How can we make our research clinically relevant? Mike Smith

Healthcare research “Research is undertaken by academics, for academics.” “Research is undertaken by academics, for academics.” Why are research questions not informed (at least in part) by the people who treat patients, i.e. clinicians? Why are research questions not informed (at least in part) by the people who treat patients, i.e. clinicians? What is the point in undertaking research that no one uses? What is the point in undertaking research that no one uses?

Healthcare research – the challenge How do you engage the clinical community in participating with the research process: How do you engage the clinical community in participating with the research process: Generating research questions Generating research questions Informing the research process Informing the research process Participating in the research process Participating in the research process Evaluating the outcome of research Evaluating the outcome of research Using research findings in their daily practice Using research findings in their daily practice

Case study – scapulothoracic (i.e. shoulder-blade) movement patterns Scapulothoracic movement patterns are linked to shoulder pain and disability Scapulothoracic movement patterns are linked to shoulder pain and disability Shoulder pain and disability has a large negative effect on personal and financial wellbeing Shoulder pain and disability has a large negative effect on personal and financial wellbeing Therefore quantifying and recording scapulothoracic movement patterns is of clinical relevance Therefore quantifying and recording scapulothoracic movement patterns is of clinical relevance

Case study – scapulothoracic (i.e. shoulder-blade) movement patterns However…… However…… Physiotherapists use a vast spectrum of approaches to describe and record scapulothoracic movement patterns Physiotherapists use a vast spectrum of approaches to describe and record scapulothoracic movement patterns This impedes the ability of clinicians to communicate effectively and also to implement evidence-based practice This impedes the ability of clinicians to communicate effectively and also to implement evidence-based practice So what can we do about it? So what can we do about it?

Case study – scapulothoracic (i.e. shoulder-blade) movement patterns Engage the shoulder clinical community in the research process using a web-based methodology Engage the shoulder clinical community in the research process using a web-based methodology

Clinicians fill out questionnaire relating to current clinical practice Clinicians fill out questionnaire relating to current clinical practice On-line Delphi approach used to establish consensus on terminology On-line Delphi approach used to establish consensus on terminology Clinicians view clinical videos of scapulothoracic movement patterns Clinicians view clinical videos of scapulothoracic movement patterns On-line Delphi approach used to establish consensus on visual representation of terminology On-line Delphi approach used to establish consensus on visual representation of terminology

Creation of an on-line clinical community Creation of an on-line clinical community Minimally intrusive participation in research process Minimally intrusive participation in research process The clinical community inform the development of their measurement approach The clinical community inform the development of their measurement approach “Ownership” of the measurement approach (hopefully) leads to the clinical community using it in their clinical practice “Ownership” of the measurement approach (hopefully) leads to the clinical community using it in their clinical practice