporting informal caregivers of people with dementia residing in the community

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carys Jones ◽  
Rhiannon Tudor Edwards ◽  
Barry Hounsome
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Economic Evaluations ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Item Checklist ◽  
The Cost

ABSTRACTBackground: Dementia places a huge demand on healthcare services; however, a large proportion of the cost is borne by informal caregivers. With the number of people affected by dementia set to increase in the future, there is a need for research to consider the effects of interventions on informal caregivers as well as on the individuals with dementia. This paper seeks to systematically review the existing evidence on the cost-effectiveness of interventions to support informal caregivers of people with dementia residing in the community.Methods: A range of electronic databases was searched. Studies were included if both costs and outcome measures for informal caregivers of people with dementia residing in the community were reported for an intervention. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions were included. Quality of study was assessed using the Drummond ten-item checklist for economic evaluations and results were presented through narrative synthesis.Results: Twelve studies were included in the review; of these only four reported a significant difference in the outcome measure for caregivers.Conclusions: At present few published studies report costs in enough detail to provide evidence of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions for supporting caregivers. Future trials need to collect caregiver data alongside patient data in order to increase the evidence base for intervention effectiveness. Further research is required to establish the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches.

scholarly journals Response of Zonal and Ivy Geraniums to Root Medium pH

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 766E-767
Author(s):  
Pauline H. Kaufmann* ◽  
P. Allen Hammer
Keyword(s):  
Dry Weight ◽  
Hydrated Lime ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Medium Ph ◽  
Root Medium ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Media ◽  
Garden Plant ◽  
Published Research

In 2002 the USDA reported potted geraniums accounted for $150 million in wholesale value, more than any other bedding or garden plant surveyed. Despite the importance of the geranium in floriculture production, little published research data is available pertaining to the media pH requirements of zonal and ivy geraniums. Current recommendations suggest zonal geraniums be grown at pH 5.7-6.6 and ivy geraniums at pH 5.0-6.2. The wide range in root medium pH recommendations for both zonal and ivy geraniums and the lack of research data prompted this research. Also, the basis for recommending a lower medium pH for ivy geraniums could not be found in published literature. The research objectives were to investigate the effect of medium pH on plant growth and to determine more precise recommendations for both species. The growth of 3 cultivars each of zonal and ivy geraniums growing in 8 medium pH treatments were evaluated. Limestone and hydrated lime were incorporated at increasing rates into a 1:1:1 peat, perlite and bark mix to achieve a medium pH ranging from pH 4.0-7.5. Plants were harvested at weeks 3, 6, and 11 and plant dry weight and media pH were determined. Leaf luminance, chroma and hue were evaluated at week 10. Plant dry weight was greatest at pH 6.55 or higher for both zonal and ivy geraniums at week 11. Leaves of plants grown at pH 6.55 or higher had significantly lower luminance and chroma and greater hue in all cultivars, corresponding to leaves that were darker, less vivid, and deeper green in color. This study shows a root medium pH greater than pH 6.5 results in greatest plant dry weight accumulation and quality of leaf color for both zonal and ivy geraniums. This study also shows ivy geraniums can be grown at the same media pH as zonal geraniums.

Oxford Handbook of Medical Statistics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet L. Peacock ◽  
Phil J. Peacock
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical Research ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Statistical Methods ◽  
Medical Statistics ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Published Research ◽  
Difficult Subject

A good understanding of medical statistics is essential to evaluate medical research and to choose appropriate ways of implementing findings in clinical practice. The Oxford Handbook of Medical Statistics, second edition, has been written to provide doctors and medical students with a comprehensive yet concise account of this often difficult subject. Described by readers as a ‘statistical Bible’, this new edition maintains the accessibility and thoroughness of the original, and includes comprehensive updates including new sections on transitional medicine, cluster designs, and modern statistical packages. The handbook promotes understanding and interpretation of statistical methods across a wide range of topics, from study design and sample size considerations, through t and chi-squared tests, to complex multifactorial analyses, all using examples from published research. References and further reading are included, to allow deeper understanding on specific topics. Featuring a new chapter on how to use this book in different medical contexts, the Oxford Handbook of Medical Statistics helps readers to conduct their own research and critically appraise others' work.

Oxford Handbook of Medical Statistics

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Peacock ◽  
Philip Peacock
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Statistical Methods ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Medical Statistics ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Published Research ◽  
Difficult Subject

Written in an easily accessible style, the Oxford Handbook of Medical Statistics provides doctors and medical students with a concise and thorough account of this often difficult subject. It promotes understanding and interpretation of statistical methods across a wide range of topics, from study design and sample size considerations, through t- and chi-squared tests, to complex multifactorial analyses, using examples from published research.

scholarly journals Family perceptions of quality of end of life in LGBTQ+ individuals: a comparative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 263235242199715
Author(s):  
S. Alexander Kemery
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Hospice Care ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Queer Health ◽  
Quality Of Dying ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Family Perceptions ◽  
Published Research

Background: Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community have encountered discrimination and stigmatization related to sexual orientation and/or gender identity both within healthcare establishments and in the larger community. Despite the literature describing inequities in healthcare, very little published research exists on the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer patients and family members in hospice care. Methods: A quantitative comparative descriptive design explored the difference in end-of-life experiences between a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer and non-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer cohort. One hundred and twenty-two family members of individuals who have died while under hospice care in the past 5 years completed the Quality of Dying and Death Version 3.2a Family Member/Friend After-Death Self-Administered Questionnaire. Results: Comparison of the experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer cohort ( n = 56) and non-LGBTQ cohort ( n = 66) yielded varying results, with the LGBTQ cohort experiencing lower quality end of life in some Quality of Dying and Death measures and no statistically significant difference from the non-LGBTQ cohort in others. Discussion: The findings from this study in combination with previously published works on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer health support the position that hospice providers must take concrete steps to ensure that professional caregivers and office staff are qualified to meet the needs of this marginalized population.

scholarly journals Misuse of Statistical Methods in 10 Leading Chinese Medical Journals in 1998 and 2008

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 2106-2114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shunquan Wu ◽  
Zhichao Jin ◽  
Xin Wei ◽  
Qingbin Gao ◽  
Jian Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Methods ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Group Comparison ◽  
Medical Journals ◽  
Common Error ◽  
Multiple Group ◽  
Case Series Study ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pair Wise Comparison ◽  
Made In

Statistical methods are vital to biomedical research. Our aim was to find out whether progress has been made in the last decade in the use of statistical methods in Chinese medical research. We reviewed 10 leading Chinese medical journals published in 1998 and in 2008. Regarding statistical methods, using a multiplet-test for multiple group comparison was the most common error in thet-test in both years, which significantly decreased in 2008. In contingency tables, no significant level adjustment for multiple comparison significantly decreased in 2008. In ANOVA, over a quarter of articles misused the method of multiple pair-wise comparison in both years, and no significant difference was seen between the two years. In the rank transformation nonparametric test, the error of using multiple pair-wise comparison for multiple group comparison became less common. Many mistakes were found in the randomised controlled trial (56.3% in 1998; 67.9% in 2008), non- randomised clinical trial (57.3%; 58.6%), basic science study (72.9%; 65.5%), case study or case series study (48.4%; 47.2%), and cross-sectional study (57.1%; 44.2%). Progress has been made in the use of statistical methods in Chinese medical journals, but much is yet to be done.

scholarly journals Examining the Psychological Health Quality of Life of Older People with Disability in Selected Districts in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-96
Author(s):  
Bismark Nantomah ◽  
Elijah Yendaw ◽  
Frank M. Borbor ◽  
Kwando Asante-Afari
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older People ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Visual Disability ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
People With Disability ◽  
Health Quality ◽  
Health Quality Of Life

Older people in Ghana suffer from a wide range of disabilities including visual, physical, and hearing with serious ramifications on their quality of life. Therefore, this paper examines the psychological health quality of life (PHQOL) of older people  with disability in selected Districts in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Through  a census survey, questionnaires were used to obtain data from 810 respondents.Independent-samples t-test and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to  examine their PHQOL. The results showed that mean scores in PHQOL were highest  among those aged 60-69 and lowest for those aged 80 years and older with a  significant difference [F (807) = 23.872 value, p = 0.000] in PHQOL of their ages. Those  who were married had the highest PHQOL mean score compared with those who  were separated / divorced and widowed with significant difference [F (807) = 42.690  value, p = 0.000] noticed in PHQOL across marital statuses. Also, those with physical  disability had a higher mean score in PHQOL than those with visual disability. The  study concludes that any geriatric policy interventions aimed at improving the  PHQOL of older people with disability ought not to downplay their background  characteristics as they underpin their PHQOL.

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