Clinical Research Oriented Workshop (CROW) Meeting: February 9, 2012

Present: Abby Crocker, Kairn Kelley, Amanda Kennedy, Ben Littenberg, Connie van Eeghen

1. Start Up: The presentation was also conducted on “Adobe Connect,” the UNC distance learning platform, which Kairn signed onto. It worked.

2. Presentation: “Improving the Quality of Quality Improvement in Health Care: Case Studies of Provider Office Practices in the Use of Office Systems Analysis within a Quality Improvement Project

a. Connie provided a mock-dissertation defense presentation on her topic, which produced many helpful pieces of advice. Key items:

b. A mixed method study needs a balanced presentation of quantitative and qualitative results; too heavy on quantitative

c. Structure of presentation was reviewed: more in Background; less in detailed explanations about study. Support work through literature and own experiences.

d. Use examples to walk through slides.

e. Quantitative results should include information about distribution of data (e.g. IQR); scales should be “anchored” to give relevance to the audience. When there’s not much to say about a slide, a simple “there were no changes” is enough.

f. The presentation took 40 minutes and will need a haircut – thank you all for helping prepare the defendant!

3. Workshop Goals for 2012:

a. Journal club: identify UVM guests and articles; invite to CROW ahead of time

b. Research updates: share work-in-process

4. Next Workshop Meeting(s): Thursday, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., at Given Courtyard Level 4.

a. Feb 16: Abby: feedback from lit review – new edited version (no Connie)

b. Feb 23: Kairn: lit review update (no Amanda or Connie)

c. Mar 1: (no Connie, ? Kairn)

d. Mar 8: Early start, for those available, 11:00 – 2:00, Connie’s dissertation defense

e. Mar 15: (no Ben, Connie)

f. Future agenda to consider:

i. Ben: budgeting exercise for grant applications

ii. Rodger: Mixed methods article; article on Behavior’s Influence on Medical Conditions (unpublished); drug company funding. Also: discuss design for PCBH clinical and cost research.

iii. Amanda: presentation and interpretation of data in articles

iv. Sharon Henry: article by Cleland, Thoracic Spine Manipulation, Physical Therapy 2007

v. 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