scholarly journals Development of a Methodological Quality Criteria List for Observational Studies: The Observational Study Quality Evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjan Drukker ◽  
Irene Weltens ◽  
Carmen F. M. van Hooijdonk ◽  
Emma Vandenberk ◽  
Maarten Bak
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Quality Evaluation ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Study Quality ◽  
Quality Assessment Tool ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Existing study quality and risk of bias lists for observational studies have important disadvantages. For this reason, a comprehensive widely applicable quality assessment tool for observational studies was developed.Methods: Criteria from three quality lists were merged into a new quality assessment tool: the observational study quality evaluation (OSQE). OSQE consists of a cohort, case–control, and cross-sectional version.Results: The OSQE cohort, the OSQE case–control, and the OSQE cross-sectional version include all items applicable to that type of study, for example, the representativeness of the study population, the validity of the independent and dependent variables, and the statistical methods used. Before scoring the OSQE, the rater is asked to define how to score items, in detail. A study can obtain a star for each item. Each item also has a veto cell. This cell can be checked when poor quality with respect to that specific item results in a low quality of the study despite stars on other items. Although stars add to a sum score, the comment field is the most important part of the OSQE.Conclusion: The OSQE presented in the current article provides a short, comprehensive, and widely applicable list to assess study quality and therewith risk of bias.

scholarly journals Impact of integrating pharmacists into primary care teams on health systems indicators: a systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (687) ◽  
pp. e665-e674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedict Hayhoe ◽  
Jose Acuyo Cespedes ◽  
Kimberley Foley ◽  
Azeem Majeed ◽  
Judith Ruzangi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Quality Assessment Tool

BackgroundEvidence suggests that pharmacists integrated into primary care can improve patient outcomes and satisfaction, but their impact on healthcare systems is unclear.AimTo identify the key impacts of pharmacists’ integration into primary care on health system indicators, such as healthcare utilisation and costs.Design and settingA systematic review of literature.MethodEmbase, MEDLINE, Scopus, the Health Management Information Consortium, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were examined, along with reference lists of relevant studies. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies published up until June 2018, which considered health system outcomes of the integration of pharmacists into primary care, were included. The Cochrane risk of bias quality assessment tool was used to assess risk of bias for RCTs; the National Institute of Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute quality assessment tool was used for observational studies. Data were extracted from published reports and findings synthesised.ResultsSearches identified 3058 studies, of which 28 met the inclusion criteria. Most included studies were of fair quality. Pharmacists in primary care resulted in reduced use of GP appointments and reduced emergency department (ED) attendance, but increased overall primary care use. There was no impact on hospitalisations, but some evidence of savings in overall health system and medication costs.ConclusionIntegrating pharmacists into primary care may reduce GP workload and ED attendance. However, further higher quality studies are needed, including research to clarify the cost-effectiveness of the intervention and the long-term impact on health system outcomes.

Relationship of the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Origin on the Distal Femur to the Distal Femoral Physis: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 261-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle R. Sochacki ◽  
Kevin G. Shea ◽  
Kunal Varshneya ◽  
Marc R. Safran ◽  
Geoffrey D. Abrams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Medial Patellofemoral Ligament ◽  
Distal Femur ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Skeletally Immature ◽  
Quality Assessment Tool ◽  
Femoral Physis

Background: The relationship between the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) and the distal femoral physis has been reported in multiple studies. Purpose: To determine the distance from the MPFL central origin on the distal femur to the medial distal femoral physis in skeletally immature participants. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Multiple databases were searched for studies investigating the anatomic origin of the MPFL on the distal femur and its relationship to the medial distal femoral physis in skeletally immature participants. Study methodological quality was analyzed with the Anatomical Quality Assessment tool, with studies categorized as low risk, high risk, or unclear risk of bias. Continuous variable data were reported as mean ± SD. Categorical variable data were reported as frequency with percentage. Results: Seven articles were analyzed (298 femurs, 53.7% male patients; mean age, 11.7 ± 3.4 years). There was low risk of bias based on the Anatomical Quality Assessment tool. The distance from the MPFL origin to the distal femoral physis ranged from 3.7 mm proximal to the physis to 10.0 mm distal to the physis in individual studies. Six of 7 studies reported that the MPFL origin on the distal femur lies distal to the medial distal femoral physis in the majority of specimens. The MPFL originated distal to the medial distal femoral physis in 92.8% of participants at a mean distance of 6.9 ± 2.4 mm. Conclusion: The medial patellofemoral ligament originates distal to the medial distal femoral physis in the majority of cases at a mean proximal-to-distal distance of 7 mm distal to the physis. However, this is variable in the literature owing to study design and patient age and sex.

Quality evaluation of residential houses: the development of a real-time quality assessment tool

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
Michalis Menicou ◽  
Vassos Vassiliou ◽  
Marios Charalambides ◽  
Petros Christou
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Quality Evaluation ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Quality Assessment Tool

scholarly journals The association between self-efficacy and self-care in essential hypertension: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Felicia Clara Jun Hui Tan ◽  
Prawira Oka ◽  
Hajira Dambha-Miller ◽  
Ngiap Chuan Tan
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Quality Assessment Tool ◽  
Medium Quality

Abstract Background The successful management of hypertension requires sustained engagement in self-care behaviour such as adhering to medication regimens and diet. Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory suggests that self-efficacy is a major determinant of engagement in self-care behaviour. Self-efficacy refers to an individual’s belief in their capacity to execute behaviours necessary to produce specific performance attainments. This systematic review of observational studies aims to summarise and evaluate the quality of evidence available to support the association between self-efficacy and engagement in self-care behaviour in hypertension. Methods Searches were performed of the Pubmed, MEDLINE, CINAHL and OpenSIGLE databases from database inception to January 2020. Reference lists and individual journals were also hand searched. Observational studies in English quantifying self-efficacy and self-care behaviour in hypertensive adults were included. The quality of included articles was assessed with the National Institute of Health Quality Assessment Tool for observational studies. Results The literature search identified 102 studies, of which 22 met the inclusion criteria for full-text review. There were 21 studies which reported that higher self-efficacy was associated with engagement in self-care behaviours including medication adherence (n = 9), physical activity (n = 2) and dietary changes (n = 1). Of these, 12 studies were rated as ‘good’ on the quality assessment tool and 10 were ‘fair’. A common limitation in these studies was a lack of objectivity due to their reliance on self-reporting of engagement in self-care behaviour. Conclusion Our review suggests an association between self-efficacy and self-care. However, the evidence supporting this association is of low to medium quality and is limited by heterogeneity. Our findings suggest the need for further well-designed interventional studies to investigate this association.

scholarly journals Hubungan Aktivitas Duduk Lama Dengan Keluhan Musculoskeletal Pada Punggung Bawah: Critical Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 150-161
Author(s):  
Rahayu Gita Junita ◽  
Arif Pristianto ◽  
Arin Supriyadi ◽  
Taufik Eko Susilo
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Google Scholar ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Quality Assessment Tool ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pubmed Central ◽  
Observational Cohort

Latar belakang Duduk dengan waktu yang lama dapat meningkatkan ketegangan pada otot punggung serta pinggul dan menimbulkan ketegangan pada persendian dalam posisi statis untuk waktu yang lama. Otot punggung mengalami kontraksi yang berlebihan, kemudian untuk menahan dan mempertahankan posisi duduk, otot menjadi spasm atau tightness. Nyeri pada punggung bawah adalah kondisi musculoskeletal yang paling umum ditemukan. Tujuan Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meriview artikel penelitian terdahulu tentang hubungan aktivitas duduk lama dengan keluhan musculoskeletal pada punggung bawah. Metode Metode penelitian menggunakan critical review dan pencarian data dilakukan untuk mengidentifikasi metode cross sectional observational menggunakan mesin pencarian literatur seperti pubmed central (PMC) dan google scholar, kemudian dilanjutkan dengan mengidentifikasi jenis quartile (Q1-4) menggunakan mesin pencarian scimago journal and country rank (SJR) dan penilaian dengan quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional study. Hasil Didapatkan hasil sebanyak 9 artikel yang digunakan sebagai landasan penelitian yang disesuaikan dari kriteria inklusi, dilakukan review artikel, disesuaikan dengan kaidah what, who, where, when hingga dinilai dengan quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional study. Kesimpulan Penelitian menunjukkan adanya hubungan yang signifikan pada aktivitas duduk lama dengan keluhan musculoskeletal pada punggung bawah.Kata Kunci Aktivitas duduk lama, gangguan muskuloskeletal, nyeri punggung bawah.

Quality Evaluation of Mobile Health Apps That Act as Surgical Preparatory Guides (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naga Sindhura Gadde ◽  
Kevin Yi-Lwern Yap
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Operating Room ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Quality Evaluation ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Quality Assessment Tool ◽  
Privacy And Security ◽  
Operating Room Personnel ◽  
Surgical Preparation

BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) apps are becoming increasingly used in surgical practices for training, education, and communication. Factors leading to increased delays, morbidity and mortality in surgery include inadequate pre-operative patient preparation due to failure to identify patients and the procedure details, and missed instruments and equipment required for the procedure. Many apps are available for supporting pre-, intra- and post-operative care. However, there is a lack of studies that assess the quality of apps that act as surgical preparatory guides. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the quality of the surgical apps that act as surgical preparatory guides for operating room personnel through an in-house quality assessment tool. METHODS The quality assessment tool comprised of 35 questions categorised into 5 sections on engagement (customisation, interactivity, target audience; 19 points), functionality (performance, ease of use, navigation; 12 points), aesthetics (layout, visual appeal; 6 points), information (quality and quantity of information, visual information, credibility; 29 points), and privacy and security (4 points). An app search was conducted in the Australian Apple and Google Play stores based on the keywords: “surgical apps”, “surgical preferences”, “surgeon preferences”, “operating room” and “perioperative procedures”. The overall total scores and scores for each section were reported as medians and inter-quartile ranges (IQR), expressed as raw scores and percentages. RESULTS Five unique apps were evaluated on both iOS and Android platforms. The median overall score across all apps was 35/70 (50.0%; IQR 38.6%-64.3%). ScrubUp (48/70, 68.6%) and MySurgeon (42/70, 60.0%) had the highest overall scores, followed by PrefCard (35/70, 50.0%) and Scrubnote (28/70, 40.0%). The lowest scoring app was BrainPadd (26/70, 37.1%). The sections with the highest median scores, in decreasing order, were privacy and security (100.0%, IQR 75.0%-100.0%), aesthetics (83.3%, IQR 75.0%-91.7%), engagement (78.9%, IQR 57.9%-86.8%), functionality (58.3%, IQR 29.2%-75.0%) and information (17.2%; IQR 15.5%-34.5%). Most apps scored well (4/4, 100.0%) on privacy and security, except for Scrubnote (2/4, 50.0%). ScrubUp scored a perfect score for aesthetics (6/6, 100.0%). MySurgeon (17/19, 89.5%) had the highest engagement score; while ScrubUp and MySurgeon had the highest functionality scores (9/12, 75.0% each). All apps scored below 50% for the information section, with ScrubUp having the highest score of 13/29 (44.8%). CONCLUSIONS ScrubUp and MySurgeon had the highest quality scores and can be used by operating room personnel for their surgical preparation. Developers are encouraged to use the quality evaluation criteria in our tool to develop appropriate apps for surgical preparation. Operating room personnel can also use this tool as a guide to select and assess their preferred apps in their practices.

scholarly journals Study design: what’s in a name?

2020 ◽  
Vol 183 (6) ◽  
pp. E11-E13
Author(s):  
Olaf M Dekkers ◽  
Rolf H H Groenwold
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Short Paper ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Trial Intervention ◽  
Control Study

The name of the study should properly reflect the actual conduct and analysis of the study. This short paper provides guidance on how to properly name the study design. The first distinction is between a trial (intervention given to patients to study its effect) and an observational study. For observational studies, it should further be decided whether it is cross-sectional or whether follow-up time is taken into account (cohort or case–control study). The distinction prospective-retrospective has two disadvantages: prospective is often seen as marker of higher quality, which is not necessarily true; there is no unifying definition that makes a proper distinction between retrospective and prospective possible.

scholarly journals Impact of healthcare strikes on patient mortality: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e050826
Author(s):  
Ryan Essex ◽  
Sharon Marie Weldon ◽  
Trevor Thompson ◽  
Erika Kalocsanyiova ◽  
Paul McCrone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Studies ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hospital Clinic

IntroductionA strike is a collective, temporary and calculated action, which involves a temporary stoppage of work. For healthcare professionals strike action poses a unique dilemma. Perhaps most fundamentally, as strike action is designed to be disruptive it has the potential to impact the delivery of care and place patient well-being in jeopardy. The objective of this study is therefore to evaluate the impact of healthcare strike action on patient mortality outcomes globally using meta-analysis in order to provide a comprehensive evidence base that can advise healthcare professionals, governments and regulatory bodies on the impact that strike action has on patients.Methods and analysisA comprehensive literature search of major electronic databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, BIOETHICSLINE, EconLit, WEB OF SCIENCE, OPEN GREY and SIGMA REPOSITORY) will be undertaken to identify observational studies of strike action among healthcare professionals where in-hospital/clinic and population/community mortality is examined, prestrike, during and poststrike. Meta-analysis will be performed to estimate in-hospital/clinic and population/community mortality during periods of strike action. The quality of evidence will be assessed using the National Institute of Health quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk Of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies - of Interventions tool.Ethics and disseminationThis study does not require ethical approval. Findings will be submitted to an appropriate peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberCRD42021238879.

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