Open AccessEvidence-based Research in Community Rehabilitation: Design Issues and Strategies
Author(s) -
Andrew M. H. Siu,
Daniel T. L. Shek,
Peter Poon
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
hong kong journal of occupational therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.301
H-Index - 13
eISSN - 1876-4398
pISSN - 1569-1861
DOI - 10.1016/s1569186109700403
Subject(s) - blinding , rehabilitation , randomized controlled trial , psychology , qualitative research , applied psychology , physical therapy , research design , work (physics) , quality (philosophy) , outcome (game theory) , community based rehabilitation , medicine , management science , nursing , medical education , physical medicine and rehabilitation , engineering , sociology , social science , mechanical engineering , philosophy , surgery , mathematics , mathematical economics , epistemology
This review highlights a number of methodological issues that arise when a randomised controlled trial (RCT) is conducted on community rehabilitation programmes. These methodological issues are discussed with reference to examples of evidence-based studies conducted with the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation. In conducting RCTs of community rehabilitation programmes, we recommend using randomisation, a control or comparison group, at least single-blinding, and objective outcome measures. We also discuss strategies used to control inter-subject differences, the importance of pilot testing, and follow-up assessments. Qualitative evaluation and process evaluation can provide important evidence for enhancing the quality of programmes and examining why and how programmes either work or do not work. In view of the resources available to community rehabilitation settings, we recommend a combination of four strategies in community trials: (a) quantitative evaluation using experimental or quasi-experimental designs, (b) subjective outcome evaluation, (c) qualitative evaluation, and (d) process outcome evaluation.