RESS1

Question 1

Define Research Evidence

Answer 1

The systematic investigation into, and study of, materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions

Question 2

What results can a poorly designed study cause?

Answer 2

Uninterpretable and misinterpretable

Question 3

Levels of the Hierarchy of evidence (top to bottom)

Answer 3

MetaAnalyses
Systematic Reviews
Critically Appraised Topics
Critically Appraised Individual Articles
Randomized Controlled Trials 
Cohort Studies
Case-Controlled Studies
Background Information/ Expert Opinion

Question 4

Case-control study

Answer 4

Selects participants on the basis of their outcome and works back to their exposure- cheap but subject to bias

Question 5

Cohort study

Answer 5

Longitudinal study following group of people over time, recording subsequent events- selects participants before the outcome but no control over exposure

Question 6

RCT

Answer 6

Participants randomised to treatment groups (minimising bias) - participants selected before outcome and exposure controlled but expensive

Question 7

Meta-analysis

Answer 7

Combines (using formal statistical procedures) the quantitative results from multiple studies- formal summary of existing evidence

Question 8

3 types of study that support healthcare development and assessment

Answer 8

Research, Audit, Service Evaluation

Question 9

Define Research

Answer 9

Generates new knowledge where there is no or limited research evidence available and which has the potential to be generalisable or transferable

Question 10

Define Audit

Answer 10

A quality improvement process that seeks to improve patient care and outcomes through systematic review of care against explicit criteria and the implementation of change.

Question 11

Define Clinical Audit

Answer 11

Measures existing practice against evidence-based clinical standards i.e. Is what ought to be happening, actually happening?

Question 12

Clinical Audit Cycle

Answer 12

1. Preparation and planning
2. Measuring performance
3. Implementing Change
4. Sustaining improvement

Question 13

Service Evaluation

Answer 13

Evaluates a current service or proposed practice (e.g. uptake, activity) with the intention of generating information to inform local decision-making

Establishes what factors might be associated with those contexts, those patients or those practitioners who succeed in achieving this standard; and those who do not

Question 14

What kind of study is: What proportion of patients with dysphagia are given swallowing therapy at least 3 times a week?

Answer 14

Audit

Question 15

What kind of study is: How many times a week are patients given swallowing therapy?

Answer 15

Service Evaluation

Question 16

What kind of study is: what proportion of patients with dysphagia are given swallowing therapy at least 3 times a week in consultant-led and non-Consultant-led clinics?

Answer 16

Audit-cum-service evaluation

Question 17

What kind of study is: How might early aspirin administration influence the need for swallowing therapy?

Answer 17

Research

Question 18

With regards to exposure and outcome, how is an audit and service evaluation similar

Answer 18

Audit- Interested in proportion of patients who receive care that meets that recommended by the guideline

Service Evaluation: Interested in whether variation in patient characteristics or healthcare delivery might influence whether a patient receives standard care