Abstracts

Abstract

The abstracts service introduces readers to recent articles from a wide range of refereed journals, which may be of interest in respect of interprofessional practice, education and research, from any where in the world. The abstracts highlight the interprofessional nature of the article, within the context of a brief overview. We invite all readers to send us articles, which fit the criteria, and will acknowledge those who send the selected articles, in the Journal. (For address see end of the section.)

Tolley, E. E., & Sevary, L. (2006). Integrating behavioral and social science research into microbicide clinical trials: Challenges and opportunities. American Journal of Public Health, 96, 79 – 83.

(Abstracted by Anne Thompson)

Research in persons with HIV/AIDS traditionally has separated behavioral/social and pharmaceutical factors, primarily to assess the efficacy of individual interventions. The integration of these variables into a more comprehensive design would more accurately represent the environment in which effectiveness is assessed.

Topical microbicides, which are self-applied prior to sexual activity, have great potential for preventing or inhibiting HIV transmission. The usefulness of microbicides will depend on both pharmaceutical effectiveness and compliance by users. Significant challenges exist in implementing efficacy studies for this intervention. Issues such as product availability, other health problems, ease of access to health services, cost, social characteristics of the subjects, and data reliability will impact the ultimate success and advocacy of microbicide use in HIV prevention.

The authors make compelling arguments for increased communication and collaboration between disciplines to conduct effective research in this area. They appropriately identify questions best answered by an interprofessional team, as well as issues where fewer or single disciplines might be more suitable investigators. With the shrinking availability of research funds, Tolley and Sevary's guidelines may prove useful for determining the best mix of interprofessional teams for similar projects.

Addresses for sending articles for abstracting:

Bryony Lamb

Institute of Health & Social Care

1st Floor, Ashby House

Anglia Ruskin University

Rivermead Campus

Bishop Hall Lane

Chelmsford

Essex CM1 1SQ

UK

Tel. [phone] Ext. 4085

Fax. [phone]

E-mail: [email protected]

Anne Thompson

Department of Physical Therapy

Armstrong Atlantic State University

11935 Abercorn Street

Savannah

Georgia 31419

USA

Tel. [phone]

Fax. [phone]

E-mail: [email protected]