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Biomedical subjects

Amylou Dueck

Publications and source records attributed to Amylou Dueck.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The clinical significance of quality of life assessments in oncology: a summary for clinicians.

BACKGROUND: A series of six manuscripts with an introduction appeared in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, based upon the collective effort of 30 individuals with an interest and expertise in assessing the clinical significance of quality of life (QOL) assessments. The series of manuscripts described the state of the science of QOL assessments in oncology clinical research and practice and included extensive literature and theoretical justification for the continued inclusion of QOL in oncology clinical research and practice. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this paper is to produce a summary of these articles and to supplement these works with additional information that was gleaned from subsequent meetings and discussions of this material. The primary aim of this paper is to present a cogent and concise description for clinicians to facilitate the incorporation of QOL assessments into oncology clinical research and practice. The theoretical discussion is supplemented with an example of how the various ideas can be operationalized in an oncology clinical trial.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2005

Robust estimation of multivariate covariance components.

In many settings, such as interlaboratory testing, small area estimation in sample surveys, and heritability studies, investigators are interested in estimating covariance components for multivariate measurements. However, the presence of outliers can seriously distort estimates obtained using standard procedures such as maximum likelihood. We propose a procedure based on M-estimation for robustly estimating multivariate covariance components in the presence of outliers; the procedure applies to balanced and unbalanced data. We present an algorithm for computing the robust estimates and examine the performance of the estimator through a simulation study. The estimator is used to find covariance components and identify outliers in a study of variability of egg length and breadth measurements of American coots.

Algorithms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Is the use of QOL data really any different than other medical testing?

QOL data and routine clinical data such as laboratory data, whether used in clinical practice or research, can be viewed by clinicians in the same way. Both provide important patient-related information using instruments which are reliable and valid. Both require that the clinician or researcher understand how to utilize and interpret the data and gain comfort with doing so through experience. It is through this repeated usage of QOL data that clinicians will, hopefully, come to accept QOL data as a routine and invaluable part of their practice and view it just as they view other clinical data. Whether it is a clinician looking at QOL data or laboratory data for the first time, or a clinical researcher including QOL data in a clinical trial for the first time, training, repetitive use, and experience is necessary to feel comfortable with integrating the data to recommend an appropriate clinical action or to capture the meaningful effect.

Clinical Laboratory Techniques↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Integrating QOL assessments for clinical and research purposes.

QOL questionnaires can be a useful tool for patients, clinicians, and researchers. Although each has a different goal and investment in the data, each of these perspectives can contribute to truly collaborative care in which the needs of the patient are met.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗