FEASIBILITY; EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH AND BIAS

Feasibility; Experimental Research and Bias



Feasibility; Experimental Research and Bias

What was the importance/purpose of the study? Describe the inclusion criteria for participant selection in this study.

Undiagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is not uncommon among patients who seek care in urban inner-city emergency departments (EDs). The optimal method for providing appropriate HIV counseling, testing, and referral in this setting is unclear. A previous evaluation of an outpatient referral system for HIV testing among patients seen in the ED demonstrated that only 11% returned to be tested; of those tested, 7% were seropositive. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a financial incentive on the proportion of referred ED patients who completed outpatient HIV counseling and testing. The study does reveal the limitation of leaving several questions unanswered. It is for instance unclear as to how the circuit would react to different power strength or when different variables are taken into consideration. Nevertheless, like most research endeavors, this current endeavor does not strive to answer all questions related to arc weld power supply, but it deals with a specific issue in the greater field. The answered questions could easily constitute basis for future research endeavors, which would further support the development of the academic community and the practical industry

Discuss the financial incentive offered to participants in the study.

During the study, 372 patients were referred for HIV counseling and testing. During the control periods, 20 (8%) of 252 patients completed HIV counseling and testing; during the intervention period, 27 (23%) of 120 patients completed HIV counseling and testing (odds ratio, 3.4; 95% confidence interval = 1.8 to 6.3). Of the 47 patients who completed HIV counseling and testing, none (0%; 95% confidence interval = 0% to 8%) tested positive for HIV infection.

What study design was employed in this study? Would this study be considered an experiment? Explain your answer. What were the results and conclusions of the study?

This was a quasi-experiment performed at an urban county teaching hospital. ED patients identified using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines as being at risk for HIV infection were referred for outpatient HIV counseling and testing at our institution within one week. This study was divided into three study periods. During the first and third periods, no financial incentive was offered for completing HIV counseling and testing. During the second period, a 25 dollars incentive was ...