RESOURCES:

Full list of health-related journals where we can submit.


Files that are very specific to the current project:

CT Study: Courtney's (very important) study notes.

Roberts et al. (2017). Working manuscript (.docx) of the CT project.


PDFs that will be helpful in understanding and conducting the analyses:

Chandra et al. (2011). Pragmatist's guide to comparative analyses.


PDFs that will be helpful in understanding and writing the background/intro:

Dinh et al. (2013). CT in Australian trauma.

Lee et al. (2014). Pan CT vs. selective CT.

Poletti et al. (2004). Abdominal CT scans.

Salim et al. (2006). CT prospective study.

Smith et al. (2011). CT scanning in UK.

Jacobson et al. (2015). More you look, more you find.

Jensen et al. (1994). Inconsistencies in MRI findings and pain.


Current questions to the MD team:

Michelle (8/2/2017): We would need to know the alternative treatment (or tools of assessment) of a CT. We would also need to know how to measure the benefit (and/or harms) for both receiving a CT and for the alternative mode of diagnosis of care. It would also be helpful if we knew the cost associated with each. In thinking about this type of analysis, it may be easier if we limit the sample to a specific type of injury or diagnosis. I don't know and I would need your help in determining this.

Courtney (8/1/2017): 1. Is there a data dictionary with all of the terms used?

2. Is there a complete list of procedure codes with the corresponding description that can be sent over?

3. Is there a variable that's just yes or no that characterizes whether a treatment (or some outcome) was changed based on the results of the CT scan?

4. How are benefits or harms measured? X% of patients have Y negative consequence (or whatever). What are the specific outcomes we'll be assessing? The highlighted passage in the Word doc reads "No consistent pre-scan criteria were identified to accurately rule out CT as an effective adjunct to the work-up." I assume that's what we'll be exploring? How do we define success or failure of a scan? What variables can we use here?

5. It's not critical, but can we get cost data? From an economic perspective, this would be helpful as an outcome (evaluating cost per gain/benefit per dollar compared to an alternative procedure, or compared to not doing a CT scan), but, again, not critical. We just need a clear understanding of what variables are determining success/effectiveness.

6. Does the type of insurance the patient has affect treatment decisions (like whether a CT scan is ordered)?

7. Proc Result. This is a little bit difficult to interpret as is. There are lots of results here (fractured fingers, etc.). Do we just care if it was positive or negative. Does any other information matter? Fingers, pelvis, head... is it all the same in terms of the analysis? (We may have additional questions here.)