Aspirin prescribing for cardiovascular disease in middle-aged and older adults in Ireland: Findings from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing.

Aspirin use for cardiovascular indications is widespread despite evidence not supporting use in patients without cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study characterises aspirin prescribing among people aged ≥50 years in Ireland for primary and secondary prevention, and factors associated with prescription. This cross-sectional study includes participants from wave 3 (2014-2015) of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing.

Quality, scope and reporting standards of randomised controlled trials in Irish Health Research: an observational study.

Background: Despite efforts to improve the accuracy and transparency of the design, conduct, and reporting of randomised controlled trials (RCTs), deficiencies remain. Such deficiencies contribute to significant, avoidable waste of health research investment and impede reproducibility. This study aimed to synthesise and critically analyse changes over time in the conduct and reporting of internationally published evidence on patient and/or population health-oriented RCTs conducted in one country.

An updated and more efficient search strategy to identify primary care-relevant clinical prediction rules.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to develop an improved search strategy for clinical prediction rules.

Study Design And Setting: We first refined a list of 30 primary care-relevant journals and improved the efficiency of the Haynes Narrow Filter/Teljour/Murphy Inclusion Filter with 26 items by removing one term (Modified Haynes 26 filter). We then developed the "Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) filter" and compared it with the modified HNF/TMIF26 for its ability to detect prediction rules in the primary care literature.

A qualitative study of day release in Irish general practice training programmes.

This research, conducted by postal questionnaires and focus groups, gathered the opinions of both current and former GP trainees on Irish General Practice Training Programmes about the educational value of day release. Six focus groups, comprising 34 general practice trainees, were conducted. Results demonstrated that both current and former GP trainees recognised the educational value of day release in their general practice training.