Looking back in time: conducting a cohort study of the long-term effects of treatment of adolescent tall girls with synthetic hormones

BMC Public Health

Research

George Werther¹  Alison J Venn²  Jo-Anne Rayner³  Fiona J Bruinsma³  Priscilla Pyett⁴ 

[1] Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes and Centre for Hormone Research, Royal Children's Hospital and Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Flemington Rd, 3052, Parkville, Victoria, Australia;Menzies Research Institute, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 23 Hobart, 7001, Tasmania, Australia;Mother and Child Health Research, La Trobe University, 215 Franklin St, 3000, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne, Level 5, 207 Bouverie Street, 3010, Carlton, Victoria, Australia;

关键词: Adult Height;    Tall Stature;    Psychosocial Outcome;    Public Health Research;    Paediatric Endocrinologist;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2458-11-S5-S7

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

ObjectivePublic health research is an endeavour that often involves multiple relationships, far-reaching collaborations, divergent expectations and various outcomes. Using the Tall Girls Study as a case study, this paper will present and discuss a number of methodological, ethical and legal challenges that have implications for other public health research.ApproachThe Tall Girls Study was the first study to examine the long-term health and psychosocial effects of oestrogen treatment for tall stature.ResultsIn undertaking this study the research team overcame many hurdles: in maintaining collaboration with treating clinicians and with the women they had treated as girls - groups with opposing points of view and different expectations; using private practice medical records to trace women who had been patients up to forty years earlier; and exploring potential legal issues arising from the collection of data related to treatment.ConclusionWhile faced with complex challenges, the Tall Girls Study demonstrated that forward planning, ongoing dialogue between all stakeholders, transparency of processes, and the strict adherence to group-developed protocols were keys to maintaining rigour while undertaking pragmatic research.ImplicationsPublic health research often occurs within political and social contexts that need to be considered in the planning and conduct of studies. The quality and acceptability of research findings is enhanced when stakeholders are engaged in all aspects of the research process.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Bruinsma et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011