Characteristics of multi-institutional health sciences education research: a systematic review

Objectives: Multi-institutional research increases the generalizability of research findings. However, little is known about characteristics of collaborations across institutions in health sciences education research. Using a systematic review process, the authors describe characteristics of published, peer-reviewed multi-institutional health sciences education research to inform educators who are considering such projects. Methods: Two medical librarians searched MEDLINE, the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), EMBASE, and CINAHL databases for English-language studies published between 2004 and 2013 using keyword terms related to multi-institutional systems and health sciences education. Teams of two authors reviewed each study and resolved coding discrepancies through consensus. Collected data points included funding, research network involvement, author characteristics, learner characteristics, and research methods. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: One hundred eighteen of 310 articles met inclusion criteria. Sixty-three (53%) studies received external and/or internal financial support (87% listed external funding, 37% listed internal funding). Forty-five funded studies involved graduate medical education programs. Twenty (17%) studies involved a research or education network. Eighty-five (89%) publications listed an author with a master’s degree or doctoral degree. Ninety-two (78%) studies were descriptive, whereas 26 studies (22%) were experimental. The reported study outcomes were changes in student attitude (38%; n=44), knowledge (26%; n=31), or skill assessment (23%; n=27), as well as patient outcomes (9%; n=11). Conclusions: Multi-institutional descriptive studies reporting knowledge or attitude outcomes are highly published. Our findings indicate that funding resources are not essential to successfully undertake multi-institutional projects. Funded studies were more likely to originate from graduate medical or nursing programs

Reconstructing Disturbances and Their Biogeochemical Consequences over Multiple Timescales

Ongoing changes in disturbance regimes are predicted to cause acute changes in ecosystem structure and function in the coming decades, but many aspects of these predictions are uncertain. A key challenge is to improve the predictability of postdisturbance biogeochemical trajectories at the ecosystem level. Ecosystem ecologists and paleoecologists have generated complementary data sets about disturbance (type, severity, frequency) and ecosystem response (net primary productivity, nutrient cycling) spanning decadal to millennial timescales. Here, we take the first steps toward a full integration of these data sets by reviewing how disturbances are reconstructed using dendrochronological and sedimentary archives and by summarizing the conceptual frameworks for carbon, nitrogen, and hydrologic responses to disturbances. Key research priorities include further development of paleoecological techniques that reconstruct both disturbances and terrestrial ecosystem dynamics. In addition, mechanistic detail from disturbance experiments, long-term observations, and chronosequences can help increase the understanding of ecosystem resilienc

Reconstructing Disturbances and Their Biogeochemical Consequences over Multiple Timescales

Ongoing changes in disturbance regimes are predicted to cause acute changes in ecosystem structure and function in the coming decades, but many aspects of these predictions are uncertain. A key challenge is to improve the predictability of postdisturbance biogeochemical trajectories at the ecosystem level. Ecosystem ecologists and paleoecologists have generated complementary data sets about disturbance (type, severity, frequency) and ecosystem response (net primary productivity, nutrient cycling) spanning decadal to millennial timescales. Here, we take the first steps toward a full integration of these data sets by reviewing how disturbances are reconstructed using dendrochronological and sedimentary archives and by summarizing the conceptual frameworks for carbon, nitrogen, and hydrologic responses to disturbances. Key research priorities include further development of paleoecological techniques that reconstruct both disturbances and terrestrial ecosystem dynamics. In addition, mechanistic detail from disturbance experiments, long-term observations, and chronosequences can help increase the understanding of ecosystem resilience

Using research to improve ophthalmic nursing care.

This article focuses on the way in which the nursing care of patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery was developed as a result of an action research project. The research project is described and the following practice developments are discussed: the preoperative preparation of patients; the physiological effects of posturing; communication between patients, staff and the multidisciplinary team; and the knowledge base and clinical skills of nurses. These developments are evaluated and suggestions for future practice are made

Endless nights: patients' experiences of posturing face-down following vitreoretinal surgery

The aim of the paper is to report on a qualitative stuy carried out at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital (MREH) as part of a larger action research project. Anecdotal evidence suggested that generally patients found the experience of posturing face down after vitreoretinal surgery difficult. It was known to cause neck, shoulder and backache and some patients had likened the experience to torture. There is a dearth of research literature in this field on which to base practice. The aim of the study therefore was to (i) understand from the patients' perspective the psychological and social effects of vitreoretinal surgery with specific regard to compliance and prone posturing regimes; (ii) understand they physical effects of posturing as experienced by patients; and (iii) discuss the implications for nursing care. The assumption being made is that better posturing will add to the success of the surgery. Patients (n=25) attending post-operative clinics were asked to self-report on their experiences pre- and post-operatively by letter. Patients were also invited to participate in two focus group interviews where issues raised in the letters were explored further. The data were organised into themes that represented patients' 'pathways' through surgery: 'realising something was wrong', 'going for help', 'being prepared for surgery', 'getting the hang of posturing', 'endless nights' and 'readjustment'. It is concluded that patients needed more support pre and post-operatively to cope with post-operative posturing. Some of the subsequent changes to practice are reporte

Cold disinfestation of Australian mandarins against Queensland fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Three cultivars of mandarins, 'Imperial', 'Ellendale' and 'Murcott' and one tangelo, 'Minneola', were shown to be disinfested of Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) by cold treatment at 1°C for 16 days. From a total of 3885 treated fruit of all cultivars, estimated to contain 176,715 first instars - judged to be the most tolerant in-fruit stage of the pest - there were no survivors. This treatment efficacy meets all known international market requirements

Ethnic variation in fluorescein angiography induced nausea and vomiting

Purpose A prospective survey was undertaken to investigate ethnic variations in the frequency of nausea and vomiting after fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA). Method Between May and September 1998, 197 adult patients were recruited to the study. A questionnaire containing closed-ended questions was completed by nurses after each FFA and a questionnaire was given to patients to complete 5 hours after the procedure at home. Patients' anxiety level was measured before FFA using a 5-item ordinal response scale. Results Results indicate that patients from black, Asian, Chino-Asian and mixed ethnic origins are significantly more likely to vomit and feel nauseous immediately after the administration of fluorescein dye. Patients with a history of nausea after FFA are significantly more likely to feel nauseous again after repeat FFA. Conclusion Ethnic origin and a previous history of nausea and vomiting appear to be important factors in FFA-induced nausea and vomiting. The results of this study have led the investigators to develop a protocol for the prophylactic treatment of nausea and vomiting following FFA

Characteristics of multi-institutional health sciences education research: a systematic review

Objectives: Multi-institutional research increases the generalizability of research findings. However, little is known about characteristics of collaborations across institutions in health sciences education research. Using a systematic review process, the authors describe characteristics of published, peer-reviewed multi-institutional health sciences education research to inform educators who are considering such projects. Methods: Two medical librarians searched MEDLINE, the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), EMBASE, and CINAHL databases for English-language studies published between 2004 and 2013 using keyword terms related to multi-institutional systems and health sciences education. Teams of two authors reviewed each study and resolved coding discrepancies through consensus. Collected data points included funding, research network involvement, author characteristics, learner characteristics, and research methods. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: One hundred eighteen of 310 articles met inclusion criteria. Sixty-three (53%) studies received external and/or internal financial support (87% listed external funding, 37% listed internal funding). Forty-five funded studies involved graduate medical education programs. Twenty (17%) studies involved a research or education network. Eighty-five (89%) publications listed an author with a master’s degree or doctoral degree. Ninety-two (78%) studies were descriptive, whereas 26 studies (22%) were experimental. The reported study outcomes were changes in student attitude (38%; n=44), knowledge (26%; n=31), or skill assessment (23%; n=27), as well as patient outcomes (9%; n=11). Conclusions: Multi-institutional descriptive studies reporting knowledge or attitude outcomes are highly published. Our findings indicate that funding resources are not essential to successfully undertake multi-institutional projects. Funded studies were more likely to originate from graduate medical or nursing programs