Journal of public health medicine
-
J Public Health Med · Dec 1995
The type and quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in UK public health journals.
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are increasingly being used to evaluate the effectiveness of health care interventions. Systematic reviews of RCTs form the basis of the Cochrane Collaboration, which aims to synthesize all RCTs concerned with the provision of health care. This paper reports the quantity and methodological quality of RCTs published in five UK public health journals, which were searched as part of a planned register of RCTs in public health. ⋯ These trials will form the basis of a register of RCTs in public health. The diversity of topics covered illustrates the broad-based nature of public health. For this reason, many other RCTs relevant to the practice of public health are likely to be found in non-public health journals.
-
J Public Health Med · Dec 1995
Outcome following fractured neck of femur--variation in acute hospital care or case mix?
This study examined the quality of care given to patients admitted to hospital with a fractured neck of femur by assessing the link between outcome, case severity and resource use. Fractured neck of femur was chosen for this study as it is a common condition amongst elderly people which causes considerable morbidity and mortality, uses a high proportion of acute hospital resources and is a condition where virtually all new cases will come under the care of the hospital service. ⋯ The results show that a poor outcome following a fractured neck of femur was related to increased case severity at the time of fracture. The resource variables had very little impact on the outcome.