ABSTRACT
Research networks were introduced in the UK to facilitate and improve clinical research and stroke was seen as a priority topic for local research network development. The Scottish Stroke Research Network (SSRN) is one of 11 stroke research networks in the UK. In this article we review the progress of the Scottish Stroke Research Network in the three years since inception. Between 2006-2009 the number of active hospital research sites has increased from 10 to 22 expanding to involve 20 stroke research nurses. There was a corresponding 58% increase in recruitment of participants into stroke studies, from 376 in 2006/07 to 594 in 2008/09. The majority (17/20) of our current studies are interventional. Data from one of these, the CLOTs trial (Clots in Legs Or sTocking after Stroke), demonstrates that the annual recruitment in Scotland increased from a median of 94 (range 6-122) patients per year in the six years before the SSRN, to 140 (135-158) patients per year after SSRN involvement. We currently screen about 50% of Scottish stroke patients and approximately 5% of Scottish stroke patients are participating in research studies that we support. The SSRN has made good progress in the first three years. Increasing the recruitment of screened patients remains a challenge.
Subject(s)
Health Services Research/organization & administration , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Stroke/therapy , Humans , Mass Screening , Patient Selection , Scotland , Stroke/diagnosisSubject(s)
Group Practice/trends , Societies/trends , Forecasting , Humans , Statistics as Topic , United StatesABSTRACT
Stress has been identified as a leading cause of disease in our society. The dynamics of the healthcare administration profession cause managers to be easy victims of this contemporary disorder. Many people realize that an antidote to stress is leisure-time hobbies. To find out what managers do with their leisure time, MGMA conducted an informal poll of Association members. Their responses were enlightening, interesting, and sometimes amusing. Some managers share similar interests, while some are quite unique.
Subject(s)
Health Facility Administrators/psychology , Humans , Stress, Psychological/prevention & control , United StatesABSTRACT
Group practice has often been suggested as a form of medical care organization that facilitates professional pursuits, including continuing medical education. A survey was conducted among Iowa physicians in fee-for service multispecialty group practice and in other forms of fee-for-service medical practice, including solo practice and small partnerships to determine their levels of engagement in a number of different types of continuing medical education activities. While several differences between the two groups were found, the survey indicated that overall the levels of engagement for the two groups were similar.
