Study design, precision, and validity in observational studies
Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Palliative Care; Cohort Studies; Observation; Research Design; Validation Studies as Topic; Longitudinal Studies; Study Design
2009
Carlson MDA; Morrison RS
Journal Of Palliative Medicine
2009
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
Journal Article
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2008.9690" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">10.1089/jpm.2008.9690</a>
Performance measurement and improvement frameworks in health, education and social services systems: a systematic review
Validation Studies as Topic; Outcomes; Validation Studies
PURPOSE: To perform a systematic review, supplemented by a targeted grey literature scan, for performance measurement and improvement frameworks within and across the health, education and social service systems. The intended outcome was the creation of a foundation of evidence to inform the development of cross-sectoral quality improvement frameworks. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ERIC, EMBASE, Social Services Abstracts, Social Work Abstracts and Education Index Full Text were searched up to April/May 2007. In addition, 26 governmental and 27 organizational websites were searched. STUDY SELECTION: English language material with a publication date of 1986 or more recent that described a health, education or social services multidimensional framework for performance measurement and improvement. Data extraction The framework name; administrative sector; level of application; setting; population of interest; categories of quality described within the framework; country of application; and citations to other performance measurement and improvement frameworks were extracted from each article. RESULTS: In total, 111 frameworks were identified. Most frameworks (n = 97) were developed in or for the health sector. A concept sorting exercise identified 16 quality concepts applicable across many settings, sectors and levels of application. CONCLUSION: This systematic review of quality domains will be relevant and useful to those who are developing and using performance measurement and improvement frameworks for adult and child populations within or across the health, social service or education sectors.
2010
Klassen A; Miller A; Anderson N; Shen J; Schiariti V; O'Donnell ME
International Journal For Quality In Health Care
2010
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
Journal Article
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzp057" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">10.1093/intqhc/mzp057</a>
A palliative prognostic score for terminally ill children and adolescents with cancer
Validation Studies as Topic; Validation Studies
The loss of a child is considered the hardest moment in a parent's life. Studies addressing length of survival under pediatric palliative care are rare. The aim of this study was to improve a survival prediction model for children in palliative care, as accurate information positively impacts parent and child preparation for palliative care.Sixty-five children referred to a pediatric palliative care team were followed from August 2003 until December 2006. Variables investigated (also included in previous studies) were: diagnosis, home care provider, presence of anemia, and performance status score given by the home care provider. Clinical variables such as symptom number were also used to test the score's ability to predict survival.The length of survival prognostic score was validated using the above variables. The number of symptoms at transition to palliative care does not improve the score's predictive ability. The sum of the single scores gives an overall score for each patient, dividing the population into three groups by probability of 60-day survival: Group A 80.0%, Group B 38.0%, and Group C 28.5% (P < 0.001).A pediatric palliative care score based on easily accessible variables is statistically significant in multivariate analysis. Factors that increase accuracy of life expectancy prediction enable adequate information to be given to patients and families, contributing to therapeutic decision-making issues. Pediatr Blood Cancer © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
2010
Kurashima AY; de Oliveira Latorre Maria do Rosario Dias; Camargo Beatriz de
Pediatric Blood & Cancer
2010
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
Journal Article
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.22644" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">10.1002/pbc.22644</a>
Evaluating correlation and interrater reliability for four performance scales in the palliative care setting
Validation Studies as Topic; Validation Studies
Performance scales are used by clinicians to objectively represent a patient's level of function and have been shown to be important predictors of response to therapy and survival. Four different scales are commonly used in the palliative care setting, two of which were specifically developed to more accurately represent this population. It remains unclear which scale is best suited for this setting. The objectives of this study were to determine the correlations among the four scales and concurrently compare interrater reliability for each. Patients were each assessed at the same point in time by three different health care professionals, and all four scales were used to rate each patient. Spearman correlation coefficient values and both weighted and unweighted kappa values were calculated to determine correlation and interrater reliability. The results confirmed highly significant linear correlation among and between all four scales. Whether using a reliability measure that incorporates the concept of "partial credit" for "near misses" or a measure reflecting exact rater agreement, no one scale emerged as having a significantly higher likelihood of agreement among raters. We propose that what may be more important than clinical experience or rater profession is the level of training an individual health care professional rater receives on the administration of any particular performance scale. In addition, given that low levels of exact rater agreement could have substantial clinical implications for patients, we suggest that this parameter be considered in the design of future comparative studies.
2010
Myers J; Gardiner K; Harris K; Lilien T; Bennett M; Chow E; Selby D; Zhang L
Journal Of Pain And Symptom Management
2010
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
Journal Article
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2009.06.013" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2009.06.013</a>