Category Archives: N&AHP

Basics in scientific writing – a blog and tweetorial

LIVES 2020, N&AHP, Research

Basics in scientific writing- Do’s and Don’ts in publishing your research

Jos M. Ltour, Ruth Endacott

Keep Calm and Submit your Paper!

Think about the journal choice (comply with guidelines)
Remove distractions

Use equator guidelines early (while writing protocol)

KISS – keep it simple and short

Title

  • keep it short
  • avoid question marks
  • avoid rare abrbeviations

 

Abstract

  • maximize discoverability
  • employ keywords (repeat 2-3 times in natural manner)

 

Introduction

  • short,leading to aim of the study (1-1.5 page is enough)
  • attention-grabbing (get the reader into it)

 

 

Methods:

    • use subheadings
    • settings, study population, intervention, outcomes, analysis
    • do not forget the ethics

 

 

Results

  • this section is called Findings for qualitative studies
  • be clear and objective, do not interpret the results
  • do not overlap textwhich can be read in tables and figures
  • common mistake title of table (always on top of table) and title of figure (always on top of figure)
  • use electronic supplement materials(appendices) if you have a lot of data (long tables>2 pages)
  • give all the data -it contributes to the transparency of the study

 

Discussion

  • you can repeat the aim of your study
  • focus on clinical implications (3 pages enough)
  • be clear, do not blur
  • pick out the most important, striking, overarching results
  • min 3 limitations – a study without limitations is not study
  • try to choose the journal which allows 4.000 -5.000 word count
  • use key messages (what is known, what this paper adds)


Tips

  • do not submit too quickly
  • read out loud
  • present to co-authors
  • ask a colleague to read it
  • co-authors -only with significant contribution to your work (use acknowledgement section)
  • check references (40% mistake rate) – use a reference manager software
  • plagiarism is an offence (self-plagiarism is unethical)
  • have ready short cover letter (not a long one selling your manuscript)
  • have ready potential reviewer names

 

Final words

 

  • Have a personal reason to write
  • Make writing meaningful
  • Look for inspiration, motivation and support from your colleagues
  • Reward yourself for the sacrifices made
  • Look after your mental health

TWEETORIAL

 

N&AHP Case-based fundamentals: Ethical aspects

After-care, LIVES 2020, N&AHP
By Κατερίνα Ηλιοπούλου, Nikolas Efstathiou (members of the N&AHP committee)

Ethical aspects within decision-making about whether a patient should undertake a significant abdominal operation are intertwined with his/her ICU mobilization plan and psychosocial challenges.

Patients’ views and wishes should be considered in decision-making. Patients and their family need to be appropriately informed about what the outcomes for the patient might be. Autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice should be integrated with decision-making. Only the patient, having capacity, is to decide what course of actions meet personal perceptions about quality of life.

Patient’s mobilization is based upon several factors, namely, the endotracheal tube tolerance, tolerance to weaning, pain levels. There are cases that the ICU patient may refuse to get mobilized. Therefore, it is important a. the physio team to build rapport with the patient prior to mobilization and b. the healthcare team to keep patients pain-free and to provide reassurance. Discussion about whether and at what extend the operation will affect the patient’s mobility is also essential. Pre-rehabilitation information, including setting realistic expectations with the patient meaningful for his recovery trajectory, should also be provided.

Testimony from a COVID-19 patient from the first wave of the pandemic who developed delirium due to his ICU stay highlighted the need for highly trained and empathetic healthcare providers. The patient has been keeping a personal progress chart helping him to monitor his progress, as his constant fear is that he is performing at a low level due to remaining cognitive deficiencies. He revealed that going back to the ICU was very helpful. He also found of enormous help the support of the outreach team located in his city, Manchester. ICUsteps booklet helped him and his family to get information about what they might experience post ICU. As he was feeling isolated, he reached for help to ICUsteps support group. His ‘take home’ message was that an MDT approach, including collaborative goals for ICU patients experiencing delirium, is imperative.

Check out ICUsteps here