A Guide to Conducting High-Quality Research on Quality of Life

PsycCRITIQUES ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Schnur
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
High Quality ◽  
High Quality Research ◽  
Quality Research

scholarly journals Effect of physical therapy on impairments in COVID-19 patients from intensive care to home rehabilitation: A rapid review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruben Debeuf ◽  
Eva Swinnen ◽  
Tine Plattiau ◽  
Ann De Smedt ◽  
Elisabeth De Waele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
High Quality ◽  
High Quality Research ◽  
Quality Research ◽  
Psychosocial Function ◽  
Inpatient Units

Objective: Guidelines regarding physical therapy for COVID-19 patients are often based on expert opinion. Recent clinical trials have reported effects on several rehabilitation outcomes in COVID-19 patients. This review summarizes the effects of physical therapy in COVID-19 patients. Data sources: PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases were systematically searched for studies investigating the effect of any physical therapy modality on impairments in adult COVID-19 patients. Included studies were (non)-randomized controlled trials, pre-experimental studies, and cohort studies in which a pre–post analysis was performed. Data extraction: After the screening process, data of interest were extracted from eligible studies and their risk of bias was assessed. Included outcome measures were divided into 3 groups: pulmonary function, physical function, and psychosocial function. Data synthesis: A total of 15 studies were included in this review. Physical therapy seems to have positive effects on pulmonary function, physical function, and psychosocial function. However, these effects differ between clinical settings (e.g. home care, intensive care unit, inpatient units). Due to the low-to-moderate quality of the included studies, no robust conclusions can be drawn. Conclusion: Further high-quality research is required, taking into account the different clinical settings, in order to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of physical therapy on impairments in COVID-19 patients.   Lay Abstract Guidelines regarding physical therapy for COVID-19 patients are often based on expert opinion or on evidence from studies of physical therapy in patients with other diseases. More and more clinical studies are investigat-ing the effect of physical therapy on the recovery of COVID-19 patients. Prior to this review, the importance of physical therapy for COVID-19 patients was not clear. This review summarizes the effects of physical therapy in COVID-19 patients. We reviewed and assessed the quality of the existing literature on this topic. Fifteen studies with a total of 1,341 COVID-19 patients were included in this review. Physical therapy appears to improve lung function, physical function, and psychosocial func-tion in COVID-19 patients. However, the effect can differ between clinical settings; for example, home care, intensive care unit, or other inpatient units. Due to the low-to-moderate quality of the included studies, no robust conclusion can be drawn. Further high-quality research is needed, taking into account the different clinical settings.

scholarly journals Exploring the Role of Web-Based Interventions in the Self-management of Dementia: Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis

10.2196/26551 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. e26551
Author(s):  
Abigail Rebecca Lee ◽  
Esther Vera Gerritzen ◽  
Orii McDermott ◽  
Martin Orrell
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Narrative Synthesis ◽  
High Quality ◽  
High Quality Research ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Management Concepts

Background The increasing prevalence of dementia has promoted a move toward equipping people with the skills required for greater self-management of the condition to enable a better quality of life. Self-management encompasses numerous skills, such as goal setting and decision making, which aim to improve an individual’s physical and mental well-being when they live with long-term health conditions. Effective self-management may lead to increased well-being and quality of life. Reviews of web-based and app-based interventions have suggested that they have the potential to provide self-management support for people living with a range of conditions, including dementia. Objective The aim of this review is to explore the existing use of web-based or app-based interventions that facilitate or support self-management in dementia and discuss their effectiveness in promoting self-management and independence. Methods A total of 5 electronic databases were systematically searched for relevant articles published between January 2010 and March 2020. Included studies were appraised using the Downs and Black checklist and the Critical Appraisal Skills Program qualitative research checklist. A narrative synthesis framework was applied using tables and conceptual mapping to explore the relationships within and among studies. Results A total of 2561 articles were identified from the initial search, of which 11 (0.43%) met the inclusion criteria for the final analysis. These included 5 quantitative, 4 mixed methods, and 2 qualitative studies. All the included articles were of fair to high quality across the two appraisal measures. Interventions were delivered through a range of web-based and app-based technologies and targeted several self-management concepts. However, there was inconsistency regarding the domains, often affected by dementia, that were targeted by the interventions reviewed. Conclusions Web-based and app-based interventions for dementia can be delivered through a range of means and can target different aspects of self-management. The small number of studies included in this review report positive outcomes that seem to support the use of these interventions for people living with dementia. However, there is a clear need for more high-quality research into this type of intervention delivery and for studies that use a much larger number of participants across the dementia spectrum. Future research should consider the barriers to and facilitators of intervention adoption highlighted in this review and whether interventions can encompass the physical, social, cognitive, and emotional domains affected by dementia.

scholarly journals Exploring the Role of Web-Based Interventions in the Self-management of Dementia: Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigail Rebecca Lee ◽  
Esther Vera Gerritzen ◽  
Orii McDermott ◽  
Martin Orrell
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Narrative Synthesis ◽  
High Quality ◽  
High Quality Research ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Management Concepts

BACKGROUND The increasing prevalence of dementia has promoted a move toward equipping people with the skills required for greater self-management of the condition to enable a better quality of life. Self-management encompasses numerous skills, such as goal setting and decision making, which aim to improve an individual’s physical and mental well-being when they live with long-term health conditions. Effective self-management may lead to increased well-being and quality of life. Reviews of web-based and app-based interventions have suggested that they have the potential to provide self-management support for people living with a range of conditions, including dementia. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review is to explore the existing use of web-based or app-based interventions that facilitate or support self-management in dementia and discuss their effectiveness in promoting self-management and independence. METHODS A total of 5 electronic databases were systematically searched for relevant articles published between January 2010 and March 2020. Included studies were appraised using the Downs and Black checklist and the Critical Appraisal Skills Program qualitative research checklist. A narrative synthesis framework was applied using tables and conceptual mapping to explore the relationships within and among studies. RESULTS A total of 2561 articles were identified from the initial search, of which 11 (0.43%) met the inclusion criteria for the final analysis. These included 5 quantitative, 4 mixed methods, and 2 qualitative studies. All the included articles were of fair to high quality across the two appraisal measures. Interventions were delivered through a range of web-based and app-based technologies and targeted several self-management concepts. However, there was inconsistency regarding the domains, often affected by dementia, that were targeted by the interventions reviewed. CONCLUSIONS Web-based and app-based interventions for dementia can be delivered through a range of means and can target different aspects of self-management. The small number of studies included in this review report positive outcomes that seem to support the use of these interventions for people living with dementia. However, there is a clear need for more high-quality research into this type of intervention delivery and for studies that use a much larger number of participants across the dementia spectrum. Future research should consider the barriers to and facilitators of intervention adoption highlighted in this review and whether interventions can encompass the physical, social, cognitive, and emotional domains affected by dementia.

scholarly journals P64 Quality assessment for the continuous bioanalysis of aldosterone: application in an European paediatric study

2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (6) ◽  
pp. e43.3-e44
Author(s):  
N Makowski ◽  
I Burdman ◽  
M Ali ◽  
H Majid ◽  
S Farahani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Method Validation ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Bioanalytical Method Validation ◽  
High Quality Research ◽  
Quality Research ◽  
Bioanalytical Method ◽  
Nominal Concentration ◽  
Paediatric Study

BackgroundA validation is crucial to ensure the quality of an analytical method and its results. However, the validation is only a first step, further quality assessment has to be utilised to ensure high quality research. Specifications for the validation process, but also for the assessment of data, acquired in a study setting, are given by the EMA and FDA to ensure highest quality of the data.1 2MethodsA multi-level analytical quality system was established. Data of the calibration standards (CSs), quality control samples (QCs), and incurred sample reanalysis (ISR) were evaluated according to the specifications given by the EMA and FDA guidelines.[1,2] For a run to be considered valid ≥6 levels or 75% of the CSs and 67% of the QCs (≥50% per level) had to vary ≤±20% (LLOQ ≤±25%) from their nominal concentration.[1,2] For the ISR analysis at least 67% of the ISR samples have to lay in ±30% to the nominal concentration of the mean of the original and reanalysed value.[1]ResultsSeventy analytical runs were conducted, applying the quality measures, 79% runs were classified as valid and were used to determine unknown samples in a paediatric study. The high quality of the acquired data is reflected in the high conformity of the CSs and QCs to the EMA and FDA guidelines, 99% of the CSs and 95% of the QCs were accepted. Further underlining the high quality of the acquired data, 85% of the IRS have also been accepted. The assay was successfully used over a time period of 29 months.ConclusionThe results of the quality assessment confirmed the robustness of the aldosterone assay throughout the whole study duration. Thus, the samples measured by this assay are reliable and facilitate the high quality research in the paediatric population.ReferencesGuideline on bioanalytical method validation. European Medicines Agency, London, UK (2011).Guidance for Industry: Bioanalytical Method Validation. US Department of Health and Human Services, US FDA Rockville, MD, USA (2018).Disclosure(s)Nina Makowski, Ilja Burdman, Mohsin Ali, Bartel A, Bjoern B. Burckhardt declare that there is no conflict of interest. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013) under grant agreement n°602295 (LENA).

scholarly journals Growing separation between teaching/ learning and research – anticipating the impacts from REF 2014.

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Paula Cabral ◽  
Isabel Huet
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
High Quality ◽  
High Quality Research ◽  
Quality Research ◽  
Quality Of Teaching ◽  
Assessment Systems ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Teaching Learning

Most quality assessment systems are based on an explicit separation of teaching/learning and research; however, in spite of their having enhanced both the organisation and quality improvement of each of these fields, they have also been contributing to a widening of the gap between the two and to the devaluation of teaching.The present study, developed in the UK, intends to provide some insights into the perceptions of former panel members, managers and academics, as they anticipate the impacts from REF 2014. Increasing pressure to achieve high-quality research has been leading institutions to hire the most prestigious researchers. Were there to be equivalent effort to achieve parity in the quality of teaching, this situation might be less worrying, for teaching does not currently enjoy the same investment; rather, its very inferiority is considered to have an even more negative impact on the development of new practices, as well as on student learning and support.

scholarly journals Health-Related Quality of Life of Elderly Women with Fall Experiences

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 7804
Author(s):  
Jiyoung Song ◽  
Eunwon Lee
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Elderly Women ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Basic Data ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

This study aimed to describe the health-related quality of life of elderly women with experience in fall treatment as well as to prepare basic data for the development of interventions to improve the quality of life for this group. The study was based on raw data from the 2019 Korea Community Health Survey. Using the SPSS program, the characteristics of the subjects were tested by frequency, percentage, and chi-square test. To establish the impact of fall experience on the health-related quality of life of elderly women, the OR and 95% CI were calculated using multiple logistic regression analysis. Of the 4260 people surveyed, 44.7% of the elderly women said they had a high quality of life, whereas 55.3% of the elderly women said they had a low quality of life. A younger age was associated with a better-rated health-related quality of life. Those who lived in a city and had a high level of education tended to describe a high quality of life. The quality of life was considered high by those who exercised, but low by those who were obese or diabetic. The results of this study can lead to a better understanding of the experiences of elderly women who have experienced falls, and they can be used as basic data for the development of related health programs.

scholarly journals Determining the psychometric properties of a novel questionnaire to measure “preparedness for the future” (Prep FQ)

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daren K. Heyland ◽  
J. Paige Pope ◽  
Xuran Jiang ◽  
Andrew G. Day
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Well Being ◽  
High Quality ◽  
The Future ◽  
Quality Of Death ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Abstract Background People are living longer than ever before. However, with living longer comes increased problems that negatively impact on quality of life and the quality of death. Tools are needed to help individuals assess whether they are practicing the best attitudes and behaviors that are associated with a future long life, high quality of life, high quality of death and a satisfying post-death legacy. The purpose of paper is to describe the process we used to develop a novel questionnaire (“Preparedness for the Future Questionnaire™ or Prep FQ”) and to define its psychometric properties. Methods Using a multi-step development procedure, items were generated, for the new questionnaire after which the psychometric properties were tested with a heterogeneous sample of 502 Canadians. Using an online polling panel, respondents were asked to complete demographic questions as well as the Prep-FQ, Global Rating of Life Satisfaction, the Keyes Psychological Well-Being scale and the Short-Form 12. Results The final version of the questionnaire contains 34 items in 8 distinct domains (“Medico-legal”, “Social”, “Psychological Well-being”, “Planning”, “Enrichment”, “Positive Health Behaviors”, “Negative Health Behaviors”, and “Late-life Planning”). We observed minimum missing data and good usage of all response options. The average overall Prep FQ score is 51.2 (SD = 13.3). The Cronbach alphas assessing internal reliability for the Prep FQ domains ranged from 0.33 to 0.88. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) used to assess the test–retest reliability had an overall score of 0.87. For the purposes of establishing construct validity, all the pre-specified relationships between Prep FQ and the other questionnaires were met. Conclusion Analyses of this novel measure offered support for its face validity, construct validity, test–retest reliability, and internal consistency. With the development of this useful and valid scale, future research can utilize this measure to engage people in the process of comprehensively assessing and improving their state of preparedness for the future, tracking their progress along the way. Ultimately, this program of research aims to improve the quality and quantity of peoples live by helping them ‘think ahead’ and ‘plan ahead’ on the aspects of their daily life that matter to their future.

scholarly journals Surgery and the kings of medical science

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ihsan Ekin Demir ◽  
Güralp O. Ceyhan ◽  
Helmut Friess
Keyword(s):  
Medical Science ◽  
Publication Activity ◽  
Impact Factors ◽  
The Political ◽  
Academic Productivity ◽  
High Quality ◽  
High Quality Research ◽  
Quality Research

Abstract Background Surgeons are frequently compared in terms of their publication activity to members of other disciplines who publish in journals with naturally higher impact factors. The time intensity of daily clinical duties in surgery is yet not comparable to that of these competitor disciplines. Purpose Here, we aimed to critically comment on ways for improving the academic productivity of university surgerons. Conclusions To ensure high-quality science in surgery, it is imperative that surgeons actively ask for and generate the time for high-quality research. This necessitates coordinated and combined efforts of leading university surgeons at the political level and effective presentation of the magnificent studies performed by young and talented university surgeons.

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