Journal of clinical epidemiology
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Rare diseases may be difficult to study through conventional research methods, but are amenable to study through certain uncommonly used designs. We sought to explain these designs and to provide a framework to assist researchers in identifying the most appropriate design for a given research question. ⋯ These techniques may facilitate research in rare diseases.
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Analyses comparing randomized to nonrandomized clinical trials suffer from the fact that the study populations are usually different. We aimed for a comparison of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and propensity score (PS) analyses in similar populations. ⋯ In our example, treatment effects of off-pump versus on-pump surgery from RCTs and PS analyses were very similar in a "meta-matched" population of studies, indicating that only a small remaining bias is present in PS analyses.
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The evidence base for interventions to change clinical practice is modest but growing. Given the large variation in impact and costs, this review aims to highlight the importance of evaluating knowledge translation (KT) interventions by managers and researchers. ⋯ We suggest that the combined effort of managers and researchers will provide a richer knowledge base to move the field of KT forward and increase the use of evidence-based implementation strategies to improve the quality of health care provided.
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To provide an overview of the science and practice of knowledge translation. ⋯ Review of the evidence base for the science and practice of knowledge translation has identified several gaps including the need to develop valid strategies for assessing the determinants of knowledge use and for evaluating sustainability of knowledge translation interventions.
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Review Comparative Study
Calculating kappas from adjusted data improved the comparability of the reliability of triage systems: a comparative study.
It is difficult to compare the reliability of triage systems with the kappa statistic. In this article, a method for comparing triage systems was developed and applied to previously conducted triage reliability studies. ⋯ When comparing triage systems with different numbers of categories, one should report both the normal and quadratically weighted kappa. Calculating normal kappas from previously conducted triage reliability studies revealed substantial theoretical differences in interrater reliability of triage systems than previously reported.