Effectiveness of work-related interventions for return to work in people on sick leave: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: Long-term sick leave is a serious concern in developed countries and the cost of sickness absence and disability benefits cause major challenges for both the individual and society as a whole. Despite an increasing body of research reported by existing systematic reviews, there is uncertainty regarding the effect on return to work of workrelated interventions for workers with different diagnoses. The objective of this systematic review was to assess and summarize available research about the effects of work-related interventions for people on long-term sick leave and those at risk of long-term sick leave. Methods: We conducted a systematic review in accordance with international guidelines. Campbell Collabora‑ tion (Area: Social Welfare), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Epistemonikos, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Sociological Abstracts were systematically searched in March 2021. Two authors independently screened the studies. We conducted risk of bias assessments and meta-anal‑ yses of the available evidence in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The remaining comparisons were synthesized narratively. The certainty of evidence for each outcome was assessed. Results: We included 20 RCTs comprising 5753 participants at baseline from 4 different countries. The studies had generally low risk of bias. Our certainty in the effect estimates ranged from very low to moderate. Eight different interventions were identified. Meta-analysis revealed no statistically signifcant difference between multidisciplinary rehabilitation (MR) and usual care (US) (Risk Ratio [RR] 1.01; Confidence Interval [CI] 95% 0.70-1.48 at 12 months fol‑ low-up) and between MR and other active intervention (Risk Ratio [RR] 1.04; Confidence Interval [CI] 95% 0.86-1.25 at 12 months follow-up). Remaining intervention groups revealed marginal, or no effect compared to the control group. The results for the secondary outcomes (self-efficacy, symptom reduction, function, cost-effectiveness) showed varied and small effects in the intervention groups. Conclusion: Overall, the present data showed no conclusive evidence of which work-related intervention is most effective for return to work. However, a handful of potential interventions exist, that may contribute to a foundation for future research. Our findings support the need for adequately powered and methodologically strong studies

Critical analysis of physical therapy groups promoting scientific research in Colombia. A cross sectional study

Objective. To analyze of physical therapy groups promoting scientific research in Colombia. Material and methods. Were individually analyzed all curricula vitae from researchers in the available field in the COLCIENCIAS database of CvLac-database. We also analyzed the statistical reports on scientific production available on the Scienti-website (http://www.colciencias.gov.co/scienti/). Scientific production and level of training was evaluated of 43 curricula during the months of April and May 2012 for the collection of information and this information was analyzed in June 2012. Results. We identified 768 usable records (Biomedical and Health Science). Of the articles included, 942 were original research reports. The number of publications in Colombia grew ten-fold between 1990 and 2010. Between 1990 and 2003, the growth rate was 9% per year, whereas from 2005 and 2008 the rate dropped to about 10% per year. The average number of included articles published per year was 45 with a range from 12 to 187. A nonlinear, bimodal distribution of articles published per year was observed (R2=0.85), with peak publications in 1992 and 2011. There was a significant difference in publication productivity over the 10 years across (P<0.001). Pair-wise comparisons revealed that groups with Master´s degree produced significantly more publications (median=19) than any other category, with the exception of Doctoral degree (median=13). Conclusion. This study provides ample direction for future inquiry regarding the status of curriculum and of scholars in physical therapy. However, this production is still lower than that of other Latin American countries having similar socioeconomic and demographic condition

The Impact of the FIFA 11+Training Program on Injury Prevention in Football Players : A Systematic Review

Peer reviewe

The Impact of the FIFA 11+Training Program on Injury Prevention in Football Players : A Systematic Review

Peer reviewe

Developing a tool to assess the skills to perform a health technology assessment.

BACKGROUND: Health technology assessment (HTA) brings together evidence from various disciplines while using explicit methods to assess the value of health technologies. In resource-constrained settings, there is a growing demand to measure and develop specialist skills, including those for HTA, to aid the implementation of Universal Healthcare Coverage. The purpose of this study was twofold: a) to find validated tools for the assessment of the technical capacity to conduct a HTA, and if none were found, to develop a tool, and b) to describe experiences of its pilot. METHODS: First, a mapping review identified tools to assess the skills to conduct a HTA. A medical librarian conducted a comprehensive search in four databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, ERIC). Then, incorporating results from the mapping and following an iterative process involving stakeholders and experts, we developed a HTA skills assessment tool. Finally, using an online platform to gather and analyse responses, in collaboration with our institutional partner, we piloted the tool in Ghana, and sought feedback on their experiences. RESULTS: The database search yielded 3871 records; fifteen those were selected based on a priori criteria. These records were published between 2003 and 2018, but none covered all technical skills to conduct a HTA. In the absence of an instrument meeting our needs, we developed a HTA skill assessment tool containing four sections (general information, core and soft skills, and future needs). The tool was designed to be administered to a broad range of individuals who would potentially contribute to the planning, delivery and evaluation of HTA. The tool was piloted with twenty-three individuals who completed the skills assessment and shared their initial impressions of the tool. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive tool enabling the assessment of technical skills to conduct a HTA. This tool allows teams to understand where their individual strengths and weakness lie. The tool is in the early validation phases and further testing is needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable

Use of Liverpool Care Pathway at the end of life

Source at https://www.fhi.no/.Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) har blitt fremmet som en tiltaksplan for helhetlig omsorg til døende og deres pårørende i livets siste dager og timer. Vi utførte en hurtigoversikt for å vurdere effekten av LCP på palliativ omsorg til personer i livets sluttfase. Vi inkluderte to nylig publiserte kontrollerte studier som sammenlignet effektene av LCP med standard palliativ omsorg