Articles: outcome-assessment-health-care.
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J. Med. Internet Res. · Jan 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialThe Sexunzipped trial: young people's views of participating in an online randomized controlled trial.
Incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people in the United Kingdom is increasing. The Internet can be a suitable medium for delivery of sexual health information and sexual health promotion, given its high usage among young people, its potential for creating a sense of anonymity, and ease of access. Online randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are increasingly being used to evaluate online interventions, but while there are many advantages to online methodologies, they can be associated with a number of problems, including poor engagement with online interventions, poor trial retention, and concerns about the validity of data collected through self-report online. We conducted an online feasibility trial that tested the effects of the Sexunzipped website for sexual health compared to an information-only website. This study reports on a qualitative evaluation of the trial procedures, describing participants' experiences and views of the Sexunzipped online trial including methods of recruitment, incentives, methods of contact, and sexual health outcome measurement. ⋯ These findings provide strong support for the use of online research methods for sexual health research, emphasizing the importance of careful planning and execution of all trial procedures including recruitment, respondent validation, trial related communication, and methods to maximize follow-up. Our findings suggest that sexual health outcome measurement might encourage reflection on current behavior, sometimes leading to behavior change.
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Psychother Psychosom · Jan 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialMindfulness-based cognitive therapy for patients with medically unexplained symptoms: a randomized controlled trial.
Patients with medically unexplained symptoms make heavy demands on the health care system. An offer for psychological treatment is often declined. There is a need for acceptable and effective treatments. We assessed the acceptability and effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for patients with persistent medically unexplained symptoms. ⋯ MBCT was feasible for frequently attending patients with persistent medically unexplained symptoms in primary care. Although MBCT did not lead to a significant difference in general health status between the two groups, it did result in a significant improvement in mental functioning.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Perinatal outcome in sickle cell anemia: a prospective study from India.
Sickle cell anemia, the homozygous genotype of sickle cell disease is one of the most common heritable diseases in the world. The Arab-Asian haplotype present in India is one of the least severe of all haplotypes. Many sickle cell anemia patients are now leading a symptom-free productive life due to hydroxyurea (HU) and better supportive care. ⋯ Cesarian section rate was not significantly different from normal controls. Successful pregnancies were achieved in 84.44% of cases. However, we strongly recommend that pregnancies in these patients should be managed in an institutional setup.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Outcomes of follow-up visits to chronic nonmalignant pain patients.
Follow-up visits by clinical nurse specialists are beneficial for patients with various chronic conditions. It is unknown whether patients with chronic nonmalignant pain can achieve similar benefit. The aim of this study was to assess outcomes of follow-up visits by clinical nurse specialists to chronic nonmalignant pain patients regarding health-related quality of life (HRQoL), pain, opioid treatment, quality of sleep, and depression. ⋯ Follow-up visits by clinical nurse specialists appeared to offer positive benefits to patients with chronic nonmalignant pain after discharge from multidisciplinary pain treatment. The intervention improved physical functioning, reduced bodily pain and pain intensity and prevented opioid dosage increase. Most episodes of depression were identified and referred to relevant treatment.
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Australas Emerg Nurs J · Nov 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialEvaluating the quality of care delivered by an emergency department fast track unit with both nurse practitioners and doctors.
This paper is a report of a study of quality of care delivered by an emergency department fast track unit where both doctors and an emergency nurse practitioner treated patients. ⋯ Patients received high quality of care in this fast track unit where both nurse practitioner and doctors treated patients. Emergency nurse practitioners were associated with higher patient satisfaction.