Point-of-Care (Practice Characteristics) Research

The purpose of point-of-care research is explore the practice of clinicians at the point-of-care as evidence through document review. Document reviews require the clinician(s) to perform chart reviews of evaluations and interventions to understand the practice methods deployed. This may include exploring the use of special testing, rates of diagnoses through risk, rates, and exposures, shared histories or goals for patients, etc.

Template: To download the fillable template for a Point-of-Care Research please follow the link below: Point-of-Care Research Template. 

Title: The phrase “Point-of-Care Research” should be included, as well as the content and focus of the title (e.g. Use of Special Testing for the Ankle at the Point-of-Care ).Titles should be no longer than 15 words and the heading “title” does not need to appear in the submission.

Content Focus: All submissions will be required to designate an Athletic Training Research Agenda Priority. The Athletic Training Research Agenda can be found here. The research priorities are Health Care Competency, Vitality of The Profession, Health Professions Education, Health Care Economics, and Health Information Technology.

Abstract: A 300-word unstructured abstract should accompany your submission. The abstract should include an introductory statement, the clinical diagnosis, outcomes, and a clinical bottom line.

Video Abstract (Optional): A Video Abstract is an accompanying feature for research articles that should attract viewers to the scientific paper. The aim of the Video Abstract is to promote the highlights of your study. Therefore, it should include the main conclusions and results of the paper, but it should also add something to the written paper. Ideally, it should engage viewers by telling a story, for example by starting with a particular finding, a question, or a distinctive topic around which the story will unfold. Your emphasis must be on ways of capturing the attention of your audience, encouraging them to read your paper. The video can be recorded using any software and should be under 2 minutes in length. The video may include voice-over presentation, podcast, and video capture. The video abstracts will be posted on the manuscript homepage and social media.

Introduction: Describe the clinic(s) you are providing care in. In detail, explain the patient populations, hiring practices, number and type of clinicians, number of athletes or patients, etc. Explain the practice component that will be presented in the manuscript. This may include injury characteristics, treatment characteristics, value characteristics, budget, or inventory.

Next, identify a clinically relevant question and write this at the end of the introduction as the clinical question/purpose statement. Some examples include:

  • What are the types and quantity of injuries managed at the clinical site?
  • What is the value of my practice?
  • What is the average duration of care per injury?
  • What special testing is used for knee injuries?
  • How did we implement best available evidence in treating exertional heat stroke?

Methods:

Identify the system and process.

  • The system will include the electronic medical record and spreadsheet software (Excel, etc.) that may be used. If using some type of electronic medical record, medical documentation software, or injury surveillance platform, please provide context regarding the use, training, and product information.
  • The process includes the procedures for collecting data during care. This should explain when and how the data was collected.

List and define the variables necessary to answer the questions. This may include:

  • Patient Demographics (age, sex, sport, leg dominance, etc.)
  • Injury Demographics (MOI, body part, body side, diagnosis, ICD-10 codes, time loss)
  • Athletic Trainer Demographics (age, sex, years of experience, level of education, etc.)
  • Clinical test or Outcome of Interest (special tests, diagnostics, exposure, etc.
  • Other Contextual Factors
  • If describing clinical practice techniques rather than patient injury characteristics, please provide athletic trainer demographics (level of education, years of experience, age, sex)

Results: Present the gathered data in a basic report. This may be provided through tables, figures, and charts with the addition of a written summary of the data. The data should include frequency counts, averages, and modes (when appropriate).

Clinical Application: Describe what the findings mean in your clinical practice. Please provide references to support claims. Also, provide information regarding what was learned about your clinical practice and how can this information be used by yourself and other practicing clinicians. Finally, describe issues in data collection or data analysis for this sample (system and process issues) that would improve point-of-care research.

References: List all references used to support the case at the conclusion of the column. Please adhere to AMA guidelines.