Mandi Newton

Health researchers in Alberta: an exploratory comparison of defining characteristics and knowledge translation activities

BackgroundCanadian funding agencies are no longer content to support research that solely advances scientific knowledge, and key directives are now in place to promote research transfer to policy- and decision-makers. Therefore, it is necessary to improve our understanding of how researchers are trained and supported to facilitate knowledge translation activities. In this study, we investigated differences in health researcher characteristics and knowledge translation activities.MethodsOur sample consisted of 240 health researchers from three Alberta universities. Respondents were classified by research domain [basic (n = 72) or applied (n = 168)] and faculty [medical school (n = 128) or other health science (n = 112)]. We examined our findings using Mode I and Mode II archetypes of knowledge production, which allowed us to consider the scholarly and social contexts of knowledge production and translation.ResultsDifferences among health researcher professional characteristics were not statistically significant. There was a significant gender difference in the applied researcher faculty group, which was predominantly female (p < .05). Research domain was linked to translation activities. Applied researchers reported engaging in significantly more Mode II activities than basic researchers (p < .001), and scored higher than basic researchers regarding the perceived importance of translation activities (Mode I, p = .01; Mode II, p < .001). Main effects of faculty were limited to engaged dissemination (medical school < other faculties; p = .025) and number of publications (medical school > other faculties; p = .004). There was an interaction effect for research domain and faculty group for number of publications (p = .01), in that applied researchers in medical faculties published more than their peers in other faculty groups.ConclusionOur findings illustrate important differences between health researchers and provide beginning insights into their professional characteristics and engagement in Mode I and Mode II activities. A future study designed to examine these dimensions in greater detail, including potential covariates across more varied institutions, would yield richer insights and enable an examination of relative influences, needs and costs of each mode of activity.

Internet-based innovations for the prevention of eating disorders: a systematic review

The objective of this systematic review was to compare the results of studies of Internet-based eating disorder prevention programs. Eight electronic bibliographic databases, three key journals, and study reference lists were searched. This method yielded five published studies: four experimental and one quasi-experimental. A meta-analysis of the study results indicated no statistical significance for pooled study outcome data. No robust evidence exists on the impact of Internet-based prevention strategies on eating disordered symptomatology and on putative factors that contribute to eating disorder development. Further intervention development and consideration to study design are needed to move this field forward.

Treating vulnerable populations: the case of eating disorders during pregnancy.

While eating disorders are a prevalent psychiatric issue for women, only a moderate amount of literature discussing the implications for pregnancy exists and even less explores how to identify and manage eating disorders in this patient population. This is despite known risks for adverse fetal, birth, and maternal outcomes because of these disorders. To enhance standard assessment practice and facilitate early intervention for the eating disordered patient, a general obstetrics role need not dramatically change to improve outcomes for mother and child.

Taking stock of current societal, political and academic stakeholders in the Canadian healthcare knowledge translation agenda

BackgroundIn the past 15 years, knowledge translation in healthcare has emerged as a multifaceted and complex agenda. Theoretical and polemical discussions, the development of a science to study and measure the effects of translating research evidence into healthcare, and the role of key stakeholders including academe, healthcare decision-makers, the public, and government funding bodies have brought scholarly, organizational, social, and political dimensions to the agenda.ObjectiveThis paper discusses the current knowledge translation agenda in Canadian healthcare and how elements in this agenda shape the discovery and translation of health knowledge.DiscussionThe current knowledge translation agenda in Canadian healthcare involves the influence of values, priorities, and people; stakes which greatly shape the discovery of research knowledge and how it is or is not instituted in healthcare delivery. As this agenda continues to take shape and direction, ensuring that it is accountable for its influences is essential and should be at the forefront of concern to the Canadian public and healthcare community. This transparency will allow for scrutiny, debate, and improvements in health knowledge discovery and health services delivery.

Discharge instructions for caregivers in the context of pediatric emergency care: a narrative synthesis protocol.

BackgroundThe period following discharge from a pediatric emergency department (ED) can be a time of significant vulnerability for caregivers who provide ongoing care to their child when they return home. Discharge communication practice varies widely at the individual practitioner and departmental level. At present, there are no nationally accepted guidelines for discharge communication for children and/or their caregivers in the ED.The primary objective of this knowledge synthesis is to understand how and why discharge instructions work and under what conditions. We will also examine the contextual factors and barriers and facilitators associated with discharge communication across varied ED settings.Methods/DesignUsing an integrated narrative approach, we will synthesize different types of evidence and explore relationships within and between included studies to develop a theory-based and knowledge user-informed discharge communication practice guideline. We will follow key principles for knowledge synthesis including: (1) involvement of a multidisciplinary team (for example, information specialists, statisticians, and content experts); (2) developing focused and answerable questions in collaboration with the knowledge users; (3) using a systematic method including specific tools and techniques appropriate for answering questions concerned with effectiveness and the implementation of interventions; and, (4) involving knowledge users throughout the process in an integrated knowledge translation approach.DiscussionThis collaborative and narrative approach will be a determining factor in increasing the reliability, validity and relevance of the study findings for healthcare practice and policy decision-makers.Trial registrationPROSPERO registration number: CRD42014007106

More than mingling: The potential of networks in facilitating knowledge translation in health care

Health care practitioners and managers often report difficulty keeping up with new health care research and may lack the skills to use research evidence in their workplace, and researchers often report constrained time and opportunity to exchange ideas with those who can benefit from their work. Although studies suggest micro ~one-on-one! and meso ~organizational0group! engagement are effective research translation strategies for addressing these barriers, less attention has been given to the role of macrolevel structures, such as networks, in facilitating micro and meso interchange. As a structure that connects many individuals, organizations, and groups, networks can act as key information-delivery and capacity-building arrangements, promoting connections and interpersonal development between health care practitioners, administrators, and researchers who may not otherwise interact. Why We Undertook This Initiative

Pediatric Emergency Research Networks: a global initiative in pediatric emergency medicine.

Objectives The objectives of the Pediatric Emergency Research Networks (PERN) meeting were to (i) learn about each of the participating networks missions, goals, and infrastructure; (ii) share important contributions that each network has made to the creation of new knowledge; (iii) discuss ‘best practices’ to improve each networks effectiveness and (iv) explore the potential for a collaborative research project as proof-of-concept that would help promote quality of care of the acutely ill and injured child/youth globally. Methods In October 2009 a multiday meeting was attended by 18 delegates representing the following pediatric emergency medicine research networks: Pediatric Emergency Medicine Collaborative Research Committee (USA); Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (USA); Pediatric Emergency Research of Canada (Canada); Pediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (Australia and New Zealand); and Research in European Pediatric Emergency Medicine (15 countries in Europe and the Middle East). Results The inaugural meeting of PERN showed that there is a common desire for high-quality research and the dissemination of this research to improve health and outcomes of acutely ill and injured children and youths throughout the world. At present, the PERN group is in the final stages of developing a protocol to assess H1N1 risk factors with the collection of retrospective data. Conclusion Several members of PERN will be gathering at the International Conference on Emergency Medicine in Singapore, where the group will be presenting information about the H1N1 initiative. The PERN group is planning to bring together all five networks later in 2010 to discuss future global collaborations.

Identification and Treatment in Obstetrical Patients

Eating disorders are well defined in females ages 14 to 24, and consist primarily of anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). Collectively, these two eating disorders are characterized by severe disturbances in eating behaviors and acute distress over body shape and weight. In AN, fear of weight gain coupled with a distorted body image leads to refusal to maintain a minimally accepted body weight (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 1994). Although women with BN also overvalue body size and shape, this disorder is characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by efforts to undo the binge episode (oral purging is the most widely known effort) (APA, 1994). Developmental, psychological, socioenvironmental and behavioral factors contribute to the complex development and persistence of AN and BN (Rosen & Neumark-Sztainer, 1998).