Healthcare Informatics and Information Synthesis
Developing and Applying Clinical Knowledge to Improve Outcomes
- John W. Williamson
- Charlene R. Weir - University of Utah School of Medicine and School of Nursing
- Charles W. Turner
- Michael J. Lincoln
- Keely M. W. Cofrin
Other Titles in:
Clinical Medicine
Clinical Medicine
December 2001 | 704 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
This work is a useful resource that covers the process of research synthesis for the purpose of evidence based healthcare improvement. Williamson et al. integrate the conceptual and procedural dimensions of research synthesis in each of the five stages of the process to produce step-by-step instructions for clinically applicable research syntheses. The book includes a compendium of Internet sources and addresses as well as several blank forms that serve as checklists and for the recording of important information. Medical specialists and researchers, graduate students, and those who write health science articles for the lay public will find this an invaluable resource for conducting healthcare research syntheses.
About the Authors
Foreword: How to Read This Book
1. Introduction: Healthcare Information Synthesis and Informatics
STAGE I: PLANNING AND PREPARATION
2. Synthese Planning Prerequisites and Conceptual Issues
3. Procedures for Synthesis Planning and Preparation
4. Evaluation and Improvement of Stage I
STAGE II: DATABASE DEVELOLPMENT
5. Conceptual Issues in Database Development
6. Healthcare Information Search Procedures
7. Evaluation and Improvement of Stage II
STAGE III: DATABASE VALIDATION
8. Data Extraction and Coding
9. Princip0les of Information Validation
10. Procedures for Database Validation
11, Evaluation and Improvement of Stage III
STAGE IV: INFORMATION ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS
12. Basic Statistics for Quantitative Synthesis
13. Conceptual Aspects of Meta-Analysis
14. Step-by-Step Procedures for Meta-Analysis
15. Evaluation and Improvement of Stage IV Results
STAGE V: SYNTHESIS REPORT COMPLETION AND EVALUATION
16. Synthesis Manuscript Preparation Primer
17. Applying Synthesis Results for Healthcare Outcomes Improvement
18. Evaluation and Refinement of Synthesis Report
Glossary
References
Index
Synopsis of Compendium
“Comprehensive, thoughtful, and well-organized . . . an excellent guide to searching, evaluating, organizing, and reporting the results of information syntheses.”