Training Centre in Subacute Care (TRACS WA)
Beyond the Bed: Embedding Rehabilitation Principles
Journal Article Review Example
Adapted from Critical Review Form – Quantitative Studies: Law, M., Stewart, D., Pollock, N.,
Letts, L., Bosch, J & Westmorland, M., 1998 McMaster University.
Citation
King A. McCluskey, A., Schurr, K., The time use and activity levels of inpatients in a colocated acute and rehabilitation stroke unit: An observational study. Topics in Stroke
Rehabilitation 2011;18 (Suppl 1) 654-665.
Study Purpose
Was the study purpose clearly
stated?

Literature

Was relevant background literature
reviewed?
o No
Yes
o No
Yes
15 studies reviewed. Two Australian ones.
Patients spend one to two thirds of the day alone!
Design –
o RCT
o Cohort
o Single case design
o Before and after
o Case-control
o Cross-sectional
o Case study

Observational
Sample
N= 11
Sample size was small but 1778 observations.

Was the sample described in detail?
Yes
o No
Ethics support obtained
Ethics permission from area health service and
Sydney University
Consent procedures
Patients consented by staff. Family aware of research.
If patients had communication problems family were
able to consent on their behalf.
Intervention
o Yes ? applicable
Contamination was avoided
o No
Co intervention was avoided
o Yes ? applicable
o No
Results

Results were reported in terms of
statistical significance
o No
Drop outs were reported
o Yes
Yes
o No
No drop outs, but not all people who were eligible were
able to be consented because family were not available
to assist with consent.
Conclusions
Findings in this study consistent with other studies.
Patients were engaged in therapy only 12% of the day.
43% of the day alone.
Rest with visitor
Patients weren’t practicing therapy
Clinical Implications
Need to find more opportunities for patients to practice
therapies
Will the results help locally?
This could be relevant to any unit
I must check our unit out!
TRACS WA: For Community of Practice Beyond the Bed: Embedding Rehab Principles- March 2013