This article investigates the methodological sophistication of case studies as a tool for generating and testing theory by analyzing case studies published 1995-2000 in ten influential management journals. Using the framework developed by Cook and Campbell (1979), and later adapted to case-study research by Eisenhardt (1989), and Yin (1994), we find that case studies emphasized external validity at the expense of the two more fundamental quality measures, internal and construct validity. Comparing case studies published in the three highest-ranking journals with the other seven, we reveal strategies that may be useful for rectifying the rigor problem in case study research.

BackgroundChildren and adolescents are at high risk of sustaining fractures during growth. Therefore, epidemiological assessment is crucial for fracture prevention. The AO Comprehensive Injury Automatic Classifier (AO COIAC) was used to evaluate epidemiological data of pediatric long bone fractures in a large cohort.MethodsData from children and adolescents with long bone fractures sustained between 2009 and 2011, treated at either of two tertiary pediatric surgery hospitals in Switzerland, were retrospectively collected. Fractures were classified according to the AO Pediatric Comprehensive Classification of Long Bone Fractures (PCCF).Age, sex, BMI, injury and treatment data were recorded. Children were classified into four age classes and five BMI classes were applied. Seven major accident categories were established. Study parameters were tabulated using standard descriptive statistics. The relationship of categorical variables was tested using the chi-square test. The Children’s BMI was compared to WHO reference data and Swiss population data.ResultsFor a total of 2716 patients (60% boys), 2807 accidents with 2840 long bone fractures (59% radius/ulna; 21% humerus; 15% tibia/fibula; 5% femur) were documented. Children’s mean age (SD) was 8.2 (4.0) years (6% infants; 26% preschool children; 40% school children; 28% adolescents). Adolescent boys sustained more fractures than girls (p < 0.001). The leading cause of fractures was falls (27%), followed by accidents occurring during leisure activities (25%), at home (14%), on playgrounds (11%), and traffic (11%) and school accidents (8%). There was boy predominance for all accident types except for playground and at home accidents. The distribution of accident types differed according to age classes (p < 0.001). Twenty-six percent of patients were classed as overweight or obese — higher than data published by the WHO for the corresponding ages — with a higher proportion of overweight and obese boys than in the Swiss population (p < 0.0001).ConclusionOverall, differences in the fracture distribution were sex and age related. Overweight and obese patients seemed to be at increased risk of sustaining fractures. Our data give valuable input into future development of prevention strategies. The AO PCCF proved to be useful in epidemiological reporting and analysis of pediatric long bone fractures.

No abstract

Most surgeons reported that shared decision making was their preferred method for medical decision making. Unfortunately, many of them were insufficiently equipped to take a more collaborative role in interactions with patients. Gender, numeracy, length of experience, and cultural background limited their willingness to collaborate. Future research should identify effective interventions that help overcome barriers to shared decision making.

AIm: Assessment of previous vertebral fractures provides useful information to predict future fracture risk. This study aimed to determine the frequency, distribution and severity of prevalent osteoporotic vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women. mAterIAl and methOds: Data on patient characteristics, bone densitometry values, and spine radiographs (T2-L5) were reviewed in 232 postmenopausal women admitted to our osteoporosis clinic.results: Prevalent vertebral fractures were detected in 28 (12.1%) women (95%CI: 7.8 16.3). Fifteen women (6.5%) had mild fractures and 13 (5.6%) had moderate or severe fractures according to Genant's semi-quantitative technique. The T-score was associated with the presence of prevalent vertebral fractures (OR= 0.61; 95%CI: 0.38-0.96, P= 0.034). The most frequently fractured vertebrae were T11 and T12, followed by T7 and T9. Sixty percent of fractures were wedge-type while 40% were biconcave. The frequency of wedge-type fractures at the T11-T12 levels (93.8%) was higher compared to that at all other levels (44.1%) (P= 0.001). COnClusIOn:We determined the frequency, distribution, and severity of prevalent fractures and identified certain distribution patterns of fracture locations and types. To verify our results and detect possible predictive factors for fracture risk, population-based larger trials are needed. BulGulAr: 28 (%12.1) kadında (%95 güvenlik aralığı: 7.8-16.3) omurga kırığı saptandı. Genant'ın yarı-kantitatif yöntemine göre, 15 kadın (%6.5) hafif, 13 kadın ise orta ya da şiddetli kırığa sahipti. T-skoru vertebral kırık gelişmiş olmasıyla ilişkili bulundu (Odds oranı= 0.61; %95 güven aralığı: 0.38-0.96, P= 0.034). En sık kırık görülen omurlar T11 ve T12 iken, bunları T7 ve T9 izledi. Kırkların %60'ı kama, %40'ı bikonkav şekilliydi. T11 ve T12 seviyelerinde kama şekilli kırıkların sıklığı (%93.8) diğer seviyelerdekine kıyasla (%44.1) yüksekti (P= 0.001). KeywOrdssOnuÇ: Omurga kırıklarının sıklık, dağılım ve şiddeti saptanmış ve kırıkların yeri ve tiplerine dair belirli paternler bulunmuştur. Bulgularımızı doğrulamak ve kırık riskini tahmin etmekte kullanılacak muhtemel faktörleri saptamak için toplum tabanlı daha geniş çalışmalara gereksinim vardır.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract