scholarly journals Priorities for Research into the Impact of Canine Surgical Sterilisation Programmes for Free-Roaming Dogs: An International Priority Setting Partnership

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2250
Author(s):  
Abi Collinson ◽  
Marnie L. Brennan ◽  
Rachel S. Dean ◽  
Jenny Stavisky
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Delphi Consensus ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
James Lind Alliance ◽  
Essential Resource ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
The Impact

Surgical sterilisation is a core activity of free-roaming dog population management (DPM) programmes globally. However, there is limited published evidence on its impact at the population level. To support evidence-based decision making in this field, it is important that research conducted is relevant to those involved in working with free-roaming dogs and implementing such programmes. The aim of this study was to adapt the James Lind Alliance (JLA) user involvement approach to systematically identify the top 10 research priorities regarding the impact of canine sterilisation. International stakeholders with experience working in DPM were asked in an online survey what unanswered questions they had regarding the impact of sterilisation programmes. Thematic analysis of survey responses was used to develop a long list of collated indicative research questions (CIRQs). A literature review was performed to identify questions that were ‘true uncertainties’ (had not been answered by evidence review). These questions were reduced to a shortlist via an online interim prioritisation survey, and a Delphi consensus process determined the top 10 priorities. The top 10 questions related to dog population size and turnover, dog bite incidents, rabies control, implementation in the field and human behaviour change. These priorities were identified and shaped by people with direct experience of canine surgical sterilisation programmes, and as such are an essential resource for directing future funding and research. Addressing these priorities will generate evidence that is directly applicable to policy makers and practitioners who make decisions regarding the management of free-roaming dogs (FRDs) worldwide.

Infant body composition in the PEA POD® era: what have we learned and where do we go from here?

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Li ◽  
L. J. McCargar ◽  
L. M. Casey
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Body Composition Assessment ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Research Themes ◽  
Pea Pod ◽  
Survey Responses

The availability of clinically feasible infant body composition assessment can inform current questions regarding the developmental origins of chronic disease. A strategic approach will facilitate more rapid advancement in knowledge. The objective of this study was to summarize published evidence and ongoing research activity in infant body composition using the PEA POD® infant body composition system. All published studies using the PEA POD® were identified and grouped according to study population and question. All centers with PEA POD® units were invited to participate in an online survey regarding past, current and future PEA POD® use, and results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The resulting information was used to identify gaps or limitations in existing knowledge, thus highlighting potential research priorities. Twenty-seven published articles were identified and grouped into six research themes. Although the number of infants studied is significant in some areas, interpretation of data is limited by methodological differences. Survey responses were received from 16 of ∼60 centers. Research themes echoed those identified from the published literature. Controlling for or reporting potential confounding variables is essential for understanding infant body composition data. Measurement of health outcome variables would be helpful in identifying associations.

scholarly journals Top 10 (plus 1) research priorities for expectant families and those with children to age 24 months in Alberta, Canada: results from the Family Research Agenda Initiative Setting (FRAISE) priority setting partnership project

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e047919
Author(s):  
Meredith Lee Brockway ◽  
Elizabeth Keys ◽  
Katherine Stuart Bright ◽  
Carla Ginn ◽  
Leslie Conlon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Priority Setting ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Steering Committee ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Child Research ◽  
James Lind Alliance ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Priority Setting Partnership ◽  
Parents And Caregivers

ObjectiveThe study objective was to identify the top 10 research priorities for expectant parents and caregivers of children up to age 24 months.DesignA priority setting partnership using a modified James Lind Alliance approach was implemented. First, a core steering committee was formed, consisting of 17 parents, clinicians and community agency representatives. Second, through in-person collaboration with steering committee members, we developed and distributed a survey to identify research priorities across 12 topics. In total, 596 participants consented and 480 completed the survey. Survey responses were grouped and themed into codes during a consensus-building workshop with steering committee members (n=18). Research and practice experts were consulted to provide feedback on which themes had already been researched. An in-person (n=21) workshop was used to establish the top 34 priorities, which were circulated to the broader steering committee (n=25) via an online survey. Finally, the core steering committee members (n=18) met to determine and rank a top 10 (plus 1) list of research priorities.SettingThis study was conducted in Alberta, Canada.ParticipantsExpectant parents and caregivers of children up to age 24 months.ResultsSurvey results provided 3232 responses, with 202 unique priorities. After expert feedback and steering committee consensus, a list of 34 priorities was moved forward for final consideration. The final top 10 (plus 1) research priorities included three priorities on mental health/relationships, two priorities on each of access to information, immunity and child development, and one priority on each of sleep, pregnancy/labour and feeding. Selecting 11 instead of 10 priorities was based on steering committee consensus.ConclusionsThe findings will direct future maternal–child research, ensuring it is rooted in parent-identified priorities that represent contemporary needs. To provide meaningful outcomes, research in these priority areas must consider diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and experiences.

scholarly journals Common hand and wrist conditions: creation of UK research priorities defined by a James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e044207
Author(s):  
Alexia Karantana ◽  
Tim Davis ◽  
Donna Kennedy ◽  
Debbie Larson ◽  
Dominic Furniss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Priority Setting ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Grant Applications ◽  
Charitable Organisation ◽  
James Lind Alliance ◽  
Treatment Uncertainties ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Priority Setting Partnership

ObjectivePrioritisation of important treatment uncertainties for ‘Common Conditions Affecting the Hand and Wrist’ via a UK-based James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership.SettingThis process was funded by a national charitable organisation and based in the UK.ParticipantsAnyone with experience of common conditions affecting the adult hand and wrist, including patients, carers and healthcare professionals. All treatment modalities delivered by a hand specialist, including therapists, surgeons or other allied professionals, were considered.InterventionsEstablished James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership methods were employed.Electronic and paper questionnaires identified potential uncertainties. These were subsequently confirmed using relevant, up-to-date systematic reviews. A final list of top 10 research uncertainties was developed via a face-to-face workshop with representation from patients and clinicians. Impact of research was sought by surveying hand clinicians electronically.Outcome measuresThe survey responses and prioritisation—both survey and workshop based.ResultsThere were 889 individually submitted questions from the initial survey, refined to 59 uncertainties across 32 themes. Eight additional uncertainties were added from published literature before prioritisation by 261 participants and the workshop allowed the final top 10 list to be finalised. The top 10 has so far contributed to the award of over £3.8 million of competitively awarded funding.ConclusionsThe Common Conditions in the Hand and Wrist Priority Setting Partnership identified important research questions and has allowed research funders to identify grant applications which are important to both patients and clinicians

scholarly journals Defensive medicine in neurosurgery: the Canadian experience

2016 ◽  
Vol 124 (5) ◽  
pp. 1524-1530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy R. Smith ◽  
M. Maher Hulou ◽  
Sandra C. Yan ◽  
David J. Cote ◽  
Brian V. Nahed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Defensive Medicine ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Risk Environment ◽  
Malpractice Insurance ◽  
The Us ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
The Impact

OBJECT Recent studies have examined the impact of perceived medicolegal risk and compared how this perception impacts defensive practices within the US. To date, there have been no published data on the practice of defensive medicine among neurosurgeons in Canada. METHODS An online survey containing 44 questions was sent to 170 Canadian neurosurgeons and used to measure Canadian neurosurgeons’ perception of liability risk and their practice of defensive medicine. The survey included questions on the following domains: surgeon demographics, patient characteristics, type of physician practice, surgeon liability profile, policy coverage, defensive behaviors, and perception of the liability environment. Survey responses were analyzed and summarized using counts and percentages. RESULTS A total of 75 neurosurgeons completed the survey, achieving an overall response rate of 44.1%. Over one-third (36.5%) of Canadian neurosurgeons paid less than $5000 for insurance annually. The majority (87%) of Canadian neurosurgeons felt confident with their insurance coverage, and 60% reported that they rarely felt the need to practice defensive medicine. The majority of the respondents reported that the perceived medicolegal risk environment has no bearing on their preferred practice location. Only 1 in 5 respondent Canadian neurosurgeons (21.8%) reported viewing patients as a potential lawsuit. Only 4.9% of respondents would have selected a different career based on current medicolegal risk factors, and only 4.1% view the cost of annual malpractice insurance as a major burden. CONCLUSIONS Canadian neurosurgeons perceive their medicolegal risk environment as more favorable and their patients as less likely to sue than their counterparts in the US do. Overall, Canadian neurosurgeons engage in fewer defensive medical behaviors than previously reported in the US.

scholarly journals Perceived impact of meteorological conditions on the use of public space in winter settlements

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 631-642
Author(s):  
Agneta Larsson ◽  
David Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Meteorological Conditions ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThis study aimed to assess the impact of meteorological conditions on the use of public space in Scandinavia and Canada. Between September 21 and December 18, 2017, a cross-sectional online survey ‘EAMQ-Climate: space’ was distributed via web-based platforms. Survey responses were received from 361 residents (258 people from Scandinavia and 103 from Canada). The relative impact of the meteorological determinants on the use of public space was calculated, and a factor analysis was performed. Disparities between Canada and Scandinavia as well as between the climate zones represented were analysed using ANOVA. Overall results showed that the most significant meteorological enablers for the use of outdoor public spaces in winter were solar gain, snowfall and snow-covered surfaces. The main barriers were slush-covered and icy surfaces, rainfall and darkness. Wind and cold were conditions with less influence. The impact of rain and ice, however, differed between climatic zones. It was also established that, when addressing the meteorological impact on avoiding the use of public spaces in winter, it is vital to discriminate between conditions related to a) the ground surface and b) ambient conditions, as well as the particular significance of c) snow and sun, and d) darkness. For the design of public space in winter cities, we conclude that designers need to focus on a wider range of weather conditions than sun, wind and cold, and include snow, rainfall, slushy and icy ground and poor visibility. The study suggests that winter public space has a higher climatic design requirement to be successful than streets and pathways that are mainly used for soft mobility.

scholarly journals Identifying and prioritising unanswered research questions for people with hyperacusis: James Lind Alliance Hyperacusis Priority Setting Partnership

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e032178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Fackrell ◽  
Linda Stratmann ◽  
Veronica Kennedy ◽  
Carol MacDonald ◽  
Hilary Hodgson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experience ◽  
Priority Setting ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
James Lind Alliance ◽  
Essential Resource ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Priority Setting Partnership

ObjectiveTo determine research priorities in hyperacusis that key stakeholders agree are the most important.Design/settingA priority setting partnership using two international surveys, and a UK prioritisation workshop, adhering to the six-staged methodology outlined by the James Lind Alliance.ParticipantsPeople with lived experience of hyperacusis, parents/carers, family and friends, educational professionals and healthcare professionals who support and/or treat adults and children who experience hyperacusis, including but not limited to surgeons, audiologists, psychologists and hearing therapists.MethodsThe priority setting partnership was conducted from August 2017 to July 2018. An international identification survey asked respondents to submit any questions/uncertainties about hyperacusis. Uncertainties were categorised, refined and rephrased into representative indicative questions using thematic analysis techniques. These questions were verified as ‘unanswered’ through searches of current evidence. A second international survey asked respondents to vote for their top 10 priority questions. A shortlist of questions that represented votes from all stakeholder groups was prioritised into a top 10 at the final prioritisation workshop (UK).ResultsIn the identification survey, 312 respondents submitted 2730 uncertainties. Of those uncertainties, 593 were removed as out of scope, and the remaining were refined into 85 indicative questions. None of the indicative questions had already been answered in research. The second survey collected votes from 327 respondents, which resulted in a shortlist of 28 representative questions for the final workshop. Consensus was reached on the top 10 priorities for future research, including identifying causes and underlying mechanisms, effective management and training for healthcare professionals.ConclusionsThese priorities were identified and shaped by people with lived experience, parents/carers and healthcare professionals, and as such are an essential resource for directing future research in hyperacusis. Researchers and funders should focus on addressing these priorities.

scholarly journals Parasitism, community structure and biodiversity in intertidal ecosystems

Parasitology ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (7) ◽  
pp. 101-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. N. MOURITSEN ◽  
R. POULIN
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Rocky Shores ◽  
Intertidal Communities ◽  
Metazoan Parasites ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Intertidal Ecosystems

There is mounting evidence that parasites can influence the composition and structure of natural animal communities. In spite of this, it is difficult to assess just how important parasitism is for community structure because very few studies have been designed specifically to address the role of parasites at the community level, no doubt because it is difficult to manipulate the abundance of parasites in field experiments. Here, we bring together a large amount of published information on parasitism in intertidal communities to highlight the potential influence of parasites on the structure and biodiversity of these communities. We first review the impact of metazoan parasites on the survival, reproduction, growth and behaviour of intertidal invertebrates, from both rocky shores and soft-sediment flats. Published evidence suggests that the impact of parasites on individuals is often severe, though their effects at the population level are dependent on prevalence and intensity of infection. We then put this information together in a discussion of the impact of parasitism at the community level. We emphasize two ways in which parasites can modify the structure of intertidal communities. First, the direct impact of parasites on the abundance of key host species can decrease the importance of these hosts in competition or predator-prey interactions with other species. Second, the indirect effects of parasites on the behaviour of their hosts, e.g. burrowing ability or spatial distribution within the intertidal zone, can cause changes to various features of the habitat for other intertidal species, leading to their greater settlement success or to their local disappearance. Our synthesis allows specific predictions to be made regarding the potential impact of parasites in certain intertidal systems, and suggests that parasites must be included in future community studies and food web models of intertidal ecosystems.

scholarly journals Wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: a secondary data analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jen Murphy ◽  
Mark Elliot
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
National Level ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: In March 2020 in response to the COVID pandemic the UK government declared a national lockdown where citizens were required to stay at home. The impact of this lockdown on levels of well-being has been a source of concern for citizens and mental health professionals.Objectives: We investigated the trajectory of well-being over the course of the ?first wave and sought to determine whether the change in well-being is distributed equally across the population. Speci?fically we investigated pre-existing medical conditions, social isolation, ?financial stress and deprivation as a predictor for well-being and whether there were community level characteristics which protect against poorer well-being.Methods: Using online survey responses from the COVID19 modules of Understanding society, we linked 8,379 English cases across ?five waves of data collection to location based deprivation statistics. We used ordinary least squares regression to estimate the association between deprivation, pre-existing conditions and socio-demographic factors and the change in well-being scores over time, as measured by the GHQ-12 questionnaire.Results: A decline in well-being was observed at the beginning of the fi?rst lock down period at the beginning of March 2020. This was matched with a corresponding recovery between April and July as restrictions were gradually lifted. There was no association between the decline and deprivation, nor between deprivation and recovery. The strongest predictor of well-being during the lockdown, was the baseline score, with the counterintuitive finding that for those will pre-existing poor well-being, the impact of pandemic restrictions on mental health were minimal, but for those who had previously felt well, the restrictions and the impact of the pandemic on well-being were much greater.Conclusion: These data show no evidence of a social gradient in well-being related to the pandemic. In fact, wellbeing was shown to be highly elastic in this period indicating a national level of resilience which cut across the usually observed health inequalities.

scholarly journals Population birth outcomes in 2020 and experiences of expectant mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a ‘Born in Wales’ mixed methods study using routine data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hope Jones ◽  
Mike Seaborne ◽  
Laura Cowley ◽  
David Odd ◽  
Shantini Paranjothy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Birth Outcomes ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
National Level ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Expectant Mothers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mothers Experiences

AbstractBackgroundPregnancy can be a stressful time and the COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of life. This study aims to investigate the impact of the pandemic on population birth outcomes in Wales, rates of primary immunisations and examine expectant mothers’ experiences of pregnancy including self-reported levels of stress and anxiety.MethodsPopulation-level birth outcomes in Wales: Stillbirths, prematurity, birth weight and Caesarean section births before (2016–2019) and during (2020) the pandemic were compared using national-level routine anonymised data held in the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. The first three scheduled primary immunisations were compared between 2019 and 2020. Self-reported pregnancy experience: 215 expectant mothers (aged 16+) in Wales completed an online survey about their experiences of pregnancy during the pandemic. The qualitative survey data was analysed using codebook thematic analysis.FindingsThere was no significant difference between annual outcomes including gestation and birth weight, stillbirths, and Caesarean sections for infants born in 2020 compared to 2016-2019. There was an increase in late term births (≥42 weeks gestation) during the first lockdown (OR: 1.28, p=0.019) and a decrease in moderate to late preterm births (32-36 weeks gestation) during the second lockdown (OR: 0.74, p=0.001). Fewer babies were born in 2020 (N=29,031) compared to 2016-2019 (average N=32,582). All babies received their immunisations in 2020, but there were minor delays in the timings of vaccines. Those due at 8-weeks were 8% less likely to be on time (within 28-days) and at 16-weeks, they were 19% less likely to be on time. The pandemic had a negative impact on the mental health of 71% of survey respondents, who reported anxiety, stress and loneliness; this was associated with attending scans without their partner, giving birth alone, and minimal contact with midwives.InterpretationThe pandemic had a negative impact on mothers’ experiences of pregnancy; however, population-level data suggests that this did not translate to adverse birth outcomes for babies born during the pandemic.

scholarly journals Students’ top 10 priorities of research uncertainties on students’ sleep: a pragmatic James Lind Alliance approach

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e043697
Author(s):  
Heidi Holmen ◽  
Kirsti Riiser ◽  
Borghild Løyland ◽  
Ida Hellum Sandbekken ◽  
Kari Almendingen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Collaborative Work ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
James Lind Alliance ◽  
Verification Process

ObjectivesInspired by the James Lind Alliance (JLA) user involvement approach, the aim of the present study was to identify the top 10 uncertainties for sleep research raised by students in higher education, and to discuss our experiences with adapting the JLA method to a student population.DesignThe study design is a pragmatic JLA approach, including a priority setting partnership within the field of sleep, collection of sleep-related research uncertainties as reported by students in higher education, sorting of the uncertainties and a final identification of the top 10 uncertainties through collaborative work between researchers, students, stakeholders and experts in the field. Uncertainties were collected using a one-question online survey: ‘as a student, which question(s) do you consider to be important with regards to sleep?’. A variety of approaches were applied to promote the survey to the students, including social media, radio, the university website, stands in university cafeterias and a sleep stunt. NVivo V.12 was used to code and sort the questions.SettingA higher education institution in Norway.Participants555 students.ResultsThe data collection provided 608 uncertainties, and the following prioritised top 10: (1) screen time, (2) stress, (3) educational achievements, (4) social relations, (5) mental health, (6) physical activity, (7) indoor environment, (8) substance abuse, (9) shift work and (10) sleep quality. Despite successful data collection, we found sleep to be a broad topic, and defining specific questions throughout the sorting and verification process proved difficult.ConclusionsWe identified the prioritised top 10 research uncertainties as reported by students in higher education, ranking screen time first. However, the process was time and resource consuming. The research uncertainties addressed by the students showed great diversity, characterised by heterogeneity and a lack of specificity, making verification of the uncertainties challenging.

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