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What Gets Measured Gets Managed: A Scoping Review of Musculoskeletal Research Conducted Within Practice-Based
Rahim Lalji1, Javier Muñoz Laguna, Jael Kauth
1From the EBPI-UWZH Musculoskeletal Epidemiology Research Group, University of Zurich and Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland (RL, JML, LH, AK, CAH); Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute (EBPI), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (RL, JML, LH, VvW, MAP, CAH); University Spine Centre Zurich (UWZH), Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland (RL, JML, LH, CAH); Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland (JK); Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia (JA); Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (AK); Chiropractic Knowledge Hub, Odense, Denmark (AK); and Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (VvW).
Abstract:
Musculoskeletal conditions are often managed in primary care settings. To facilitate research and healthcare quality, practice-based research networks offer sustained collaborations between clinicians and researchers. A scoping review was conducted to describe characteristics of practice-based research networks used for musculoskeletal research and musculoskeletal research conducted through practice-based research networks. Practice-based research networks were identified from 1) musculoskeletal-studies identified in OVID Medline, CINAHL, and Embase databases from inception to 5 February 2023 and in ClinicalTrials.gov and 2) from practice-based research network registries and websites. Among active musculoskeletal-focused practice-based research networks (i.e., currently recruiting and conducting research), an assessment of practice-based research network research good practices was performed. After screening 3025 records, 85 studies from 46 unique practice-based research networks met our eligibility criteria. Common conditions studied were low back pain (28%), musculoskeletal conditions not otherwise specified (25%), and osteoarthritis (19%). Thirty-two practice-based research networks (70%) were deemed to be active. Among active musculoskeletal-focused practice-based research networks, best practice data management information was retrievable for most (53%). Because of the scarcity of publicly available information, a large proportion of practice-based research network research good practice items was not assessable. Practice-based research networks have provided an avenue to assess clinical practice and patient outcomes related to musculoskeletal conditions. Further work to increase the transparency of musculoskeletal practice-based research network research practices is warranted.
