Professional Pharmacy Services and Patient Complexity: An Observational Study.

Purpose: To examine the association between the provision of professional pharmacy services (PPS) and patient complexity as determined by the number of distinct medications dispensed in Ontario.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among all individuals dispensed one or more medications under the Ontario Public Drug Program (OPDP) between April 1st, 2012 and March 31st, 2013. We compared characteristics of patients receiving -1 or more PPS to those receiving no PPS.

Psychometric properties of health-related quality of life instruments in patients undergoing palmar fasciectomy for dupuytren's disease: a prospective study.

Background: The traditional outcome measured following treatment of Dupuytren's Disease (DD) has been digital range of motion; specifically the gain in digital extension. The outcomes research movement in the last three decades however has been advocating the measurement of outcomes from the patient's perspective using Health-Related Quality of Life questionnaires (HRQOL). Although several generic and region-specific HRQOL questionnaires exist, there is no guidance as to which one is the most appropriate for this population.

Health-related quality of life in patients undergoing palmar fasciectomy for Dupuytren's disease.

Background: The present study was undertaken to assess the health-related quality of life in patients with Dupuytren's disease who undergo palmar fasciectomy.

Methods: A prospective cohort of patients with Dupuytren's disease undergoing palmar and/or digital fasciectomy was recruited from the practice of three plastic surgeons in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. After written informed consent was obtained, participants were asked to complete three health-related quality-of-life questionnaires (i.

The performance and publication of cost-utility analyses in plastic surgery: Making our specialty relevant.

Increased spending and reduced funding for health care is forcing decision makers to prioritize procedures and redistribute funds. Decision making is based on reliable data regarding the costs and benefits of medical and surgical procedures; such a study design is known as an economic evaluation. The onus is on the plastic surgery community to produce high-quality economic evaluations that support the cost effectiveness of the procedures that are performed.

Randomized controlled trial comparing health-related quality of life in patients undergoing vertical scar versus inverted T-shaped reduction mammaplasty.

Background: There is controversy regarding the superiority of the vertical scar reduction technique versus the inverted T-shaped reduction technique for breast reduction surgery.

Methods: Two hundred fifty-five patients were randomized to either the vertical scar reduction or inverted T-shaped reduction technique immediately before surgery over a 5-year period. Patients completed the Health Utilities Index Mark 3, Short Form-36, Breast-Related Symptoms Questionnaire, and Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire at 1 week preoperatively and 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

Reporting the level of evidence in the Canadian Journal of Plastic Surgery: Why is it important?

The levels of evidence (LOE) table has been increasingly used by many surgical journals and societies to emphasize the importance of proper study design. Since their origin, LOE have evolved to consider multiple study designs and also the rigour of not only the study type but multiple aspects of its design. The use of LOE aids readers in appraising the literature while encouraging clinical researchers to produce high-quality evidence.

Systematic review of economic evaluations in plastic surgery.

Background: Economic evaluations are quantitative methods comparing alternative interventions using cost data and expected outcomes. They are used to recommend/dissuade adoption of new surgical interventions and compare different clinical pathways, settings (inpatient/outpatient), or time horizons to determine which procedure may be more cost-effective. The objective of this systematic review was to describe all published English economic evaluations related to a plastic surgery domain.

Pyrocarbon versus silicone proximal interphalangeal joint arthroplasty: a systematic review.

Background: Arthritis at the proximal interphalangeal joint can be a disabling chronic condition. Silicone arthroplasty is a common surgical treatment option to provide pain relief and maintain joint mobility. Pyrocarbon implants are gaining popularity as an alternative to silicone prostheses.

A systematic review of power and sample size reporting in randomized controlled trials within plastic surgery.

Background: The randomized controlled trial is a reliable study design for assessing the effectiveness of a surgical intervention, provided it is adequately powered. This systematic review examines the appropriateness of reporting of power and sample size in randomized controlled trials within the plastic surgery literature.

Methods: Original randomized controlled trials published from January of 1990 to December of 2010 in nine high-impact plastic surgery journals were appraised.

Designing and reporting case series in plastic surgery.

The case series is the most prevalent type of clinical research in the plastic surgery literature. However, this is a lower level study design in the hierarchy of evidence. The case series is nevertheless a useful hypothesis generator for future studies.

Comparison of trapeziectomy and trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition: a systematic literature review.

Background: Trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition is currently the most popular technique for operative treatment of trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis. Based on the evidence, however, it is uncertain whether the addition of ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition to trapeziectomy confers any advantage. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature and determine which procedure, trapeziectomy or trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition, offers the best results to patients.