Avaliação e processos de subjetivação na atenção básica à saúde: avaliação e subjetivação / La evaluación y los procesos de subjetivación en la atención primaria de salud: evaluación y subjetivación / Evaluation and processes of subjectivation at the primary health care: evaluation and subjectivation

RESUMO Desde a redemocratização no Brasil, o tema da subjetividade tem sido um componente importante na discussão e na formulação das políticas públicas no país. Existe um grande embate na literatura em torno dos méritos e dos prejuízos decorrentes dos processos de avaliação. O objetivo desta pesquisa é investigar os efeitos das práticas avaliativas nos processos de subjetivação vividos por profissionais das equipes de Saúde da Família na Atenção Básica, em um distrito sanitário do município de Belo Horizonte. Buscamos também compreender os efeitos da avaliação na subjetividade dos profissionais envolvidos. Realizamos 16 entrevistas semiestruturadas com os profissionais e gestores de duas Unidades Básicas de Saúde. Fizemos uma análise temática das entrevistas em três eixos: os ganhos desencadeados pelas práticas de avaliação, os seus aspectos problemáticos e os processos de subjetivação decorrentes das avaliações. Os ganhos que as avaliações permitiram foram: detectar as falhas no trabalho e redirecionar as atividades; melhorar o atendimento à população e modificar o comportamento com os colegas e em relação ao trabalho. As críticas se direcionaram aos indicadores dos instrumentos, aos processos de avaliação, à dificuldade de colocar em prática os resultados obtidos e ao não cumprimento dos acordos por parte dos gestores municipais. Os processos de subjetivação promovidos pelas avaliações foram por um lado a reflexão em relação ao trabalho e aos colegas, produzindo mudanças de atitudes, e por outro os sentimentos de medo, culpa e frustração em relação ao processo de avaliação, seus resultados e consequências.

RESUMEN Hay un embate en la literatura en torno a los méritos y los perjuicios derivados de los procesos de evaluación. Esta pesquisa investiga los efectos de las prácticas evaluativas en los procesos de subjetivación vividos por los profesionales de los Equipos de Salud de la Familia en la Atención Básica, en un distrito sanitario del municipio de Belo Horizonte. También buscamos comprender los efectos de la evaluación sobre la subjetividad de los profesionales involucrados. Realizamos 16 entrevistas semiestructuradas con los profesionales y gestores de dos Unidades Básicas de Salud. Hicimos un análisis temático de las entrevistas en tres ejes: las ganancias desencadenadas por las prácticas de evaluación, sus aspectos problemáticos y los procesos de subjetivación derivados de las evaluaciones. Las ganancias fueron: detectar los fallos en el trabajo y reorientar las actividades; mejorar la atención a la población y modificar el comportamiento con los colegas y con relación al trabajo. Las críticas se dirigieron a los indicadores de los instrumentos, a los procesos de evaluación, a la dificultad de poner en práctica los resultados obtenidos y al incumplimiento de los acuerdos por parte de los gestores municipales. Los procesos de subjetivación promovidos por las evaluaciones fueron, por un lado, la reflexión con relación al trabajo y a los colegas, lo que produjo cambios de actitudes, y, por otro lado, los sentimientos de miedo, culpa y frustración con relación al proceso de evaluación, sus resultados y consecuencias.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the effects of evaluation practices in the processes of subjectivation experienced by professionals from Family Health Teams in Primary Health Care, in a health district in the municipality of Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais. We also sought to understand the effects of evaluation on the subjectivity of the professionals involved. We conducted 16 semi-structured interviews with professionals and managers of two Basic Health Units. A thematic analysis of the interviews was carried out in three axes: the gains triggered by the evaluation practices, their problematic aspects and the subjectivation processes resulting from the assessments. The gains that the evaluations allowed were: detecting work failures and redirecting activities; improve service to the population and change behavior with coworkers and in relation to work. Criticism was directed towards the instruments' indicators, the evaluation processes, the difficulty of putting into practice the results obtained and the non-compliance with the agreements by the municipal managers. The subjectivation processes promoted by the evaluations were, on the one hand, the self-reflection in relation to work and coworkers, producing changes in attitudes, and, on the other, the feelings of fear, guilt and frustration regarding evaluation process, its results and consequences.

Evaluating complex interventions in real context: Logic analysis of a case management program for frequent users of healthcare services.

Case management programs for frequent users of healthcare services are complex interventions which implementation and application are challenging to evaluate. The aim of this article was to conduct a logic analysis to evaluate a case management program for frequent users of healthcare services. The study proceeded in three phases: 1) establishing causal links between the program's components by the construction of a logic model, 2) developing an integrated framework from a realistic synthesis, and 3) making a new reading of the case management program in regard of the integrated framework. The study demonstrated, on one hand, strengths and weaknesses of the actual case management program, and, on the other hand, how logic analysis can create a constructive dialogue between theory and practice. The evaluative process with decision-makers, clinicians and patients has helped to make connexions between theory, practice, experience and services organization.

The Client Capital in Nursing Management in Hospitals / El capital del cliente en la Gestión de Enfermería en Hospitales / O Capital do Cliente na Gestão de Enfermagem em Hospitais

Abstract Objective: To analyze how the components of the client's capital are used in the management of nursing in hospitals. Method: A qualitative research carried out in five public hospitals, four private hospitals and three philanthropic hospitals in the period from October 2014 to May 2015. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview with twelve nursing managers and analyzed according to content analysis. Results: The components of the Client's Capital were used by the nurses when performing the management of the client service to promote changes and improve the service after evaluating the satisfaction of the nursing care through active systematic search, with its own evaluation tools and the ombudsman's information and in the interaction with suppliers of materials, equipment and services. Conclusion and implications for practice: The managers use managerial actions for the development of the client's capital of organizations. In order to improve them, they must evaluate the nursing care in a continuous and strategic process to satisfy the clients, throughout their trajectory in the organization, since clients are permanent sources of innovation that affect professional and organizational development and productivity.

Resumen Objetivo: Analizar cómo se utilizan los componentes de capital del cliente en la gestión de enfermería hospitalaria. Método: Investigación cualitativa, realizada en cuatro hospitales privados, cinco hospitales públicos y tres hospitales filantrópicos, de octubre de 2014 a mayo de 2015. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de entrevista semiestructurada con 12 gestoras de enfermería y analizados según el análisis de contenido. Resultados: Los componentes del Capital del Cliente fueron utilizados por las enfermeras al realizar la gestión de la atención al cliente para promover cambios y mejorar el servicio después de realizar la evaluación de la satisfacción de la atención de enfermería a través de búsqueda activa, sistemática, con instrumentos de evaluación propios e informaciones de la Oidoría y en la interacción con proveedores de materiales, equipos y servicios. Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica: Las gestoras utilizan acciones gerenciales para el desarrollo del capital del cliente de las organizaciones. Para perfeccionarlas, deben evaluar la atención de enfermería en proceso continuo y estratégico para satisfacer a los clientes durante toda su trayectoria en la organización, una vez que los clientes son fuentes permanentes de innovación que generan impacto en el desarrollo y productividad profesional y organizacional.

Resumo Objetivo: Analisar como os componentes do capital do cliente são utilizados na gestão da enfermagem em hospitais. Método: Pesquisa qualitativa, realizada em quatro hospitais privados, cinco hospitais públicos e três hospitais filantrópicos, de outubro de 2014 a maio de 2015. Os dados foram coletados através de entrevista semiestruturada com 12 gestoras de enfermagem e analisados segundo a análise de conteúdo. Resultados: Os componentes do Capital do Cliente foram utilizados pelas enfermeiras ao realizar a gestão do atendimento ao cliente para promover mudanças e aprimorar o serviço após realizar a avaliação da satisfação do atendimento de enfermagem através de busca ativa, sistemática, com instrumentos de avaliação próprios e informações da Ouvidoria e na interação com fornecedores de materiais, equipamentos e serviços. Conclusão e implicação para a prática: As gestoras utilizam ações gerenciais para o desenvolvimento do capital do cliente das organizações. Para aperfeiçoá-las, devem avaliar o atendimento de enfermagem em processo contínuo e estratégico para satisfazer os clientes, durante toda a sua trajetória na organização, uma vez que clientes são fontes permanentes de inovação que geram impacto no desenvolvimento e produtividade profissional e organizacional.

Process-evaluation and outcome-evaluation of a training programme for healthcare professionals in oncology to enhance their competencies in caring for patients with minor children: a study protocol for a randomised controlled pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with cancer having minor children experience particular burden and strains. Being patient and parent at the same time is associated with specific needs of support. Therefore, the communication of child-related and family-related issues plays an important role in patient care. This study aims at testing the feasibility of a training to improve the situation of patients with cancer having minor children and their families by enhancing the competencies of healthcare professionals (HCPs, eg, physicians, nurses, psychologists) in caring for patients with cancer having minor children. Moreover, the study aims at testing the study design and outcomes of the evaluation concept and preliminary effects of the training. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a randomised controlled pilot trial with three arms (face-to-face training versus web-based training versus waitlist control group) to investigate the study aims. Primary outcome will be the competency to approach child-related and family-related topics in patients with cancer measured using comprehensive case vignettes. Secondary outcomes will be communication and attitudes regarding child-related and family-related topics and self-efficacy in clinical communication skills. Outcomes will be assessed prior to the training and after the training as well as 3 months after the training. Data will be analysed using descriptive analyses, group comparisons and linear mixed models. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the Local Psychological Ethics Committee of the Center for Psychosocial Medicine of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (LPEK-001). At the end of the study, a web-based training and a face-to-face training intervention to enhance the competencies of HCPs in caring for patients with cancer having minor children will have been systematically developed and the study design and evaluation concept will have been evaluated. The results of the study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: DRKS00015794.

The Children and Young People's Health Partnership Evelina London Model of Care: process evaluation protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Children and young people (CYP) in the UK have poor health outcomes, and there is increasing emergency department and hospital outpatient use. To address these problems in Lambeth and Southwark (two boroughs of London, UK), the local Clinical Commissioning Groups, Local Authorities and Healthcare Providers formed The Children and Young People's Health Partnership (CYPHP), a clinical-academic programme for improving child health. The Partnership has developed the CYPHP Evelina London model, an integrated healthcare model that aims to deliver effective, coordinated care in primary and community settings and promote better self-management to over approximately 90 000 CYP in Lambeth and Southwark. This protocol is for the process evaluation of this model of care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Alongside an impact evaluation, an in-depth, mixed-methods process evaluation will be used to understand the barriers and facilitators to implementing the model of care. The data collected mapped onto a logic model of how CYPHP is expected to improve child health outcomes. Data collection and analysis include qualitative interviews and focus groups with stakeholders, a policy review and a quantitative analysis of routine clinical and administrative data and questionnaire data. Information relating to the context of the trial that may affect implementation and/or outcomes of the CYPHP model of care will be documented. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been reviewed by NHS REC Cornwall & Plymouth (17/SW/0275). The findings of this process evaluation will guide the scaling up and implementation of the CYPHP Evelina London Model of Care across the UK. Findings will be disseminated through publications and conferences, and implementation manuals and guidance for others working to improve child health through strengthening health systems. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03461848.

Implementing an allied health team intervention to improve the care of older adults in the emergency department: protocol for a process evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: Health and social care professionals (HSCPs) have increasingly contributed to enhance the care of patients in emergency departments (EDs), particularly for older adults who are frequent ED attendees with significant adverse outcomes. For the first time, the effectiveness of a HSCP team intervention for older adults in the ED has been tested in a large randomised controlled trial (Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03739515), providing an opportunity to explore the implementation process for this type of intervention. This protocol describes a process evaluation that will to investigate the implementation, delivery and impact of an HSCP team intervention in the ED. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Using the Medical Research Council Framework for process evaluations, we will employ a mixed-methods approach to provide a description of the process of implementation and delivery of the HSCP intervention in the ED, evaluate its fidelity, dose and reach and explore the perceptions of key staff members in relations to the mechanisms and contexts of impact at the levels of individuals, physical environment, operations, communication and the broader hospital and healthcare system. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval for this study was received from the HSE Mid-Western Regional Hospital Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 103/18). All participants will be invited to read and sign a written consent form prior to participation. The results of this review will be disseminated through publication in a peer-review journal and presented at relevant conferences.

Time-driven activity-based costing of total knee replacements in Karachi, Pakistan.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoarthritis of the knee has been identified as the most common disability in Pakistan. Total knee replacement (TKR) surgery is the curative treatment for advanced osteoarthritis of the knee; however, cost remains one of the barriers to effective and timely service delivery. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) analysis of TKR to identify major cost drivers and areas for process improvement. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We performed a prospective TDABC analysis of patients who underwent bilateral TKR at The Indus Hospital (TIH) during a 14-month period from October 2015 to December 2016. Detailed process maps were developed for each phase of the care cycle. Time durations and costs were allocated to each resource utilised and aggregated across the care cycle, including personnel, direct and indirect costs. RESULTS: We identified seven care phases for a complete TKR care cycle and created their detailed process maps. Major time contributors were ward stay and discharge (20 160 min), TKR surgery (563 min) and surgical admission (333 min). Overall, 92.10% of time is spent during the ward stay and discharge phase of care. Patients remain hospitalised for an average of 14 days postoperatively. Overall institutional cost of a TKR at TIH was US$4360.51 (Pakistani rupees 456 981.17) per bilateral TKR surgery. The overall primary cost drivers for the full bundle of care were consumables used during TKR surgery itself, consumables utilised in the wards and personnel costs contributing 57.64%, 27.45% and 12.03% of total costs, respectively. CONCLUSION: Utilising TDABC allowed us to obtain a granular analysis of time and cost that was subsequently used to inform quality process improvement initiatives. In low-resource settings, such as Pakistan, TDABC has the potential to be a useful tool to guide resource allocation and process improvement.

Implementation of a General Pediatric Clinical Rounding Checklist.

BACKGROUND: Checklists have been found to improve patient outcomes in a variety of health care settings, but use is rare during general pediatric rounds. We aimed to decrease length of stay (LOS) by 10% within 12 months through the standardized delivery of 8 aspects of hospital care for the general pediatric unit. METHODS: For the general pediatrics unit at our freestanding children's hospital, a clinical rounding checklist was developed through a consensus of teaching faculty. Iterative plan-do-study-act cycles were conducted in a targeted medical unit over a 12-month period. We assessed change using control charts. RESULTS: Checklist use increased from 61% to 96% early in the implementation phase. LOS (72 hours) was relatively unchanged. Cardiorespiratory monitor (CRM) duration was reduced by 28% (17.3 hours) within 4 months and was sustained for more than 12 months. A similar CRM reduction of 29% (22.5 hours) was seen in our medically complex patient subgroup. No clinically significant change was appreciated in central line, peripheral intravenous (IV) catheter, IV fluid, or IV medication duration. Thirty-day readmissions, code blue events, and rapid response team activations were not impacted. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a clinical rounding checklist on the general pediatric floor improved care in only 1 of 8 targeted domains. LOS did not change significantly over the project's duration. CRM duration was significantly reduced in both routine patients and medically complex children, and these improvements were sustained without impacting patient safety. More study is needed to determine which checklist components, if any, may prove beneficial to patient outcomes.

Time-driven activity-based costing to model the utility of parallel induction redesign in high-turnover operating lists.

BACKGROUND: Value-based healthcare is strongly advocated to reduce the spiralling rise in healthcare expenditure. Operating room efficiency is an important focus of value-based healthcare delivery due to high costs and associated hospital revenue derived from procedural streams of care. A parallel induction design, utilising induction rooms for anesthetising patients, may improve operating room efficiency and optimise revenue. We used time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) to model personnel costs for a high-turnover operating list to assess value of parallel induction redesign. METHODS: We prospectively captured activity data from high-turnover surgery allocated to induction of anesthesia within the operating room (serial design) or within induction rooms prior to completion of preceding surgery (parallel design). Personnel costs were constructed using TDABC following assignment of a case-mix that integrated our activity data. This was contrasted against procedural revenue to assess value of projected case throughput. RESULTS: Under a parallel induction design, projected operating list duration was reduced by 55 min at marginal increase (1.6%) in personnel costs as assessed by TDABC. This could facilitate an additional short duration surgical case (e.g. Wide Local Excision, with potential additional revenue of $2818 per day and $0.73 M per annum per operating room. CONCLUSIONS: Parallel induction design reduces non-operative time at minimal increase in personnel costs for all-day, high turnover surgery. An additional short duration surgical case is likely feasible under this model and represents a value investment with minimal requirement for additional personnel resources. IMPLICATIONS: A parallel induction design, within the constraints of finite healthcare funding, may help alleviate some of the global increase in demand for surgical capacity that accompanies an expanding and aging population.

Tales from the Trips: A Qualitative Study of Timely Recognition, Treatment, and Transfer of Emergency Department Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acute Ischemic stroke (AIS) is a time-sensitive emergency and patients frequently present to, and are transferred from emergency departments (EDs). We sought to evaluate potential factors, particularly organizational, that may influence the timeliness of interfacility transfer for ED patients with AIS. METHODS: We conducted semistructured interviews at 3 EDs that routinely transfer AIS patients. A structured interview guide was developed and piloted prior to use. Staff were asked about perceived facilitators and barriers to timely and high quality emergency care for patients with AIS who require transfer. Each interview was audio recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using an iterative inductive-deductive approach to build a list of themes and subthemes, and identify supporting quotes. RESULTS: We interviewed 45 ED staff (administrative staff, nurses, and physicians) involved in acute stroke care. We identified 4 major themes influencing the execution of interfacility transfers of AIS patients: (1) processes, (2) historical experiences; (3) communication; and (4) resources. Pre-existing protocols that standardized processes (eg, autoacceptance protocols) and reduced unnecessary communication, combined with direct communication with the neurology team at the comprehensive stroke center, and the flexibility and availability of human and physical resources (eg, staff and equipment) were commonly cited as facilitators. Lack of communication of clinical and operational outcomes back to transferring ED staff was viewed as a lost opportunity for process improvement, interorganization relationship building, and professional satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: ED staff view the interfacility transfer of AIS patients as highly complex with multiple opportunities for delay. Coordination through the use of protocols and communication pre- and post-transfer represented opportunities to facilitate transfers. Staff and clinicians at transferring facilities identified multiple opportunities to enhance existing processes and ongoing communication quality among facilities involved in the acute management of patients with AIS.

Process evaluation of the effects of patient safety auditing in hospital care (part 2).

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that explain the observed effects of internal auditing on improving patient safety. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A process evaluation study within eight departments of a university medical centre in the Netherlands. INTERVENTION(S): Internal auditing and feedback for improving patient safety in hospital care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Experiences with patient safety auditing, percentage implemented improvement actions tailored to the audit results and perceived factors that hindered or facilitated the implementation of improvement actions. RESULTS: The respondents had positive audit experiences, with the exception of the amount of preparatory work by departments. Fifteen months after the audit visit, 21% of the intended improvement actions based on the audit results were completely implemented. Factors that hindered implementation were short implementation time: 9 months (range 5-11 months) instead of the 15 months' planned implementation time; time-consuming and labour-intensive implementation of improvement actions; and limited organizational support for quality improvement (e.g. insufficient staff capacity and time, no available quality improvement data and information and communication technological (ICT) support). CONCLUSIONS: A well-constructed analysis and feedback of patient safety problems is insufficient to reduce the occurrence of poor patient safety outcomes. Without focus and support in the implementation of audit-based improvement actions, quality improvement by patient safety auditing will remain limited.

Facilitators and barriers to using neurological outcome measures in developed and developing countries.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and compare factors influencing the use of standardized outcome measures by neurological physical therapists working in representative developed (Canada) and developing (India) countries. METHODS: A self-administered web-based questionnaire on facilitators and barriers to using neurological outcome measures was sent by email to neurological physical therapists in Canada and India. Frequencies of responses to each question were computed. Differences between countries were assessed using two-proportion z test. RESULTS: Of 317 respondents, the use of standardized outcome measures was higher for Indian (96.7%) compared with Canadian physical therapists (89.2%). Among the most highly reported facilitators, three were common for both countries (known validity and reliability, outcome measures learned in professional training, and recommended in clinical practice guidelines). Three highly reported barriers were also common for India and Canada (lack of time, relying on judgement for clinical decisions, and unavailability of the assessment tools). Nevertheless, there were differences in the percentages of barriers and facilitators between countries. CONCLUSION: Understanding the factors influencing the uptake of outcome measures among neurological physical therapists working in a developed (Canada) and a developing country (India) can help identify whether strategies should or should not be modified to facilitate knowledge translation in different geographical, professional, or social contexts.

Validity of the Model for Assessment of Telemedicine: A Delphi study.

Introduction In 2009, the Model for Assessment of Telemedicine (MAST) was developed within the MethoTelemed project as a framework for description of the effectiveness of telemedicine applications. The goal was for the assessments to be used as basis for decision-making in healthcare systems. Since then, MAST has been used in many European telemedicine studies and is now the most widely used model for assessment of telemedicine. The aim of this study was to assess the face validity of MAST. Methods A modified Delphi process was carried out and included a workshop with a sample of healthcare decision makers. A total of 56 decision makers and experts in telemedicine were invited and 19 persons participated in the two Delphi rounds. Thirteen hospitals or regional health authorities from 12 European countries and six research organisations were represented in the final sample. The participants were asked to assess the importance of the different domains and topics in MAST on a 0-3 Likert scale. Results All respondents completed the two rounds. Based on the answers, the face validity of all MAST domains was confirmed, since all domains were considered moderately or highly important by more than 80% of the respondents. Discussion Even though the study confirmed the validity of MAST, a number of supplements and improvements regarding study design and data collection were suggested. When considering the results it should be noticed that the sample size was small and larger studies are needed to confirm the results.

Social inequality and barriers to cardiac rehabilitation in the rehab-North register.

AIM: Barriers to participation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) may occur at three levels of the referral process (lack of information, declining to participate, and referral to appropriate CR programme). The aim is to analyse the impact of socioeconomic status on barriers to CR and investigate whether such barriers influenced the choice of referral. METHODS: The Rehab-North Register, a cross-sectional study, enrolled 5455 patients hospitalised at Aalborg University Hospital with myocardial infarction (MI) during 2011-2014. Patients hospitalised with ST-elevated MI and complicated non-ST-elevated MI were to be sent to specialized CR, whereas patients with uncomplicated non-ST-elevated MI and unstable angina pectoris were to be sent to community-based CR. Detailed selected socioeconomic information was gathered from statistical registries in Statistics Denmark. Data was assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Patients being retired, low educated, and/or with an annual gross income <27.000 Euro/yr were significantly less informed about cardiac rehabilitation programmes. Patients being older than 70 years, retired, low educated and/or with an annual gross income <27.000 Euro were significantly less willing to participate in CR. Further, this patient population were to a higher extent referred to community-based CR. CONCLUSION: Patients with low socioeconomic status received less information about and were less willing to participate in cardiac rehabilitation. The same patient population was to a higher extent referred to community-based CR. Knowledge about barriers at different levels and the impact of social inequality may help in tailoring a better approach in the referral process to CR.

The Role of the Pulmonary Embolism Response Team: How to Build One, Who to Include, Scenarios, Organization, and Algorithms.

Pulmonary embolism response teams (PERTs) are multidisciplinary response teams aimed at delivering a range of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities to patients with pulmonary embolism. These teams have gained traction on a national scale. However, despite sharing a common goal, individual PERT programs are quite individualized-varying in their methods of operation, team structures, and practice patterns. The tendency of such response teams is to become intensely structured, algorithmic, and inflexible. However, in their current form, PERT programs are quite the opposite. They are being creatively customized to meet the needs of the individual institution based on available resources, skills, personnel, and institutional goals. After a review of the essential core elements needed to create and operate a PERT team in any form, this article will discuss the more flexible feature development of the nascent PERT team. These include team planning, member composition, operational structure, benchmarking, market analysis, and rudimentary financial operations.

Moving Forward Through Consensus: A Modified Delphi Approach to Determine the Top Research Priorities in Orthopaedic Oncology.

BACKGROUND: Several challenges presently impede the conduct of prospective clinical studies in orthopaedic oncology, including limited financial resources to support their associated costs and inadequate patient volume at most single institutions. This study was conducted to prioritize research questions within the field so that the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS), and other relevant professional societies, can direct the limited human and fiscal resources available to address the priorities that the stakeholders involved believe will have the most meaningful impact on orthopaedic oncology patient care. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The purpose of this study was to use a formal consensus-based approach involving clinician-scientists and other stakeholders to identify the top priority research questions for future international prospective clinical studies in orthopaedic oncology. METHODS: A three-step modified Delphi process involving multiple stakeholder groups (including orthopaedic oncologists, research personnel, funding agency representation, and patient representation) was conducted. First, we sent an electronic questionnaire to all participants to solicit clinically relevant research questions (61 participants; 54% of the original 114 individuals invited to participate returned the questionnaires). Then, participants rated the candidate research questions using a 5-point Likert scale for five criteria (60 participants; 53% of the original group participated in this portion of the process). Research questions that met a priori consensus thresholds progressed for consideration to an in-person consensus meeting, which was attended by 44 participants (39% of the original group; 12 countries were represented at this meeting). After the consensus panel's discussion, members individually assigned scores to each question using a 9-point Likert scale. Research questions that met preset criteria advanced to final ranking, and panel members individually ranked their top three priority research questions, resulting in a final overall ranking of research priorities. RESULTS: A total of 73 candidate research questions advanced to the consensus meeting. In the end, the consensus panel identified four research priorities: (1) Does less intensive surveillance of patients with sarcoma affect survival? (2) What are the survival outcomes over time for orthopaedic oncology implants? (3) Does resection versus stabilization improve oncologic and functional outcomes in oligometastatic bone disease? (4) What is the natural history of untreated fibromatosis? CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study will assist in developing a long-term research strategy for the MSTS and, possibly, the orthopaedic oncology field as a whole. Furthermore, the results of this study can assist researchers in guiding their research efforts and in providing a justified rationale to funding agencies when requesting the resources necessary to support future collaborative research studies that address the identified orthopaedic oncology priorities.

Variation in Organization of Transient Ischemic Attack Care in The Netherlands. A Nationwide Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown the importance of urgent initiation of antiplatelet therapy after transient ischemic attack (TIA) to reduce the risk of stroke. Many hospitals in the Netherlands have therefore implemented rapid pathways for assessment of patients with TIA. Dutch stroke guidelines lack clear directives for organization of TIA assessment and thus allow for variation. The aim of this study was to investigate variation in organization of TIA assessment in Dutch hospitals. METHODS: One neurologist per hospital (of 88 Dutch hospitals) with special interest in stroke was invited to participate in a web-based survey addressing the organization, content, and timing of TIA assessment. RESULTS: Seventy (80%) neurologists completed the survey, all of whom reported performing TIA assessment in their hospital. There was considerable variation in the method of application and the location of assessment. In 10% of the hospitals, patients with TIA are always admitted to the ward. The content of diagnostics is fairly similar, but hospitals vary in the extent of cardiological workup. Almost all hospitals aim for a swift start of assessment as directed by guidelines, but access time differs. Eighty-six percent of respondents reported that antiplatelet therapy is usually initiated before assessment, based on history. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed variation in organization of TIA assessment in Dutch hospitals, especially regarding location within the hospital, time to assessment after announcement, and cardiological workup. Further research is needed to investigate implications of this variation for quality of care.