background: health technology assessment (hta) is a tool utilized for efficient dissemination of technology. for the purpose of encouraging decision-makers to utilize this tool, at first, we need to identify the obstacles in the processes of preparation, utilization, and implementation of htas. this study aims to define these barriers and offer solutions for effective utilization of hta reports...

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to validate an assessment instrument for MEDLINE search strategies at an academic medical center. METHOD Two approaches were used to investigate if the search assessment tool could capture performance differences in search strategy construction. First, data from an evaluation of MEDLINE searches from a pediatric resident's longitudinal assessment were...

BACKGROUND Frail and dependent older people in resource-poor settings are poorly served by health systems that lack outreach capacity. The COPE (Caring for Older PEople) multidimensional assessment tool is designed to help community health workers (CHWs) identify clinically significant impairments and deliver evidence-based interventions METHODS Older people (n = 150) identified by CHWs as fr...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the reliability and validity of a brief physical activity assessment tool suitable for doctors to use to identify inactive patients in the primary care setting. METHODS Volunteer family doctors (n = 8) screened consenting patients (n = 75) for physical activity participation using a brief physical activity assessment tool. Inter-rater reliability was assessed within one ...

BACKGROUND The ability to objectively analyze gait in a clinical environment is challenging due to time, space and cost constraints. This study investigated the validity of a portable gait assessment tool in objectively assessing the temporal gait parameters in subjects with spinal cord injury. The portable gait assessment tool consisted of a pair of insoles instrumented with force sensing resi...