Healthcare Informatics and Information Synthesis: Developing and Applying Clinical Knowledge to Improve Outcomes

About the Authors Foreword: How to Read This Book 1. Introduction: Healthcare Information Synthesis and Informatics Section A. Fundamental Goals of This Book Section B. Basic Concepts: 'Information Synthesis' and ' Healthcare Informatics' Section C. Organization of This Book Section D. Information Synthesis Methods Literature Section E. Synthesis Evaluation Criteria Section F. Potential Contributions of This Book Summary STAGE I: PLANNING AND PREPARATION 2. Synthese Planning Prerequisites and Conceptual Issues Section A. Information Synthesis and Resource Constraints Section B. Informatics and Internet Background Section C. Alternative Synthesis Designs to Consider Section D. Formulation of Synthesis Topic and Model Section E. Synthesis Audience and Their Needs Section F. Linking Synthesis to Healthcare Outcomes Improvement Section G. Final Project Planning Issues Summary 3. Procedures for Synthesis Planning and Preparation Procedure A. Formulate Topic by Group Consensus Procedure B. Establish a Project Plan Procedure C. Obtain Informatics Resources Procedure D. Recruit and Train Project Staff Procedure E. Organize Project Files Procedure F. Finalize Preparations Products of the Procedures in Chapter 3 Summary 4. Evaluation and Improvement of Stage I Procedure A. Assess and Enhance Documentation Adequacy Procedure B. Assess and Enhance Clinical Significance Procedure C. Assess and Enhance Scientific Soundness Procedure D. Assess and Enhance Cost-Effectiveness Summary STAGE II: DATABASE DEVELOLPMENT 5. Conceptual Issues in Database Development Section A. Bias Section B. Levels of Information Soundness Section C. Strategic Searth Considerations Section D. Generic Sources of Halth Science Information Section E. Fugitive Literature Summary 6. Healthcare Information Search Procedures Procedure A. Search Prepaation Update Procedure B. Initial Search Iterations Procedure C. Subsequent Iterations Procedure D. Search Termination Summary 7. Evaluation and Improvement of Stage II Procedure A. Assess and Enhance Documentation Adequacy Procedure B. Assess and Enhance Clinical Significance Procedure C. Assess and Enhance Scientific Soundness Procedure D. Assess and Enhance Cost-Effectiveness Summary STAGE III: DATABASE VALIDATION 8. Data Extraction and Coding Section A. Theoretical Issues in Data Extracting and Coding Section B. Procedures for Extracting and Coding Data Summary 9. Princip0les of Information Validation Section A. Importance of Validation of Individual Studies Section B. Causes of Poor Scientific Quality in Published Research Section C. Analysis of Quantitative Validity Section D. Analysis of Qualitative Validity Section E. Use of Validated Information for Synthesis Summary 10. Procedures for Database Validation Procedure A. Categorize Studies by Research Design Procedure B. Develop Validation Protocols Procedure C. Select and Train Reviewers Procedure D. Calibrate and Standardize Validity Ratings Procedure E. Validate Literature for Synthesis Summary 11, Evaluation and Improvement of Stage III Procedure A. Assess and Enhance Validation of Database Documentation Adequacy Procedure B. Assess and Enhance Validation of Database Clinical Significance Procedure C. Assess and Enhance Validation of Database Scientific Soundness Procedure D. Assess and Enhance Validation of Database Cost-Effectiveness Summary STAGE IV: INFORMATION ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS 12. Basic Statistics for Quantitative Synthesis Section A. Basic Statistical Concepts Section B. Effect Sizes Calculation and Use Section C. Hypothesis Testing in Meta-Analysis Summary 13. Conceptual Aspects of Meta-Analysis Section A. Designing Multivariate Models Section B. Selecting Effect Size Index Section C. Managing Missing Data Section D. Managing Artifacts and Biases Section E. Heterogeneity of Effect Sizes Among Studies Section F. Combining Effect Sizes Section G. Sensitively Analysis Summary 14. Step-by-Step Procedures for Meta-Analysis Procedure A. Develop a Strategic Plan Procedure B. Implement One of Seven Variations of a Meta-Analysis Procedure C. Conduct a Sensitivity Analysis Summary 15. Evaluation and Improvement of Stage IV Results Procedure A. Assess and Enhance Documentation Adequacy Procedure B. Assess and Enhance Clinical Importance Procedure C. Assess and Enhance Scientific Soundness Procedure D. Assess and Enhance Cost-Effectiveness Summary STAGE V: SYNTHESIS REPORT COMPLETION AND EVALUATION 16. Synthesis Manuscript Preparation Primer Procedure A. Prepare to Write Synthesis Manuscript Procedure B. Write Body of Synthesis Report Procedure C. Write Front and Trailing Matter for a Journal Article Procedure D. Write Front and Trailing Matter for a Book Summary 17. Applying Synthesis Results for Healthcare Outcomes Improvement Procedure A. Coping With the Difficulty of Behavioral Change and Diffusion of Innovation Procedure B. Avoiding Conflicts of Interest and Hazards of Science Propaganda Procedure C. Achieving Healthcare Outcomes Improvement Summary 18. Evaluation and Refinement of Synthesis Report Procedure A. Understanding Considerations for Project Finalization Procedure B. Finalizaing the Synthesis Project Procedure C. Self-Assessing the Final Synthesis Procedure D. Has Your Final Product Been Worth the Effort and Cost Involved? Summary Glossary References Index Synopsis of Compendium Summary