Amruta Phadtare

Scientific writing: a randomized controlled trial comparing standard and on-line instruction

BackgroundWriting plays a central role in the communication of scientific ideas and is therefore a key aspect in researcher education, ultimately determining the success and long-term sustainability of their careers. Despite the growing popularity of e-learning, we are not aware of any existing study comparing on-line vs. traditional classroom-based methods for teaching scientific writing.MethodsForty eight participants from a medical, nursing and physiotherapy background from US and Brazil were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 24 per group): An on-line writing workshop group (on-line group), in which participants used virtual communication, google docs and standard writing templates, and a standard writing guidance training (standard group) where participants received standard instruction without the aid of virtual communication and writing templates. Two outcomes, manuscript quality was assessed using the scores obtained in Six subgroup analysis scale as the primary outcome measure, and satisfaction scores with Likert scale were evaluated. To control for observer variability, inter-observer reliability was assessed using Fleisss kappa. A post-hoc analysis comparing rates of communication between mentors and participants was performed. Nonparametric tests were used to assess intervention efficacy.ResultsExcellent inter-observer reliability among three reviewers was found, with an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) agreement = 0.931882 and ICC consistency = 0.932485. On-line group had better overall manuscript quality (p = 0.0017, SSQSavg score 75.3 ± 14.21, ranging from 37 to 94) compared to the standard group (47.27 ± 14.64, ranging from 20 to 72). Participant satisfaction was higher in the on-line group (4.3 ± 0.73) compared to the standard group (3.09 ± 1.11) (p = 0.001). The standard group also had fewer communication events compared to the on-line group (0.91 ± 0.81 vs. 2.05 ± 1.23; p = 0.0219).ConclusionOur protocol for on-line scientific writing instruction is better than standard face-to-face instruction in terms of writing quality and student satisfaction. Future studies should evaluate the protocol efficacy in larger longitudinal cohorts involving participants from different languages.

What Leads Indians to Participate in Clinical Trials? A Meta-Analysis of Qualitative Studies

Background With the globalization of clinical trials, large developing nations have substantially increased their participation in multi-site studies. This participation has raised ethical concerns, among them the fear that local customs, habits and culture are not respected while asking potential participants to take part in study. This knowledge gap is particularly noticeable among Indian subjects, since despite the large number of participants, little is known regarding what factors affect their willingness to participate in clinical trials. Methods We conducted a meta-analysis of all studies evaluating the factors and barriers, from the perspective of potential Indian participants, contributing to their participation in clinical trials. We searched both international as well as Indian-specific bibliographic databases, including Pubmed, Cochrane, Openjgate, MedInd, Scirus and Medknow, also performing hand searches and communicating with authors to obtain additional references. We enrolled studies dealing exclusively with the participation of Indians in clinical trials. Data extraction was conducted by three researchers, with disagreement being resolved by consensus. Results Six qualitative studies and one survey were found evaluating the main themes affecting the participation of Indian subjects. Themes included Personal health benefits, Altruism, Trust in physicians, Source of extra income, Detailed knowledge, Methods for motivating participants as factors favoring, while Mistrust on trial organizations, Concerns about efficacy and safety of trials, Psychological reasons, Trial burden, Loss of confidentiality, Dependency issues, Language as the barriers. Conclusion We identified factors that facilitated and barriers that have negative implications on trial participation decisions in Indian subjects. Due consideration and weightage should be assigned to these factors while planning future trials in India.

Perceptions about female urinary incontinence: a systematic review

Introduction and hypothesisPerceptions about urinary incontinence (UI) may have a differential impact on treatment-seeking behaviors. Thus, we aimed to systematically review perceptions regarding UI in women of different racial and ethnic populations.MethodsMEDLINE, EMBASE, Scirus, Google Scholar, Open J-Gate, AgeLine, and Global Health (CABI) were searched from January 1980 to August 2011. We included qualitative studies that described knowledge, perception, or personal views about UI in women. Studies were excluded if they did not specify race/ethnicity of subjects, if they reported on non-UI urinary symptoms, or if they were performed exclusively in men. Three independent reviewers screened all studies. The relevance, appropriateness, transparency, and soundness (RATS) scale for qualitative research was used to assess study quality. Because of the qualitative data, meta-analyses were not performed.ResultsOf 3,676 citations, 23 studies met the inclusion criteria. Based on the RATS scale, these were categorized into 11 high-, 2 moderate-, and 10 low-quality studies. Dominant themes fell into two categories, UI management and UI experience, and were similar across racial/ethnic groups. Across multiple studies, women reiterated a preference for discussing UI with other women, even if this was not a physician. Non-white women expressed self-blame and perceived UI as a negative outcome from childbirth or prior sexual experiences. Latina women maintained more secrecy around this issue, even amongst family members.ConclusionsWomen across different racial and ethnic groups share similar UI management strategies and UI experiences. However, perceptions about UI may differ in certain populations. These findings could be useful when considering future educational strategies regarding UI in women.

So Different, yet So Similar: Meta-Analysis and Policy Modeling of Willingness to Participate in Clinical Trials among Brazilians and Indians

Background With the global expansion of clinical trials and the expectations of the rise of the emerging economies known as BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India and China), the understanding of factors that affect the willingness to participate in clinical trials of patients from those countries assumes a central role in the future of health research. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (SRMA) of willingness to participate in clinical trials among Brazilian patients and then we compared it with Indian patients (with results of another SRMA previously conducted by our group) through a system dynamics model. Results Five studies were included in the SRMA of Brazilian patients. Our main findings are 1) the major motivation for Brazilian patients to participate in clinical trials is altruism, 2) monetary reimbursement is the least important factor motivating Brazilian patients, 3) the major barrier for Brazilian patients to not participate in clinical trials is the fear of side effects, and 4) Brazilian patients are more likely willing to participate in clinical trials than Indians. Conclusion Our study provides important insights for investigators and sponsors for planning trials in Brazil (and India) in the future. Ignoring these results may lead to unnecessary fund/time spending. More studies are needed to validate our results and for better understanding of this poorly studied theme.

Factors affecting compliance with clinical practice guidelines for pap smear screening among healthcare providers in africa: systematic review and meta-summary of 2045 individuals.

Background Although the importance of the Pap smear in reducing cancer incidence and mortality is known, many countries in Africa have not initiated yet widespread national cervical cancer screening programs. The World Health Organization (WHO) has published Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) on cervical cancer screening in developing countries; however, there is a gap between expectations and clinical performance. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-summary to identify factors affecting compliance with CPGs for Pap screening among healthcare providers in Africa. Methods And Findings: MEDLINE, Scirus, Opengate and EMBASE databases were searched in January 2012. Studies involving medical personnel practicing in Africa, whose outcome measured any factors that affect medical personnel from using a Pap smear to screen for cervical cancer, were included. Two reviewers independently evaluated titles and abstracts, then full-texts, extracted data and assessed quality of the included studies. A descriptive analysis of the included studies was conducted. We calculated Frequency effect sizes (FES) for each finding and Intensity effect sizes (IES) for each article to represent their magnitudes in the analyses. Of 1011 studies retrieved, 11 studies were included (2045 individuals). Six different themes related to the factors affecting compliance with CPGs were identified: Insufficient Knowledge/Lack of awareness (FES = 82%), Negligence/Misbeliefs (FES = 82%), Psychological Reasons (FES = 73%), Time/Cost Constraint (FES = 36%), Insufficient infrastructure/training (FES = 45%) and also no reason given (FES = 36%). IES for articles ranged between 33 and 83%. Conclusions These results suggest that prevention initiatives should be comprehensive to include education and resources needs assessments and improvement, Pap smear test training, strategies on costing, and practitioner time studies.

Systematic review and metasummary of attitudes toward research in emergency medical conditions

Emergency departments are challenging research settings, where truly informed consent can be difficult to obtain. A deeper understanding of emergency medical patients’ opinions about research is needed. We conducted a systematic review and meta-summary of quantitative and qualitative studies on which values, attitudes, or beliefs of emergent medical research participants influence research participation. We included studies of adults that investigated opinions toward emergency medicine research participation. We excluded studies focused on the association between demographics or consent document features and participation and those focused on non-emergency research. In August 2011, we searched the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Scirus, PsycINFO, AgeLine and Global Health. Titles, abstracts and then full manuscripts were independently evaluated by two reviewers. Disagreements were resolved by consensus and adjudicated by a third author. Studies were evaluated for bias using standardised scores. We report themes associated with participation or refusal. Our initial search produced over 1800 articles. A total of 44 articles were extracted for full-manuscript analysis, and 14 were retained based on our eligibility criteria. Among factors favouring participation, altruism and personal health benefit had the highest frequency. Mistrust of researchers, feeling like a ‘guinea pig’ and risk were leading factors favouring refusal. Many studies noted limitations of informed consent processes in emergent conditions. We conclude that highlighting the benefits to the participant and society, mitigating risk and increasing public trust may increase research participation in emergency medical research. New methods for conducting informed consent in such studies are needed.

WriteSim TCExam--an open source text simulation environment for training novice researchers in scientific writing.

BackgroundThe ability to write clearly and effectively is of central importance to the scientific enterprise. Encouraged by the success of simulation environments in other biomedical sciences, we developed WriteSim TCExam, an open-source, Web-based, textual simulation environment for teaching effective writing techniques to novice researchers. We shortlisted and modified an existing open source application - TCExam to serve as a textual simulation environment. After testing usability internally in our team, we conducted formal field usability studies with novice researchers. These were followed by formal surveys with researchers fitting the role of administrators and users (novice researchers)ResultsThe development process was guided by feedback from usability tests within our research team. Online surveys and formal studies, involving members of the Research on Research group and selected novice researchers, show that the application is user-friendly. Additionally it has been used to train 25 novice researchers in scientific writing to date and has generated encouraging results.ConclusionWriteSim TCExam is the first Web-based, open-source textual simulation environment designed to complement traditional scientific writing instruction. While initial reviews by students and educators have been positive, a formal study is needed to measure its benefits in comparison to standard instructional methods.

Perceptions About Female Urinary Incontinence: A Systematic Review

Less than half of woman with urinary incontinence (UI) seek treatment. To explain the failure of women to seek treatment, a large number of factors have been examined that could influence their perceptions about UI. One such factor is race/ethnicity. Perceptions of women of different racial and ethnic groups about UI and seeking treatment are influenced by the level of their education, health-related knowledge, and resources. No prior systematic reviews have been conducted on perceptions and treatment-seeking behaviors in women of different racial/ethnic populations. This systematic review compares perceptions about UI that affect treatment-seeking behavior in women in different racial and ethnic groups. Qualitative articles published between 1980 and 2011 that assessed perceptions of UI in women were obtained through a search of the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scirus, Google Scholar, Open J-Gate, AgeLine, and Global Health (CABI). Selected articles were qualitative studies describing knowledge, perception, or personal views about UI in women. Excluded studies did not specify race/ethnicity, were performed exclusively in men, or reported non-UI urinary symptoms. Three independent reviewers screened all studies, selected pertinent studies, and abstracted data. The quality of studies was assessed by use of the relevance, appropriateness, transparency, and soundness (RATS) scale for qualitative research. Meta-analyses were not performed because of the use of qualitative data. A total of 3676 citations were identified. Of these, 23 met all the inclusion criteria. Levels of quality among the 23 studies varied; 11 were high-quality, 2 were moderate-quality, and 10 were low-quality studies. Dominant themes across all studies fell into 2 major categories: UI management and UI experience. Women preferred discussing UI with another woman, even if she was not a physician. Nonwhite minority women expressed self-blame for incontinence symptoms and perceived UI as a negative consequence of prior sexual experiences or childbirth. Hispanic women maintained more secrecy about UI, even with close family members. These data show similar UI management strategies and UI experiences across different racial/ethnic groups. Certain populations, however, have different perceptions about UI. These findings could be useful in planning future education strategies for women with incontinence.