Combat casualty care research, trauma topics, understanding and interpreting research papers, importance of civilian input, sample size in research studies, challenges of data interpretation, managing medical situations, pre-hospital interventions, efficacy of Narcan, collaboration on social media for medical discussions
Understanding research design is vital for interpreting study findings and implementing evidence-based practices.
P-values and confidence intervals are statistical measures that must be carefully assessed alongside clinical relevance for meaningful interpretation.
Retrospective studies are useful for generating hypotheses and indicating areas for further in-depth research, rather than providing definitive conclusions.
Deep dives
Understanding the Importance of Study Design and Research Relevance
Research design plays a crucial role in interpreting study findings. Different types of studies, such as systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, prospective observational trials, and retrospective trials, hold varying levels of evidence. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are considered high-quality evidence but are influenced by the quality of data inputted. Researchers must match inclusion criteria and outcomes to relevant clinical scenarios.
Significance of P-Values and Confidence Intervals in Research Findings
P-values and confidence intervals are important statistical measures but not a guarantee of significance. A P-value of 0.05 is not a magical threshold, and interpretation should consider sample size and expected outcomes. Confidence intervals express the certainty of data representation within a sample set. Researchers must assess clinical relevance alongside statistical significance for meaningful interpretation.
Utilizing Retrospective Studies as Hypothesis Generating Tools
Retrospective studies serve as hypothesis-generating tools rather than definitive research. These studies analyze available data to propose potential research avenues and assess initial hypotheses. They help in generating interest for further research, such as randomized controlled trials or prospective studies, by indicating areas where more in-depth investigation is warranted.
Significance of Research Studies and Peer Review
Research studies are emphasized as rigorous and expensive endeavors that require more thoughtful evaluation. The importance of considering peer-reviewed studies is highlighted, pointing out that different experts may have varying opinions on the same research findings. It is stressed that looking beyond surface level assessments of studies and understanding their relevance to practice is crucial.
Challenges and Considerations in Pre-Hospital Trauma Care
The discussion shifts to the practical considerations in pre-hospital trauma care, focusing on the limited data supporting interventions like pelvic binders. The skepticism towards procedures like REBOA and the emphasis on foundational care and optimizing physiological responses without relying solely on advanced techniques are highlighted. Furthermore, the need for practicality in implementing new practices in diverse medical settings is emphasized, along with the distinction between subjective experiences and objective data in medical decision-making.
In this episode of PragChat, Aaron and Jason sit down with Dr. Schauer (@armyemdoc) to discuss research papers and his thoughts on some trauma topics. Understanding research and how to interpret research papers is valuable to improving our practices and Dr. Shauer does a great job of breaking down how to interpret data and research. Dr. Schauer also discusses some trauma topics as well that is backed up by evidence based medicine.
This was one of the most informative episodes on how to effectively evaluate research, that is constantly evolving, and implement that knowledge into your current practice. Dr. Schauer gives a master class on how to understand and evaluate research and we truly enjoyed discussing these topics with him!
Thanks to Dr. Schauer for taking time out of his busy schedule to talk with us and if you’re not following him, check out his Instagram. Also check out his Twitter and YouTube page that he is constantly updating with new information and videos.
