Dataset Information

Individual Differences in Responsiveness to Acupuncture: An Exploratory Survey of Practitioner Opinion.

ABSTRACT: Background: Previous research has considered the impact of personal and situational factors on treatment responses. This article documents the first phase of a four-stage project on patient characteristics that may influence responsiveness to acupuncture treatment, reporting results from an exploratory practitioner survey. Methods: Acupuncture practitioners from various medical professions were recruited through professional organisations to complete an online survey about their demographics and attitudes as well as 60 questions on specific factors that might influence treatment. They gave categorical ("Yes", "No", and "Don't know") and free-text responses. Quantitative and qualitative (thematic) analyses were then conducted. Results: There were more affirmative than negative or uncertain responses overall. Certain characteristics, including ability to relax, exercise and diet, were most often considered relevant. Younger and male practitioners were more likely to respond negatively. Limited support was found for groupings between characteristics. Qualitative data provide explanatory depth. Response fatigue was evident over the course of the survey. Conclusions: Targeting and reminders may benefit uptake when conducting survey research. Practitioner characteristics influence their appreciation of patient characteristics. Factors consistently viewed as important included ability to relax, exercise and diet. Acupuncture practitioners may benefit from additional training in certain areas. Surveys may produce more informative results if reduced in length and complexity.

SUBMITTER: Mayor DF

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6163768 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Individual Differences in Responsiveness to Acupuncture: An Exploratory Survey of Practitioner Opinion.

Mayor David F DF McClure Lara S LS Clayton McClure J Helgi JH

Medicines (Basel, Switzerland) 20180806 3

<b>Background:</b> Previous research has considered the impact of personal and situational factors on treatment responses. This article documents the first phase of a four-stage project on patient characteristics that may influence responsiveness to acupuncture treatment, reporting results from an exploratory practitioner survey. <b>Methods:</b> Acupuncture practitioners from various medical professions were recruited through professional organisations to complete an online survey about their de ...[more]

PMID: 30082630

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Project description:BackgroundCalls have been made for increased access to individual participant data (IPD) from clinical trials, to ensure that complete evidence is available. However, despite the obvious benefits, progress towards this is frustratingly slow. In the meantime, many systematic reviews have already collected IPD from clinical trials. We propose that a central repository for these IPD should be established to ensure that these datasets are safeguarded and made available for use by others, building on the strengths and advantages of the collaborative groups that have been brought together in developing the datasets.ObjectiveEvaluate the level of support, and identify major issues, for establishing a central repository of IPD.DesignOn-line survey with email reminders.Participants71 reviewers affiliated with the Cochrane Collaboration's IPD Meta-analysis Methods Group were invited to participate.Results30 (42%) invitees responded: 28 (93%) had been involved in an IPD review and 24 (80%) had been involved in a randomised trial. 25 (83%) agreed that a central repository was a good idea and 25 (83%) agreed that they would provide their IPD for central storage. Several benefits of a central repository were noted: safeguarding and standardisation of data, increased efficiency of IPD meta-analyses, knowledge advancement, and facilitating future clinical, and methodological research. The main concerns were gaining permission from trial data owners, uncertainty about the purpose of the repository, potential resource implications, and increased workload for IPD reviewers. Restricted access requiring approval, data security, anonymisation of data, and oversight committees were highlighted as issues under governance of the repository.ConclusionThere is support in this community of IPD reviewers, many of whom are also involved in clinical trials, for storing IPD in a central repository. Results from this survey are informing further work on developing a repository of IPD which is currently underway by our group.

Dataset Information

Individual Differences in Responsiveness to Acupuncture: An Exploratory Survey of Practitioner Opinion.

Publications

Individual Differences in Responsiveness to Acupuncture: An Exploratory Survey of Practitioner Opinion.

Similar Datasets

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