Conducting a Directed Study in a Private Practice

Michael H. Oros CPOResidency Director

Scheck and Siress

Implementing a Directed Study process in a Private Practice

• Selecting a topic• Designing the study• Developing a timeline for completion• Gathering information/materials list• Study assembly • Producing the written document

Start the dialogue early!

•During the interview process

Choosing a topic(8-12 weeks into Residency)

Question: What area of the field are you interested in???

Choosing a topic(8-12 weeks into Residency)

• Prosthetics – Orthotics• Diagnosis vs. Device• People or Materials• Retrospective or Prospective

Decision Tree

Ownership of the Report

Ownership = Commitment

Quality of effort Time Spent

Company time At home

Designing the study(13-20 weeks into the Residency)

RULE #1: Know thyselfBoth Director & Resident:What are the existing

clinical/technical/research skill sets??

What are the strengths of the practice??

What support systems are in place to conduct this study??

Designing the study(13-20 weeks into the Residency)

Directed Study Options:• Literature Review• Case Study w/ Subjects• Scientific Study• Scientific Study w/IRB• Other

Designing the study(13-20 weeks into the Residency)

Directed Study Options:

• Really important to discuss the design limits of the project.

Designing the study(13-20 weeks into the Residency)

•Program pays for misc. expenses: mass mailings, copying documentation, downloadable article reprints etc.)

•Small 1 time equipment expenses (i.e. stopwatch)

•Fabrication of “test’ devices for patients

•Cash for patients participating in trials when necessary

•TIME!!! (of both Resident and Staff)

Establish a Budget:

Primary Resources Available:

• Library

• Internet

• Patient Records

Draft a specific timeline for completion of the project/study

(concept to completion)

Literature Review Submit

Abstract to NCOPE

Assemble Materials List Data Collection

Subject recruitment(if necessary)

1st Draft of PaperInitiate study Submission of

Final Report to NCOPE

Gathering Materials-Data-Information

Must have regardless of study format:

• NCOPE cover page

Gathering Materials-Data-Information

Must have if involving Human subjects :

• Subject or subjects• Signed letter of informed

consent • IRB approval if done at a

Qualified Research Organization

Presentation of the abstract to our Certified staff

• “Opportunity” to get feedback on the size and scope of the study

• Frequently an offer to help w/ data collection or subject recruitment

Conducting the study:

Patient Trials:• Speed•Stride length•Velocity

Conducting the study

Surveys(other category):• Patients• Physician• Practitioner• Technician• High School Students

Conducting the study

Patient Records:

•Diagnosis

•Device

•Age

•Gender

•Length of Treatment

•“Life” of device

Producing the written document

Review key elements:• Presentation of literature• Discussion of the results• Careful evaluation of

conclusions drawn• Suggestions for future

work

Producing the written document

• After reviewing the final draft for spelling & grammar—The entire document is shipped to NCOPE

Implementing a Directed Study process in a Private Practice

• Selecting a topic• Designing the study• Developing a timeline for completion• Gathering information/materials list• Study assembly • Producing the written document

Questions??