Factors Associated with Publication of Research Projects from a Canadian Master of Science Degree Programme in Physical Therapy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the nature and extent of publications and to evaluate whether lead advisor role and experience, data collection tool, sample size, and research topic predict publication for research projects completed as part of a Canadian Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MScPT) programme. Method: We conducted a quantitative, cross-sectional, retrospective review of projects completed between 2003 and 2015 and confirmed publication status through citations of published work, a literature search, and a survey of advisors. We used descriptive statistics to describe the nature and extent of publications and logistic regression to analyze potential predictor variables. Results: Between 2003 and 2015, 44.5% of the 218 projects completed were associated with at least one peer-reviewed journal publication, and there was a seven-fold increase in annual publication rate. Projects led by a scientist or researcher ([OR] = 3.09; 95% CI: 1.15, 8.35), qualitative projects with 10 or more participants ([OR] 6.22; 95% CI: 1.96, 19.78), and quantitative projects with more than 50 participants ([OR] = 2.29; 95% CI: 1.14, 4.63) were associated with an increased likelihood of publication. Conclusions: MScPT research is published at a moderate rate, and annual publication rates increased between 2003 and 2015. Encouragement to obtain adequate sample sizes and additional support for clinician-led projects may enhance publication rates and, ultimately, bridge gaps in research-to-practice integration.

Objectif : décrire la nature et la portée des publications et évaluer si le rôle et l'exercice de conseiller principal, l'outil de collecte de données utilisé la taille de l'échantillon et le sujet retenu prédisent la publication des projets de recherche réalisés dans le cadre d'une maîtrise ès sciences en physiothérapie au Canada. Méthodologie : analyse rétrospective quantitative et transversale de projets terminés entre 2003 et 2015, et confirmation de la publication par des citations déjà publiées, recherche documentaire et enquête auprès des conseillers. Les auteurs ont utilisé des statistiques descriptives pour décrire la durée et l'étendue des publications, de même que la régression logistique pour analyser les variables prédictives potentielles. Résultats : le taux annuel de publications a septuplé entre 2003 et 2015, et 44,5 % des 218 projets terminés s'associaient à au moins une publication dans une revue dotée d'un comité de lecture. Les projets dirigés par un scientifique ou un chercheur (rapport de cotes [RC] 3,09; IC à 95 % : 1,15, 8,35), les projets qualitatifs comptant au moins dix participants (RC 6,22; IC à 95 % : 1,96, 19,78) et les projets quantitatifs comptant plus de 50 participants (RC 2,29; IC à 95 % : 1,14, 4,63) étaient plus susceptibles d'être publiés. Conclusion : la publication des recherches de maîtrise est modérée, et le taux annuel de publications a augmenté entre 2003 et 2015. L'encouragement à utiliser des tailles d'échantillon suffisantes et le soutien accru des projets dirigés par un clinicien pourraient accroître le taux de publications et, au bout du compte, corriger les lacunes relatives à l'intégration de la recherche à la pratique.

Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing Exercise is Medicine Canada on Campus Groups.

The Exercise is Medicine Canada on Campus (EIMC-OC) program was established in 2013 to provide opportunities for students to promote physical activity in their campus communities. Currently, 38 EIMC-OC groups are in operation, and each has encountered challenges and enablers that have yet to be formally documented. This project aimed to (1) identify barriers and facilitators when implementing an EIMC-OC group and (2) investigate levels of implementation at which the barriers and facilitators operate. Throughout winter 2016, 22 EIMC-OC group leaders representing 12 groups contributed data. Participants completed a survey and a semistructured interview developed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Interviews were transcribed and underwent thematic analysis. Eighteen barriers and 24 facilitators were identified, with four influencers cited as both a barrier and a facilitator. Common barriers included group member time constraints and communicating with health care professionals. Common facilitators included collaborating with other groups and advertising. Most influencers corresponded to the inner setting and process CFIR domains. Findings from this study suggest that EIMC-OC groups face similar barriers and facilitators despite varying local contexts. The influencers identified highlight recommendations to enhance the success of the EIMC-OC program and other multisite health initiatives at academic institutions.

Fostering quality experiences: Qualitative perspectives from program members and providers in a community-based exercise program for adults with physical disabilities.

BACKGROUND: Opportunities to be physically active within one's community need to be available and accessible to individuals with physical disabilities in order to increase participation; however, what constitutes quality participation within these opportunities and how exercise programs can foster quality experiences for this population have yet to be explored. OBJECTIVES: (1) To explore the participation experiences of adults with physical disabilities in a community-based exercise program from two perspectives; (2) To establish whether the participants' experiences could be understood through an existing quality participation framework. METHODS: Participants were thirteen members and ten providers (i.e., coordinators, trainers, and supervisors) recruited from a community-based exercise program for adults with physical disabilities. Six focus groups (three with program members and three with each distinct group of program providers) were carried out, audio recorded and transcribed. Following an initial inductive thematic analysis, themes were deductively mapped to Martin Ginis and colleagues' (2017) conceptualization of the experiential aspects of participation. RESULTS: Six themes (autonomy, belongingness, challenge, engagement, mastery and meaning) important for experiencing quality participation were identified and were in line with Martin Ginis and colleagues' (2017) framework. CONCLUSION: Findings support the use of Martin Ginis and colleagues' (2017) conceptualization of quality participation within the context of community-based exercise programs for adults with physical disabilities. Practitioners and researchers can use the findings as a starting point for designing, implementing and evaluating programs with the goal of optimizing quality participation.

Patient acuity as a determinant of paramedics' frequency of being exposed to physically demanding work activities.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this investigation was to examine if paramedics' frequency of being exposed to highly physically demanding activities, or their perception of physical, clinical, and emotional demands were altered by patients' acuity level, operationalized using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS). METHODS: Physical demands descriptions (PDD) were compiled from thirteen services across Canada. The observation sessions took place during a minimum of two full-shift (12-h) ride-outs at each service. Data were obtained from 53 ride-outs, which included a total of 190 calls. RESULTS: Higher urgency calls (CTAS level I or II) required significantly more stretcher handling, equipment handling, and intravenous (IV) work, also prompting higher ratings of perceived clinical, physical, and emotional demand. Independent of CTAS level, stretcher loading with patient (15.0%), horizontal patient transfer (13.7%), and pushing/pulling the stretcher with patient (13.1%) were identified as the most physically demanding tasks. CONCLUSIONS: Patient acuity is an important determinant affecting the frequency for which paramedics are exposed to work tasks with inherent ergonomic hazards (e.g., handling a stretcher with a patient). Patient acuity also affects paramedics' perceived clinical, physical, and emotional demands of a call.