Knowledge Translation to Improve Research and Decision-making in Child Health

• Author / Creator

  Hamm, Michele P

• Background: Bias is a significant concern in pediatric randomized controlled
  trials (RCTs), but while there have been numerous calls for improvement in trial
  conduct, traditional means of education and dissemination of methodological
  principles have not had a substantial effect on the quality of published research.
  Objective: To investigate the use of knowledge translation to address the gap
  between what is known about clinical trial methodology and how pediatric RCTs
  are designed and conducted in practice.
  Methods: This study was conducted in four phases. To obtain a descriptive
  overview of the quality of pediatric RCTs, 300 studies published in 2007 were
  assessed for methodological quality and reporting. A mixed methods study was
  then conducted with pediatric trialists to identify the barriers and facilitators in
  conducting methodologically rigorous RCTs. Corresponding authors of 690
  pediatric RCTs published in 2008 and 2009 were surveyed and 13 trialists
  identified through the Maternal Infant Child and Youth Research Network were
  interviewed. The feedback from the survey and interviews, and a scoping review
  on the uses of social media by health care professionals led to the development of
  a wiki-based educational tool. The wiki was pilot tested for usability by
  conducting interviews with 15 trialists and methodologists.
  Results: Most trials from our 2007 sample were at high (59.3%) or unclear
  (33.0%) risk of bias. Barriers related to conducting methodologically rigorous
  trials included a lack of knowledge of bias and a negative research culture;
  facilitators included supportive colleagues and collaborative working
  relationships. Ninety six studies were identified in the scoping review,
  highlighting the prominence of social media in health care education. The use of a
  wiki as an online resource for providing guidance on minimizing bias was viewed
  favourably by participants, particularly components that put methodological
  principles into an applied context, such as case studies and examples.
  Conclusions: While methodological limitations in pediatric RCTs persist, a wiki
  developed to provide guidance on minimizing bias is a promising knowledge
  translation intervention to increase the quality of research in child health.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Knowledge translation
  • Randomized controlled trials
  • Pediatrics
  • Research methodology
  • Mixed methods
  • Wiki
  • Risk of bias
  • Social media

• Graduation date

  Spring 2013

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Doctor of Philosophy

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3330T

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.