Understanding Statistics

2002 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 297-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony C. Redmond ◽  
Anne-Maree Keenan
Keyword(s):  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Statistical Techniques ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Appropriate Use ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
The Third ◽  
Poor Comprehension ◽  
Statistical Approaches

Understanding statistics can be one of the more difficult and daunting tasks facing the clinician attempting to understand and use the research literature. While the fundamental aim of including statistics in literature is to justify the conclusions and to enhance the information presented, all too often, statistics serve only to intimidate and alienate clinicians. There are two sources for this barrier to understanding: poor comprehension of statistics by clinicians, and inappropriate presentation of statistics by researchers. In the third of our papers on evidence-based practice and the clinician, some basic principles of statistics are introduced. Aspects such as the concepts of clinical and statistical significance are discussed, and an outline of the appropriate use of specific statistics is provided. The hope is that this will enable the clinician to better judge the applicability of statistical techniques as applied in the published literature. Some of the newer, more ‘clinician friendly’ statistical approaches are also presented. Finally some of the cheats and shortcuts commonly encountered in the presentation of research are discussed, and the methods for dealing with them are outlined. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 92(5): 297-305, 2002)

Current Issues: Evidence-Based Practice for the Real World: Thoughts on Clinical Education in Communication Disorders

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 100-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne K. Bothe
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Education ◽  
Real World ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
University Faculty ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
The Real ◽  
Language Pathology

This article presents some streamlined and intentionally oversimplified ideas about educating future communication disorders professionals to use some of the most basic principles of evidence-based practice. Working from a popular five-step approach, modifications are suggested that may make the ideas more accessible, and therefore more useful, for university faculty, other supervisors, and future professionals in speech-language pathology, audiology, and related fields.

Step 3: Critically Appraising Evidence

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 402-405
Author(s):  
Susan Givens Bell
Keyword(s):  
Critical Appraisal ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Appraisal Process ◽  
Levels Of Evidence ◽  
The Third

Critical appraisal of the evidence is the third step in the evidence-based practice process. This column, the first in a multipart series to describe the critical appraisal process, defines and provides examples of the levels of evidence and tools to begin the appraisal process using a rapid critical appraisal technique.

Video Modeling for Learners with Developmental Disabilities

2016 ◽  
pp. 2276-2293
Author(s):  
Peggy J. S. Whitby ◽  
Christine R. Ogilvie ◽  
Krista Vince Garland
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Video Modeling ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Home Community

Video modeling is an evidence-based practice for learners with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, the use of video modeling interventions for learners with other developmental disabilities has received less applied attention in home, community, and classroom settings. This is unfortunate since the research literature supports the use of video modeling interventions for all learners with developmental disabilities. The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the research literature and make suggestions for implementing video modeling with learners who have developmental disabilities other than autism.

scholarly journals Evidence-based practice in primary healthcare from the managerial point of view – a national survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Abelsson ◽  
Helena Morténius ◽  
Ann-Kristin Karlsson ◽  
Stefan Bergman ◽  
Amir Baigi
Keyword(s):  
National Survey ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Significance Level

Abstract Background The vast availability of and demand for evidence in modern primary healthcare force clinical decisions to be made based on condensed evidence in the form of policies and guidelines. Primary healthcare managers play a key role in implementing these governing documents. Thus, the aim of this article is to investigate the use and availability of evidence-based practice resources from the perspective of first-line primary healthcare managers. Methods The study is based on a national survey of primary healthcare managers, consisting of 186 respondents, recruited nationally from Sweden. The data was analysed using empirically constructed concepts and validated using factor analysis. A chi-square test was utilized to determine the statistical significance of comparisons. Associations between variables were calculated using Spearman’s correlation coefficients. All tests were two-sided, and the significance level was set to 0.05. Results A majority (97 %) of managers stated that guidelines and policy documents impacted primary healthcare; 84 % of managers observed a direct effect on daily practices. Most of the managers (70 %) stated that some adaptation was needed when new evidence was introduced. The managers emphasized the importance of keeping themselves updated and open to new information about work routines (96 %). Conclusions The study illustrates a nearly unanimous response about the influence of clinical evidence on daily practice. The emphasis on the importance of all staff members keeping their professional knowledge up to date is viewed as a direct result of this effect on daily practice. An information-dense organization such as a primary healthcare organization would have much to gain from increased cooperation with regional information resources such as clinical libraries.

scholarly journals Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in Rehabilitative Physiotherapy

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Cimdi
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Wide Range

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is considered to be an essential component of clinical service delivery in healthcare. Australian physiotherapists have access to a wide range of resources to support the implementation of EBP. However, research indicates variability in how physiotherapists apply EBP with a range of factors affecting the successful implementation of EBP into everyday clinical practice. Using survey methodology, this study examined whether participation in an EBP professional development workshop is an effective strategy to enhance knowledge, attitudes and behaviours associated with EBP of physiotherapists working in a rehabilitation setting. Results revealed that nearly one third of participants rated their EBP knowledge and skills at a higher level following attendance at the workshop. An increase in the frequency in EBP related activities by physiotherapists including conducting searches and reading or reviewing research literature to support clinical decision-making was observed following attendance at the EBP workshop. Participants’ opinions of the value of EBP in improving the quality of patient care were noted to be more positive following the workshop. This small-scale study provides some promising results regarding the positive effects that designated EBP professional development can have on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of physiotherapists in their application of EBP. The elements that are required to further support and sustain a strong EBP culture amongst physiotherapists working in rehabilitation are also discussed.

scholarly journals Implementation of an Evidence-Based Practice Discharge Medication Protocol for Heart Failure Patients to Reduce 30-Day Readmissions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Dawn Onstott
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Heart Association ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Healthcare Budget ◽  
Discharge Medication ◽  
Intervention Protocol ◽  
The One

Practice Problem: An estimated 6.5 million American adults ≥20 years of age have heart failure (HF) and worldwide 1 to 2% of the total healthcare budget is spent on HF. To improve outcomes and streamline the treatment of HF patients, The American Heart Association (AHA) joined with the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and created the Get With The Guidelines Program (GWTG). PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this project was in adult HF patients admitted to the cardiovascular unit under the care of the hospitalist service, does implementing an evidence-based practice (EBP) discharge medication protocol for physician use based on the AHA GWTG program’s HF discharge medication protocol, compared to no standardized discharge protocol, improve patients’ 30-day readmission rate, in 12 weeks? Evidence: Evidence from 10 studies supported implementing an evidence-based GDMT tool into a standardized HF discharge medication protocol for this project. Intervention: Education and encouragement of use of the AHA GWTG discharge medication protocol for HF in the electronic health record (EHR) was provided to a group of physicians on a cardiovascular unit. The intervention was over a four-week period and pre- and post-intervention protocol use was observed with specific measures analyzed for observation of improvement. Outcome: The results determined there was minimal statistical significance, however, there was a decrease in the financial measure of the cost of HF readmissions denoting a clinical significance. Conclusion: Continued use of a guideline-based discharge medication protocol, such as the one utilized in this project, is recommended based on the results and evidence provided in this project.

scholarly journals Practitioner and Organizational Barriers to Evidence-based Practice of Physical Therapists for People With Stroke

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (10) ◽  
pp. 1284-1303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy M Salbach ◽  
Susan B Jaglal ◽  
Nicol Korner-Bitensky ◽  
Susan Rappolt ◽  
Dave Davis
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Academic Preparation ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Organizational Barriers ◽  
Almost All

Background and Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify practitioner barriers (education, attitudes and beliefs, interest and perceived role, and self-efficacy) and organizational barriers (perceived support and resources) to physical therapists’ implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) for people with stroke. Subjects The participants were 270 physical therapists providing services to people with stroke in Ontario, Canada. Methods A cross-sectional mail survey was conducted. Results Only half of respondents had learned the foundations of EBP in their academic preparation or received training in searching or appraising research literature. Although 78% agreed that research findings are useful, 55% agreed that a divide exists between research and practice. Almost all respondents were interested in learning EBP skills; however, 50% indicated that physical therapists should not be responsible for conducting literature reviews. Average self-efficacy ratings were between 50% and 80% for searching and appraising the literature and below 50% for critically appraising psychometric properties and understanding statistical analyses. Despite Internet access at work for 80% of respondents, only 8% were given protected work time to search and appraise the literature. Discussion and Conclusion Lack of education, negative perceptions about research and physical therapists’ role in EBP, and low self-efficacy to perform EBP activities represent barriers to implementing EBP for people with stroke that can be addressed through continuing education. Organizational provision of access to Web-based resources is likely insufficient to enhance research use by clinicians.

Understanding systematic reviews and their implications for evidence-based practice by examining aerobic exercise as a recreational therapy intervention for individuals with major depressive disorders

2008 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Catherine Coyle, PhD ◽  
Valerie Denault, BS ◽  
Rachel Miller, BS ◽  
Tan Pham, BS ◽  
Colleen Thomas, BS
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Intervention Development ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Recreational Therapy ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Major Depressive Disorders

This article reviews the need for and the process of conducting a systematic review of the research literature to guide intervention development and implementation in recreation therapy practice. Descriptive information of the process that was undertaken and the outcome that resulted from reviewing the research evidence for the use of aerobic exercise as a treatment for individuals with major depressive diagnosis is provided, along with practice and research recommendations for evidence-based practice that resulted from the systematic review.

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