Clinical Research Oriented Workshop (CROW) Meeting: January 26, 2012

Present: Abby Crocker, Kairn Kelley, Rodger Kessler, Ben Littenberg, Charlie MacLean

1. Start Up: Follow up on Kairn’s meeting with Ben: how the use of behavioral tests with a learning effect (e.g., subjects perform better on re-test) could be managed. The use of a control group an option for treatment studies, but larger numbers are required to achieve adequate power. A protocol that includes enough repeat testing so subjects reach a plateau is another option. We expanded on this idea, that is essentially a modification of the concept of the control chart applied to questions where variable behavioral test scores are an outcome.

2. Presentation: Abby provided an update on her research questions and proposed outputs:

a. Her research questions in outline form:

i. What is neonatal abstinence syndrome?

ii. What are the early predictors (collected up to 5 min post delivery) of NAS

iii. Are opiate exposed newborns treated for NAS less likely to be breastfed? (interested in policy implications of breastfeeding in this high-risk group)

b. Associated deliverables:

i. Publishable lit review

ii. Manuscript of primary analysis

iii. Policy paper (perhaps aimed at Journal of Health Affairs)

iv. Policy experience

c. Although she's been moving forward on each deliverable, she's now aiming to finish #1 (a lit review on the question "what is neonatal abstinence syndrome?"). There was discussion about the distinctions between literature review, systematic review, meta analysis, and meta analysis of RCTs. Summary: definitions come first, make them clear and relevant (What do you mean by NAS? Identify papers that look at THAT) make the lit review serve your research questions

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 2: Amanda: update on pharmacists integrated into primary care practices as part
of a VDH-funded grant Meeting ends at 2:00 – one hour only.

b. Feb 9: (no Ben, Amanda)

c. Feb 16: (no Connie, No Kairn)

d. Feb 23: Connie: oral presentation for defense (no Amanda)

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

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

g. Mar 15: (no Ben, Connie)

h. 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: K. Kelley