Strategies for Translating Knowledge into Practice

Embodiment of the interpersonal nexus: revealing qualitative research findings on shoulder surgery patients

Background

The paper reports on the importance of the interpersonal nexus within qualitative research processes, from a recent research project on patient experiences of shoulder surgery. Our aim is to reveal the importance of qualitative research processes and specifically the role of the interpersonal nexus in generating quality data. Literature related to the importance of human interactions and interpersonal communication processes in health-related research remains limited. Shoulder surgery has been reported to be associated with significant postoperative pain. While shoulder surgery research has investigated various analgesic techniques to determine key efficacy and minimization of adverse side effects, little has been reported from the patient perspective.

Methods

Following institutional ethics approval, this project was conducted in two private hospitals in Victoria, Australia, in 2010. The methods included a survey questionnaire, semistructured interviews, and researcher-reflective journaling. Researcher-reflective journaling was utilized to highlight and discuss the interpersonal nexus.

Results

This research specifically addresses the importance of the contributions of qualitative methods and processes to understanding patient experiences of analgesic efficacy and shoulder surgery. The results reveal the importance of the established research process and the interwoven interpersonal nexus between the researcher and the research participants. The interpersonal skills of presencing and empathetic engagement are particularly highlighted.

Conclusion

The authors attest the significance of establishing an interpersonal nexus in order to reveal patient experiences of shoulder surgery. Interpersonal emotional engagement is particularly highlighted in data collection, in what may be otherwise understated and overlooked qualitative findings in patient experiences of shoulder surgery.

Technology-based methods of dietary assessment: recent developments and considerations for clinical practice

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The objective of this review is to provide an overview of recent findings in technology-based methods for the collection and analysis of dietary information, and explore the potential implications of these technologies for dietary assessment in a clinical setting.

RECENT FINDINGS

Numerous technology-based methods for dietary assessment have emerged in recent years. These methodologies have the potential to enhance the dietary assessment process, and overall appear to yield valid results in a wide variety of populations. However, as is the case with the existing technologies they are designed to replace, none is error free and each has its own unique limitations. Therefore, the decision to incorporate one of these methodologies into clinical practice should only be made after a thorough evaluation of the methodology and with specific outcome goals in mind.

SUMMARY

Evidence supporting the emerging role of technology-based methods for dietary assessment is growing. As technological advances move rapidly forward it is important to consider a theoretical foundation to help guide the translation of these innovations into routine use in clinical practice.