Journal of evaluation in clinical practice
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Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS) is a debilitating, complex, multisystem illness. Developing a comprehensive understanding of the multiple and interconnected barriers to optimal care will help advance strategies and care models to improve quality of life for people living with ME in Canada. ⋯ People living with ME in Canada face significant barriers to care, though this has received relatively limited attention. This synthesis, which points to several areas for future research, can be used as a starting point for researchers, healthcare providers and decision-makers who are new to the area or encountering ME more frequently due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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We aimed to demonstrate the use of quantitative bias analysis (QBA), which reveals the effects of systematic error, including confounding, misclassification and selection bias, on study results in epidemiological studies published in the period from 2010 to mid-23. ⋯ The application of QBA is rare in the literature but is increasing over time. Future researchers should include detailed analyzes such as QBA analysis to obtain inferences with higher evidence value, taking into account systematic errors.
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Multicenter Study
The impact of a patient-centred care pathway for patients treated with oral anticancer drugs: A multicentre pre-posttest study in Flanders.
In the Collaborative Network To Take Responsibility for Oral Anticancer Therapy (CONTACT) project, an evidence-based and patient-centred care(PCC) pathway was implemented in 12 oncology departments in Flanders. The care pathway was developed in cocreation by an interdisciplinary project team, and tailored to the local hospital context. ⋯ This study showed small, however, no significant improvements in the quality of PCC and other patient outcomes. The lack of significant changes can be attributed to the complexity of the care pathway development, poor or unstable implementation of the care pathway and limited changes in follow-up care. More insight in the actual implementation of the care pathway and potential contextual factors influencing its effect is needed to help understand the outcomes of this pre-posttest study.
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Testing of new drugs through clinical trials is essential in efforts to increase generalizable knowledge. Little is known about the medical students' perception of their participation as research subjects in clinical trials. The aim of this study was to examine the willingness and attitudes of medical students towards participation as volunteer subjects in clinical trials. ⋯ Most students were undecided about their participation, but their attitudes towards clinical trials in general were positive. Positive attitudes towards clinical trials did not uniformly translate to the willingness for personal participation. Promotion of blood donation and volunteering at universities could help to increase the interest in clinical trials as volunteer subjects.
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Low-value radiological imaging threatens patient safety and efficient use of limited health resources. It is important to evaluate measures for reducing low-value utilisation, to learn and to improve. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to qualitatively evaluate a pilot intervention for reducing low-value imaging in Norway. ⋯ The pilot intervention was deemed acceptable, feasible, engaging and relevant. Specific training in the use of the new procedure was suggested to improve the intervention. The simple design, as well as the positive acceptance demonstrated and the few resources needed, make the pilot intervention and methodology highly relevant for other settings or when aiming to reduce the number of other low-value radiology examinations.