scholarly journals Practice-Based Research Networks and Massage Therapy: a Scoping Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 25-34
Author(s):  
Samantha Zabel, MA ◽  
Niki Munk, PhD, LMT
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Massage Therapy ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
The United States ◽  
Database Search ◽  
The Body ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Research Networks ◽  
Massage Therapist ◽  
Practice Based Research

Background: Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) are means to connect practitioners with researchers and increase the body of rigorous research. PBRNs have been used in medicine for decades, but efforts to create PBRNs in massage therapy (MT) are limited. Purpose: Examine and describe the amount of and nature of MT-related publications derived from PBRN-supported endeavors. Publication Selection: Databases: Scopus, CINAHL, PubMed, ClinicalKey, EMBASE, Google Scholar. Keywords: massage, massage therapy, practice-based research network, PBRN. Key items: publication year, operating PBRN, article type, study design, general theme, massage therapist involvement/MT application. Inclusion Criteria: studies conducted through a PBRN using MT/massage therapists as an investigated factor; articles/editorials focused on PBRN-related MT research. Results: Initial database search resulted in 444 records; 40 articles included in analysis from database search, PBRN website access, and PBRN staff contacts. Publication dates ranged from 2005 to 2019, with nearly all published since 2013. Nine PBRNs published 29 articles based on 20 studies and sub-studies as research papers (n=21) or poster/oral presentation abstracts (n=8), and articles discussing the need for PBRNs in MT (n=8). Most research studies were conducted as surveys (n=21), examining practice characteristics (n=9) and patient perspectives/utilization (n=7). Three articles discussing PBRNs in MT were not connected to any specific PBRN. Conclusion: The PBRN model holds promise to further the field of MT, but implementation needs significant development. Promoting the creation and growth of massage-specific PBRNs should be a focus of professional associations and research institutions to expand the body of scientific evidence supporting MT. While the United States has had the most PBRN-related research efforts, a sustainable implementation model is not evident as highlighted by inactivity from US-based PBRNs after initial productivity. An Australian PBRN may serve as a needed sustainability model for massage-related PBRNs in the US if their productivity trajectory continues.

No Longer Overlooked and Undervalued? The Evolving Dynamics of Endogenous Educational Research in Sub-Saharan Africa

2006 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
RICHARD MACLURE
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
Educational Research ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Research Networks ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Local Research

Multilateral donors like the World Bank and bilateral agencies such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the British Department for International Development exert a great deal of influence in international educational development — particularly in sub-Saharan Africa — both in the programs they fund and the types of research they engage in. In this article, Richard Maclure investigates educational research in Africa and juxtaposes research done by large, exogenous, Western, results-oriented organizations with research performed by smaller, endogenous, local researchers aided by local research networks. Maclure argues convincingly that research that falls into the exogenous "donor-control" paradigm far too often is irrelevant to the African educational policy context and does little to develop local research capacity. The cases of two African research networks — the Educational Research Network of West and Central Africa and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa—are presented as exemplars of organizations that promote an alternative type of research that is endogenous, relevant to policy and the process of policymaking, and controlled by Africans. Maclure concludes with a call for increased support for and development of these types of networks, and for the development of the long-term solution to educational research in Africa — the university.

scholarly journals BBCIC Research Network Analysis of First-Cycle Prophylactic G-CSF Use in Patients Treated With High–Neutropenia Risk Chemotherapy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamala A. Pawloski ◽  
Cara L. McDermott ◽  
James H. Marshall ◽  
Vanita Pindolia ◽  
Catherine M. Lockhart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Real World ◽  
Comparative Effectiveness ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Safety Data ◽  
The United States ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Comparative Safety ◽  
Effectiveness Studies

Background: Chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia (FN) is prevented or minimized with granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs). Several G-CSF biosimilars are approved in the United States. The Biologics and Biosimilars Collective Intelligence Consortium (BBCIC) is a nonprofit initiative whose objective is to provide scientific evidence on real-world use and comparative safety and effectiveness of biologics and biosimilars using the BBCIC distributed research network (DRN). Patients and Methods: We describe real-world G-CSF use in patients with breast or lung cancer receiving first-cycle chemotherapy associated with high FN risk. We assessed hospitalizations for FN, availability of absolute neutrophil counts, and G-CSF–induced adverse events to inform future observational comparative effectiveness studies of G-CSF reference products and their biosimilars. A descriptive analysis of 5 participating national health insurance plans was conducted within the BBCIC DRN. Results: A total of 57,725 patients who received at least one G-CSF dose were included. Most (92.5%) patients received pegfilgrastim. FN hospitalization rates were evaluated by narrow (<0.5%), intermediate (1.91%), and broad (2.99%) definitions. Anaphylaxis and hyperleukocytosis were identified in 1.15% and 2.28% of patients, respectively. This analysis provides real-world evidence extracted from a large, readily available database of diverse patients, characterizing G-CSF reference product use to inform the feasibility of future observational comparative safety and effectiveness analyses of G-CSF biosimilars. We showed that the rates of FN and adverse events in our research network are consistent with those reported by previous small studies. Conclusions: Readily available BBCIC DRN data can be used to assess G-CSF use with the incidence of FN hospitalizations. Insufficient laboratory result data were available to report absolute neutrophil counts; however, other safety data are available for assessment that provide valuable baseline data regarding the effectiveness and safety of G-CSFs in preparation for comparative effectiveness studies of reference G-CSFs and their biosimilars.

scholarly journals New Zealand needs a Practice Based Research Network

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Leitch
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Healthcare Research ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Practice Research ◽  
Research Information ◽  
Practice Based Research

ABSTRACT Practice Based Research Networks (PBRNs) are groups of general practices collaborating to produce research. Contemporary New Zealand health information technology systems are ideal for electronic data extraction for PBRN research. Stakeholders have a valuable, but typically underutilised, part to play in research. Development of an e-participation platform will facilitate stakeholder engagement. New Zealand is in a unique position to create an innovative, low cost, stakeholder-engaged PBRN. This type of PBRN would offer unparalleled research opportunities, and would strengthen New Zealand’s general practice research capacity. The more research information we have based on our New Zealand population, the more appropriate care we can provide. Establishing a stakeholder-engaged PBRN in New Zealand will promote and support transformational change within our health system. In June 2015 I had the privilege of attending the annual Practice Based Research Network (PBRN) Conference held in Bethesda, near Washington D.C. The conference is hosted by the North American Primary Care Research Group and the United States (US) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. In this article I draw on the knowledge I gained at that conference and discuss its translation to New Zealand.

scholarly journals Use of digital periodontal data to compare periodontal treatment outcomes in a practice-based research network (PBRN) – a proof of concept

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Anna Peikert ◽  
Felix Mittelhamm ◽  
Eberhard Frisch ◽  
Kirstin Vach ◽  
Petra Ratka-Krüger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Outcomes ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Periodontal Treatment ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Research Networks ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Supportive Periodontal Therapy ◽  
Study Centre ◽  
Practice Based Research ◽  
Dental Practices

Abstract Background: Scientific studies in dentistry are mainly conducted at universities. However, most patients are treated in dental practices, which differ in many ways from treatment at the university. Through the establishment of practice-based research networks, however, it is also possible to examine studies in a real-world setting in dental practices. For this reason the aim of this non-interventional, observational study was to develop and evaluate a digital procedure to access, extract and analyse recorded clinical data in practices to assess periodontal treatment outcomes.Methods: Participating periodontists were former or active postgraduate students of a master’s course in periodontics in Freiburg who routinely used a digital periodontal diagnostic program. All available stored periodontal patient charts were extracted, anonymized and digitally sent to the study centre.Results: In this study, data were collected from 6301 patients from 9 different practices. Information such as probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), mobility, furcation and gingival attachment for 153163 teeth at first visit were successfully transferred to the study centre. During the average observational period of 9.77 years, only 2.8% of all teeth were lost. The number of visits was significantly negatively correlated with BOP (p<0.0001), and the number of BOP-positive sites was significantly correlated with deeper PDs (p<0.001).Conclusion: The presented procedure was able to gather a large amount of practice-based periodontal data, and thus this study may support practice-based research networks. The data indicate that systematic and supportive periodontal therapy is successful on a practice-based level.Trial registration: The study was internationally registered on 4 January 2017 in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS 00011448). https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00011448

scholarly journals One-year Clinical Results of Restorations Using a Novel Self-adhesive Composite Hybrid

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Rathke ◽  
Frank Pfefferkorn ◽  
Michael McGuire ◽  
Rick Heard ◽  
Rainer Seemann
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Results ◽  
The United States ◽  
Class Ii ◽  
Class I ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Class V ◽  
Dental Practitioners ◽  
Practice Based Research ◽  
Dual Curing ◽  
One Year

Abstract This prospective study assessed the dual-curing self-adhesive composite hybrid Surefil one. The restorations were placed and reviewed by dental practitioners who are members of a practice-based research network in the United States. Seven practitioners filled 60 cavities (20 class I, 19 class II and 21 class V) in 41 patients with Surefil one without adhesive, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The restorations were evaluated using modified rating criteria at baseline and after 3 months and 1 year. Patients were also contacted to report postoperative hypersensitivity 1 to 4 weeks after placement. Recall rates were 98% after 3 months and 82% after 1 year. The only patient that showed moderate hypersensitvity after 1 year had previously reported symptoms that were unlikely associated to the class I molar restoration. One class II restoration in a broken maxillary molar was partially lost. The remaining 48 restorations were found to be in clinically acceptable condition resulting in an annual failure rate of 2%. The lowest number of acceptable scores (88%) was for color match. Self-adhesive composite hybrid restorations showed promising results in stress-bearing class I and II as well as non-retentive class V cavities at 1-year recall.

scholarly journals Assessment of an Innovative Mobile Dentistry eHygiene Model Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in the National Dental Practice–Based Research Network: Protocol for Design, Implementation, and Usability Testing

10.2196/32345 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e32345
Author(s):  
Jin Xiao ◽  
Cyril Meyerowitz ◽  
Patricia Ragusa ◽  
Kimberly Funkhouser ◽  
Tamara R Lischka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Impact ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Dental Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Dental Practice ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Study Results ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Practice Based Research

Background Amid COVID-19, and other possible future infectious disease pandemics, dentistry needs to consider modified dental examination regimens that render quality care, are cost effective, and ensure the safety of patients and dental health care personnel (DHCP). Traditional dental examinations, which number more than 300 million per year in the United States, rely on person-to-person tactile examinations, pose challenges to infection control, and consume large quantities of advanced-level personal protective equipment (PPE). Therefore, our long-term goal is to develop an innovative mobile dentistry (mDent) model that takes these issues into account. This model supplements the traditional dental practice with virtual visits, supported by mobile devices such as mobile telephones, tablets, and wireless infrastructure. The mDent model leverages the advantages of digital mobile health (mHealth) tools such as intraoral cameras to deliver virtual oral examinations, treatment planning, and interactive oral health management, on a broad population basis. Conversion of the traditional dental examinations to mDent virtual examinations builds upon (1) the reliability of teledentistry, which uses intraoral photos and live videos to make diagnostic decisions, and (2) rapid advancement in mHealth tool utilization. Objective In this pilot project, we designed a 2-stage implementation study to assess 2 critical components of the mDent model: virtual hygiene examination (eHygiene) and patient self-taken intraoral photos (SELFIE). Our specific aims are to (1) assess the acceptance and barriers of mDent eHygiene among patients and DHCP, (2) assess the economic impact of mDent eHygiene, and (3) assess the patient’s capability to generate intraoral photos using mHealth tools (exploratory aim, SELFIE). Methods This study will access the rich resources of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network to recruit 12 dentists, 12 hygienists, and 144 patients from 12 practices. For aims 1 and 2, we will use role-specific questionnaires to collect quantitative data on eHygiene acceptance and economic impact. The questionnaire components include participant characteristics, the System Usability Scale, a dentist-patient communication scale, practice operation cost, and patient opportunity cost. We will further conduct a series of iterative qualitative research activities using individual interviews to further elicit feedback and suggestion for changes to the mDent eHygiene model. For aim 3, we will use mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) to assess the patient’s capability of taking intraoral photos, by analyzing obtained photos and recorded videos. Results The study is supported by the US National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. This study received “single” institutional review board approval in August 2021. Data collection and analysis are expected to conclude by December 2021 and March 2022, respectively. Conclusions The study results will inform the logistics of conducting virtual dental examinations and empowering patients with mHealth tools, providing better safety and preserving PPE amid the COVID-19 and possible future pandemics. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/32345

Oncology Social Work Research

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julianne S. Oktay ◽  
Bradley Zebrack
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Knowledge Base ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Body ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Distress Screening ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Oncology Social Work

Oncology social work researchers have made (and continue to make) important contributions to the knowledge base that supports the profession. This article discusses the profession of oncology social work, its roots in medical social work in the United States, the development of cancer treatment, and the body of research that informs its art and practice. Oncology social work research is placed in the broader contexts of the social work profession, the field of oncology, and the specific field of oncology social work. Through the decades, the profession of oncology social work has grown, gained stability and legitimacy. Oncology social work itself, along with oncology social work research, have made rapid strides in the 21st century and accelerating in impact and relevance. Oncology social work research is stronger now than ever. Recent developments, such as the addition of a research institute at the annual AOSW conference and initiatives to establish a “practice-based research network” are expanding capacity in the field. Oncology social work researchers bring a unique perspective to their research. Social work’s patient-centered perspective is reflected in research that explores the cancer experience of patients and family members and leads to new interventions based on that experience. Social work’s focus on human development over the life course results in research that reflects a developmental framework or focuses on specific age groups, such as children, adolescents, young adults, or the elderly. Social work’s conceptual model of “Person-in-Environment” is reflected in research on cancer patients in the context of their interpersonal relationships. The values of social justice and cultural competence are reflected in research on health disparities, minority populations, and multicultural perspectives. Finally, the field of oncology social work itself has been the focus of recent research on distress screening and its implementation. In the 21st century, oncology social work research stands in a pivotal position. Although this type of research is now widely recognized as important, it is still a challenge to access the level of support from major funders of cancer research required to establish and reinforce a strong and vibrant knowledge base for the profession.

scholarly journals Experienced Practitioners’ Beliefs Utilized to Create a Successful Massage Therapist Conceptual Model: a Qualitative Investigation

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Ann B. Kennedy, LMT, BCTMB, DRPH ◽  
Niki Munk, LMT, PhD
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Massage Therapy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Attrition Rate ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Massage Therapist ◽  
Business Acumen ◽  
Analytic Induction

Background: The massage therapy profession in the United States has grown exponentially, with 35% of the profession’s practitioners in practice for three years or less. Investigating personal and social factors with regard to the massage therapy profession could help to identify constructs needed to be successful in the field.Purpose: This data-gathering exercise explores massage therapists’ perceptions on what makes a successful massage therapist that will provide guidance for future research. Success is defined as supporting oneself and practice solely through massage therapy and related, revenue-generating field activity.Participants and Setting: Ten successful massage therapy practitioners from around the United States who have a minimum of five years of experience.Research Design: Semistructured qualitative interviews were used in an analytic induction framework; index cards with preidentified concepts printed on them were utilized to enhance conversation. An iterative process of interview coding and analysis was used to determine themes and subthemes.Results: Based on the participants input, the categories in which therapists needed to be successful were organized into four main themes: effectively establish therapeutic relationships, develop massage therapy business acumen, seek valuable learning environments and opportunities, and cultivate strong social ties and networks. The four themes operate within specific contexts (e.g., regulation and licensing requirements in the therapists’ state), which may also influence the success of the massage therapist.Conclusions: The model needs to be tested to explore which constructs explain variability in success and attrition rate. Limitations and future research implications are discussed.

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