Research participants want to receive results from studies in which they participate. However, health researchers rarely share the results of their studies beyond scientific publication. Little is known about the barriers researchers face in returning study results to participants.

Using a mixed-methods design, health researchers (N=414) from more than 40 U.S. universities were asked about barriers to providing results to participants. Respondents were recruited from universities with Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) programs and Prevention Research Centers (PRCs).

Respondents reported the percent of their research where they experienced each of the four barriers to disseminating results to participants: logistical/methodological, financial, systems, and regulatory. A fifth barrier, investigator capacity, emerged from data analysis. Training for research faculty and staff, promotion and tenure incentives, and funding agencies supporting dissemination of results to participants were solutions offered to overcoming barriers.

Study findings add to literature on research dissemination by documenting health researchers’ perceived barriers to sharing study results with participants. Implications for policy and practice suggest that additional resources and training could help reduce dissemination barriers and increase the return of results to participants.

To determine the attributable cost and length of stay of hospital-acquired Clostridioides difficile infection (HA-CDI) from the healthcare payer perspective using linked clinical, administrative, and microcosting data.

A retrospective, population-based, propensity-score–matched cohort study.

Acute-care facilities in Alberta, Canada.

Admitted adult (≥18 years) patients with incident HA-CDI and without CDI between April 1, 2012, and March 31, 2016.

Incident cases of HA-CDI were identified using a clinical surveillance definition. Cases were matched to noncases of CDI (those without a positive C. difficile test or without clinical CDI) on propensity score and exposure time. The outcomes were attributable costs and length of stay of the hospitalization where the CDI was identified. Costs were expressed in 2018 Canadian dollars.

Of the 2,916 HA-CDI cases at facilities with microcosting data available, 98.4% were matched to 13,024 noncases of CDI. The total adjusted cost among HA-CDI cases was 27% greater than noncases of CDI (ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21–1.33). The mean attributable cost was $18,386 (CAD 2018; USD $14,190; 95% CI, $14,312–$22,460; USD $11,046-$17,334). The adjusted length of stay among HA-CDI cases was 13% greater than for noncases of CDI (ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.07–1.19), which corresponds to an extra 5.6 days (95% CI, 3.10–8.06) in length of hospital stay per HA-CDI case.

In this population-based, propensity score matched analysis using microcosting data, HA-CDI was associated with substantial attributable cost.

Both India and Nepal are prone to a wide range of natural and man-made disasters. Almost 85% of India’s area is vulnerable to one or more hazards, and more than 80% of the total population of Nepal is at risk of natural hazards. In terms of the number of people affected in reported disastrous events, India is in the top 10 and Nepal is in the top 20 globally. Over the last two decades, India and Nepal have taken steps to establish their respective National Disaster Management organizations, which provide essential disaster responses. However, key gaps still remain in trained clinical capacity for managing impacts from various disasters. Our review of the region has shown that large parts of the population suffer injuries, diseases, disabilities, psychosocial, and other health-related problems from disasters.

Develop disaster medicine clinical capacity to reduce morbidities and mortalities from disasters.

Independent published data and work undertaken by the lead author in various disasters in India and Nepal since 1993 formed the basis of establishing the Faculty of Disaster Medicine for South Asia. The Faculty of Disaster Medicine - India and Nepal (FDMIN) was launched from Pune in March 2015. This initiative is supported by the National Association of Primary Care (UK), Public Health England, Faculty of Pre-hospital Care of Royal College of Surgeons - Edinburgh and CRIMEDIM (Novara) - Italy.

FDMIN has international expert advisors and has outlined 16 modules training curriculum for health care professionals. FDMIN currently has partnerships for teaching disaster medicine program with 3 medical universities and 12 major health care providers. Six pilot training programmes have been conducted in Pune, Delhi, Chennai, and Kochin. Work is underway to submit an application to the Indian regulatory bodies for approval to establish a post-graduate diploma and Master’s for Disaster Medicine.