Category: Evidence Based Practice And Research

Learn about Osteoarthritis

Saurab Sharma | June 2, 2020

Osteoarthritis is among the most common and debilitating musculoskeletal conditions. There are so many inconsistencies we read on the internet on osteoarthritis management. To solve this problem, Prof. David Hunter from the University of Sydney, a world-leader on osteoarthritis research, has started a website, Joint Action to provide consistent and evidence-based messages on osteoarthritis. One […]

Low back pain – resources

Saurab Sharma | April 12, 2020

Today, I had a chance to participate in a discussion facilitated by Nepal Physiotherapy Association on low back pain over Zoom and was broadcasted on the association’s official Facebook Page. I was very happy with the active engagement of everyone (other speakers and audiences). Very interesting questions were raised, and as promised, I am sharing […]

Career advice 2: Should I pursue a PhD?

Saurab Sharma | October 30, 2019

Almost all (educated) parents in Nepal want their children to do a Ph.D. It is next to becoming an almighty in Nepal and other developing countries although 6-year post-PhD is still considered early career researcher in high-income countries. Although many want it, not many know a way to get there. In this post, I will […]

Low back pain update presentation at NEPTACON 2018

Saurab Sharma | December 3, 2018

I flew to Nepal last week to deliver an invited talk on “low back pain- update” at Nepal Physiotherapy Association Conference (NEPTACON 2018). I received an overwhelming response: houseful presence, many questions, request to conduct longer sessions demonstrating how to educate/reassure patients with low back pain.  Although I requested for an hour session, due to […]

Resources for Evidence-based Practice and Research

Saurab Sharma | July 12, 2018

I plan to compile resources that can be useful to students and clinicians to understand research and evidence-based practice in simple language. Here is one resource that is really valuable from the International Society of Evidence-Based Healthcare. Youtube link to videos  Books on Evidence-based practice Evidence-Based Practice Across the Health Professions – By Tammy Hoffmann, […]

Diagnostic triage in low back pain

Saurab Sharma | March 15, 2018

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems encountered by a clinician. For the purpose of screening and diagnosis of LBP, a diagnosis triage has been proposed for patients when first presenting to a clinician. The goal of diagnostic triage is to exclude non-spinal causes of back pain and to allocate […]

Where NOT to publish: Predatory Journals

Saurab Sharma | February 10, 2018

Research publication is a requirement for many reasons. For example, academicians need it for promotion, and or to maintain academic position such as Professorship; and researchers need it to demonstrate research and publication skills, which helps in securing grants. Similarly, students need it to secure a scholarship, and improve track record for career growth. But, […]

Pilot-testing versus field testing

Saurab Sharma | October 10, 2017

Pilot-testing and field testing sound similar and many recall both to be the same and use them interchangeably. However, there are distinct differences between the two. Pilot-testing is a qualitative inquiry on one or more small sample(s) representative of the population. Field testing on the other hand is a quantitative analysis done on a large […]

Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS)- Nepali version

Saurab Sharma | June 2, 2017

Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) is one of the most frequently used outcome measures to assess physical function in individuals with musculoskeletal pain conditions. It is an easy to use measure because it only asks patients three to five items that they find difficulty doing on a scale of 0 to 10. As patients choose […]

Pain Rating Scales- Nepali versions

Saurab Sharma | June 2, 2017

Pain rating scales Different measures exist to assess intensity of pain which are suited for different individuals based on age, education and culture. Read this previous blog on different measures for assessment of pain intensities. They are translated and adapted to assess pain intensity in Nepalese with pain. Numerical Pain Rating Scales are among the […]