Clinical Research Oriented Workshop (CROW) Meeting: June 9, 2011

Present: Abby Crocker, Amanda Kennedy, Ben Littenberg, Charlie MacLean, Connie van Eeghen

1. Connie: Review of Cross Case Analysis for Mixed Methods Study

a. Connie reviewed her study question re: improving quality improvement processes in provider office settings, the model that describes the variables of her exploratory study, and a framework to present the findings about those variables from individual case studies in a cross case analysis.

b. Group feedback was broad as well as specific, including:

i. Clarity in column headers

ii. Separation of different kinds of results into different tables

iii. Inclusion of similar results from different methods (qualitative and quantitative) into a single table

iv. Careful explanation of the purpose and limits related to comparative survey results, such as post-project and pre-project comparisons that ask general attitude questions, not specific QI projects questions

v. Consistent use of precision (number of places reported to the right of a decimal)

vi. Reporting changes between two periods as a single number, rather than both the “before” and “after” results.

c. Connie asked for feedback on “deliverables” that will accompany the completion of the dissertation. The group reviewed the alternatives; Connie plans to change her original proposal to include the following draft documents:

i. A journal article on case study #2 (Behavioral Health Integration), written in collaboration with the PI for that project but with her as first author.

ii. An NIH grant to create a procedure for repeating the process used in conducting case study #2 (R03).

iii. A short white paper to health care policy makers in the Vermont legislature about the benefit of using this approach in VT health care reform activities.

d. Many thanks to all; look to see her back soon with results re: case study #2.

2. Next Workshop Meeting(s): Thursday, 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., at Given Courtyard Level 4

a. June 16: Rodger: Metrics for Behavioral Health Integration research; R03 proposal research question

b. June 23: Kairn or Abby: (no Ben at 3:30, no Amanda)

c. June 30: (no Connie)

d. July 7: Connie: Case Study #2

e. Change to new time for our meetings for July and August: Thursday morning 9:30 – 11:00

f. Ben is on vacation July 16 – 30 and out Aug 4; Abby is on vacation August; Amanda is teaching Tues & Thurs 1 – 4 from July 1 – Aug 26

g. Future agenda to consider:

i. Rodger: Mixed methods article; article on Behavior’s Influence on Medical Conditions (unpublished)

ii. Future: Review of different types of journal articles (lit review, case study, original article, letter to editor…), when each is appropriate, tips on planning/writing (Abby)

Recorder: C. van Eeghen