PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation

Hyped-up or meditate: A scoping review of mindfulness-based group interventions for adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

The objective of this scoping review is to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness training in improving functioning in adolescents (aged 12-19 years) diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Previous research has demonstrated that psychological interventions improve functioning in a myriad of domains for individuals diagnosed with ADHD, such as attention training, interpersonal relationships, and social skills. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) are indicated as an intervention in attention training. It maybe argued that group based MBI programmes should begin early, for children and adolescents at a time that is critical in their development. Methods and reporting are in line with the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews, the protocol is preregistered in the (Open Science Framework register). The study outcomes included attention, impulsivity, and relationships of adolescents with ADHD. Findings demonstrated preliminary evidence for the use of group-based mindfulness interventions with adolescents continues to be nascent. Although studies reported positive results, the evidence of its effectiveness for adolescents with ADHD is inconclusive, due to limited studies available and the limitations of the study design. This scoping review provides a panorama of MBI for ADHD adolescents.

Digital technology for HIV self-management in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review of adolescents' preferences

Digital health technology interventions have shown promise in enhancing self-management practices among adolescents living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (ALHIV). The objective of this scoping review was to identify the preferences of ALHIV in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) concerning the use of digital health technology for the self-management of their chronic illness. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) (Plus with Full Text), Central (Cochrane Library), Epistemonikos, and Medline (EbscoHost), were searched. The review focused on English articles published before June 2023, that described a technology intervention for ALHIV specifically from LMIC. The screening and data extraction tool Covidence facilitated the scoping review process. Of the 413 studies identified, 10 were included in the review. Digital health technology interventions can offer enhanced support, education, and empowerment for ALHIV in LMICs. However, barriers like limited access, stigma, and privacy concerns must be addressed. Tailoring interventions to local contexts and integrating technology into healthcare systems can optimize their effectiveness.Review registration: OSF REGISTRIES (https://archive.org/details/osf-registrations-eh3jz-v1).

Ensuring best practice in genomics education: A scoping review of genomics education needs assessments and evaluations

A health workforce capable of implementing genomic medicine requires effective genomics education. Genomics education interventions developed for health professions over the last two decades, and their impact, are variably described in the literature. To inform an evaluation framework for genomics education, we undertook an exploratory scoping review of published needs assessments for, and/or evaluations of, genomics education interventions for health professionals from 2000 to 2023. We retrieved and screened 4,659 records across the two searches with 363 being selected for full-text review and consideration by an interdisciplinary working group. 104 articles were selected for inclusion in the review-60 needs assessments, 52 genomics education evaluations, and eight describing both. Included articles spanned all years and described education interventions in over 30 countries. Target audiences included medical specialists, nurses/midwives, and/or allied health professionals. Evaluation questions, outcomes, and measures were extracted, categorized, and tabulated to iteratively compare measures across stages of genomics education evaluation: planning (pre-implementation), development and delivery (implementation), and impact (immediate, intermediate, or long-term outcomes). They are presented here along with descriptions of study designs. We document the wide variability in evaluation approaches and terminology used to define measures and note that few articles considered downstream (long-term) outcomes of genomics education interventions. Alongside the evaluation framework for genomics education, results from this scoping review form part of a toolkit to help educators to undertake rigorous genomics evaluation that is fit for purpose and can contribute to the growing evidence base of the contribution of genomics education in implementation strategies for genomic medicine.

From illness to inactivity: Exploring the influence of physical diseases on youth Not in Education, Employment, or Training status in Europe: A systematic literature review

INTRODUCTION

In 2010, 33% of young Europeans (ages 15-29) were Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET), rising to 40 million by 2015. Those with disabilities or health challenges are 40% more likely to be NEET. Hence, we conducted a systematic search to identify health challenges as NEET risk factors.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted across four databases on February 21, 2023, with an update on January 15, 2024. Data collected after 1980 were included. The main findings from this search concerning risk factors are summarized in a chart.

RESULTS

A total of 33,314 articles were screened, resulting in the inclusion of 32 articles in this review. The review identified multiple physical risk factors associated with NEET status, which were categorized into two primary domains: congenital conditions and birth-related factors, for example, factors encompassed neonatal life in utero and experiences related to birth, and health conditions during childhood and adolescence, for example, survivors of childhood cancer and other severe health conditions during childhood and adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight that varying congenital conditions and birth-related factors as well as diseases from childhood to adulthood challenges or even hinder educational and job market participation, this emphasizing the importance of targeted support for children facing health challenges. These findings highlight the immediate requirement for comprehensive interventions specifically designed for children and adolescents who are for example, preterm, have experienced severe illness, or are coping with chronic diseases. These interventions should address the challenges encountered by youth in NEET. However, limited evidence on the impact of health conditions on NEET status underscores the necessity for further research into both short- and long-term effects.

Shifting roles of community health workers in the prevention and management of noncommunicable disease during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review

Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a crucial role in the prevention and management of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The COVID-19 pandemic triggered the implementation of crisis-driven responses that involved shifts in the roles of CHWs in terms of delivering services for people with NCDs. Strategically aligning these shifts with health systems is crucial to improve NCD service delivery. The aim of this review was to identify and describe COVID-19-triggered shifting roles of CHWs that are promising in terms of NCD service delivery. We searched Ovid Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science and CABI for Global Health for relevant articles published between 1 January 2020 and 22 February 2022. Studies that were conducted within a COVID-19 context and focused on the shifted roles of CHWs in NCD service delivery were included. We used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to report the findings. A total of 25 articles from 14 countries were included in this review. We identified 12 shifted roles of CHWs in NCD service delivery during COVID-19, which can be categorized in three dimensions: 'enhanced' role of CHWs that includes additional tasks such as medication delivery; 'extended' roles such as the delivery of NCD services at household level and in remote communities; and 'enabled' roles through the use of digital health technologies. Health and digital literacy of people with NCDs, access to internet connectivity for people with NCDs, and the social and organizational context where CHWs work influenced the implementation of the shifted roles of CHWs. In conclusion, the roles of CHWs have shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic to include the delivery of additional NCD services at home and community levels, often supported by digital technologies. Given the importance of the shifting roles in the prevention and management of NCDs, adaptation and integration of these shifted roles into the routine activities of CHWs in the post-COVID period is recommended.

Factors influencing long-term care facility performance during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Some LTCFs performed better than others at slowing COVID-19 transmission. Emerging literature has mostly described infection prevention and control strategies implemented by LTCFs during the pandemic. However, there is a need for a comprehensive review of factors that influenced the performance of LTCFs in containing COVID-19 spread to inform public health policy.

OBJECTIVE

To build on the existing literature, we conducted a scoping review of factors that influenced LTCF performance during the COVID-19 pandemic using a multidimensional conceptual framework of performance.

METHODS

We followed the Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology for scoping reviews. We queried CINAHL, MEDLINE (Ovid), CAIRN, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed literature in English or French published between January 1st, 2020 and December 31st, 2021. Retrieved records were screened for context (COVID-19 pandemic), population (LTCFs), interest (internal and external factors that influenced LTCF performance), and outcomes (dimensions of performance: equity, accessibility, reactivity, safety, continuity, efficacy, viability, efficiency). Descriptive characteristics of included articles were summarized. Dimensions of performance as well as internal (e.g., facility characteristics) and external (e.g., visitors) factors identified to have influenced LTCF performance were presented.

RESULTS

We retained 140 articles of which 68% were classified as research articles, 47% originated in North America, and most covered a period between March and July 2020. The most frequent dimensions of performance were "efficacy" (75.7%) and "safety" (75.7%). The most common internal factors were "organizational context" (72.9%) and "human resources" (62.1%), and the most common external factors were "visitors" (27.1%) and "public health guidelines" (25.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our review contributes to a global interest in understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable populations residing and working in LTCFs. Though a myriad of factors were reported, a lack of randomized controlled trials makes it impossible to establish causality between the identified factors and LTCF performance. The use of a multidimensional framework can be recommended to evaluate healthcare system performance not merely in terms of efficacy and safety, but alongside other critical dimensions such as efficiency and equity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Research Registry ID: researchregistry7026.

Relationship between patient safety culture and patient experience in hospital settings: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Measures of patient safety culture and patient experience are both commonly utilised to evaluate the quality of healthcare services, including hospitals, but the relationship between these two domains remains uncertain. In this study, we aimed to explore and synthesise published literature regarding the relationships between these topics in hospital settings.

METHODS

This study was performed using the five stages of Arksey and O'Malley's Framework, refined by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Searches were conducted in the CINAHL, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SciELO and Scopus databases. Further online search on the websites of pertinent organisations in Australia and globally was conducted. Data were extracted against predetermined criteria.

RESULTS

4512 studies were initially identified; 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. Several positive statistical relationships between patient safety culture and patient experience domains were identified. Communication and teamwork were the most influential factors in the relationship between patient safety culture and patient experience. Managers and clinicians had a positive view of safety and a positive relationship with patient experience, but this was not the case when managers alone held such views. Qualitative methods offered further insights into patient safety culture from patients' and families' perspectives.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that the patient can recognise safety-related issues that the hospital team may miss. However, studies mostly measured staff perspectives on patient safety culture and did not always include patient experiences of patient safety culture. Further, the relationship between patient safety culture and patient experience is generally identified as a statistical relationship, using quantitative methods. Further research assessing patient safety culture alongside patient experience is essential for providing a more comprehensive picture of safety. This will help to uncover issues and other factors that may have an indirect effect on patient safety culture and patient experience.

Young onset dementia and driving cessation: a scoping review of lived experiences

BACKGROUND

Driving cessation is one of the most challenging life transitions, associated with multiple negative consequences for individuals living with late-onset dementia. This paper extends the literature as to date there is no published review that details the experiences of people living with young onset dementia ("YOD").

METHODS

A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted using the scoping review methodology.

RESULTS

Ten studies were included for full text review of 1634 initially identified through database searching. The results of the included articles indicated areas of concern for people living with YOD and their family members including, loss of independence; role change; threat to self-identify; feelings of isolation, grief; acceptance; predictors of driving cessation.

CONCLUSION

There is a lack of robust evidence related to driving cessation and the experiences of people living with YOD. No published paper reported psychosocial interventions specifically targeted at supporting persons with YOD through driving cessation.

Collaboration, coordination and communication as facilitators of transitions for patients with advanced cancer: a scoping review linked to the Pal-Cycles project

BACKGROUND

Person-centred care is becoming increasingly recognised as an important element of palliative care. The current review syntheses evidence in relation to transitions in advanced cancer patients with palliative care needs. The review focuses on specific elements which will inform the Pal-Cycles programme, for patients with advanced cancer transitioning from hospital care to community care. Elements of transitional models for cancer patients may include, identification of palliative care needs, compassionate communication with the patient and family members, collaborative effort to establish a multi-dimensional treatment plan, review and evaluation of the treatment plan and identification of the end of life phase.

METHODS

A scoping review of four databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO) was conducted to identify peer-reviewed studies published from January 2013 to October, 2022. A further hand-search of references to locate additional relevant studies was also undertaken. Inclusion criteria involved cancer patients transitions of care with a minimum of two of components from those listed above. Studies were excluded if they were literature reviews, if transition of care was related to cancer survivors, involved non-cancer patients, had paediatric population, if the transition implied a change of therapy and or a lack of physical transit to a non-hospital place of care. This review was guided by Arksey and O'Malley's framework and narrative synthesis was used.

RESULTS

Out of 5695 records found, 14 records were selected. Transition models identified: increases in palliative care consultations, hospice referrals, reduction in readmission rates and the ability to provide end of life care at home. Transition models highlight emotional and spiritual support for patients and families. No uniform model of transition was apparent, this depends on the healthcare system where it is implemented.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight the importance of collaboration, coordination and communication as central mechanisms for transitional model for patients with advanced cancer. This may require careful planning and will need to be tailored to the contexts of each healthcare system.

Data linkage studies of primary care utilisation after release from prison: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Primary care plays a central role in most, if not all, health care systems including the care of vulnerable populations such as people who have been incarcerated. Studies linking incarceration records to health care data can improve understanding about health care access following release from prison. This review maps evidence from data-linkage studies about primary care use after prison release.

METHODS

The framework by Arksey and O'Malley and guidance by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) were used in this review. This scoping review followed methods published in a study protocol. Searches were performed (January 2012-March 2023) in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science Core Collection using key-terms relating to two areas: (i) people who have been incarcerated and (ii) primary care. Using eligibility criteria, two authors independently screened publication titles and abstracts (step 1), and subsequently, screened full text publications (step 2). Discrepancies were resolved with a third author. Two authors independently charted data from included publications. Findings were mapped by methodology, key findings and gaps in research.

RESULTS

The database searches generated 1,050 publications which were screened by title and abstract. Following this, publications were fully screened (n = 63 reviewer 1 and n = 87 reviewer 2), leading to the inclusion of 17 publications. Among the included studies, primary care use after prison release was variable. Early contact with primary care services after prison release (e.g. first month) was positively associated with an increased health service use, but an investigation found that a large proportion of individuals did not access primary care during the first month. The quality of care was found to be largely inadequate (measured continuity of care) for moderate multimorbidity. There were lower levels of colorectal and breast cancer screening among people released from custody. The review identified studies of enhanced primary care programmes for individuals following release from prison, with studies reporting a reduction in reincarceration and criminal justice system costs.

CONCLUSIONS

This review has suggested mixed evidence regarding primary care use after prison release and has highlighted challenges and areas of suboptimal care. Further research has been discussed in relation to the scoping review findings.

Integrating programme theory into the development of a core outcome set for technology-assisted counselling interventions in dementia: study protocol of the ProCOS study

INTRODUCTION

Due to the increasing number of persons with dementia, the need for family and professional support is growing. Counselling services aim to support family dementia caregivers and the use of information and communication technology may improve accessibility to counselling. The effectiveness of technology-based counselling in dementia remains unclear so far. Few randomised controlled trials have been conducted assessing heterogeneous outcomes. Theoretical underpinnings for the development and evaluation of these complex interventions were lacking in most cases. We therefore aim to formulate an initial programme theory of a technology-assisted counselling intervention for family dementia caregivers and to create the data basis for the consensus process of a core outcome set.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The methodological approaches for developing a programme theory and a core outcome set will be integrated. In a scoping review, data on the characteristics, theoretical foundations of counselling interventions and outcomes of clinical studies will be collected. The lifeworld perception of relevant stakeholders on the importance of counselling in family caregiving will be explored in a phenomenological substudy using semistructured interviews. The synthesis of data from the literature review and the qualitative substudy will be performed by developing a logic model. Mechanisms of action and assumed causal relationships are explicated in the elements of programme theory (theory of change, outcomes chain and theory of action). An initial programme theory is then formulated. In addition, a 'long list' of outcomes and assessment instruments will be compiled.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The ethics committee of the Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg approved the study protocol (no. 2023-093).Findings will be reported to participants and the funding organisation and disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and at national and international conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

The ProCOS (Development and evaluation of a technology-assissted counselling intervention for family caregivers of persons with dementia - Programme theory and preparation of a core outcome set) project is registered with the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials initiative (https://www.comet-initiative.org/Studies/Details/2884).

Sexual Role Functioning, Sexual Satisfaction, and Intimacy After Surviving Burn Injuries: A Scoping Review of Associated Factors, Screening Tools, and Burn Care Staff Preparedness

Although concerns regarding intimacy abound among burn survivors, these are often not captured during rehabilitation. Considering that sexuality remains a part of humans suggests a critical need to pay attention to this aspect. To guide further work, this review sought to examine existing studies to ascertain what is known about factors associated with sexual role functioning, sexual satisfaction, and intimacy, the scree ning tools employed, and the preparedness of burn care staff in initiating discussions about these. We employed a scoping review approach with extensive searches in 4 peer-reviewed databases for studies reporting on the phenomenon, published in English from 2010 to date. A total of 17 studies comprising of 13 studies reporting on the burn survivors and 4 reporting on burn care staff were retained. Though we identified both sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with postburn sexual role functioning, sexual satisfaction, and intimacy, the existing evidence appear limited which made it rather difficult to draw definitive conclusions. The sexuality subscale of the Burn-Specific Health Scale-Brief emerged as the commonly used screening/assessment tool. The evidence suggest that burn care staff are generally unprepared to initiate discussions regarding sexual role functioning, sexual satisfaction, and intimacy and often, there is no personnel assigned to this task. There is a great need for studies to strengthen the evidence base regarding the factors associated with postburn sexual role functioning, sexual satisfaction, and intimacy. In addition, it is imperative to build capacity of burn care practitioners with the requisite know-how needed to navigate through sexual issues.

Management and outcome of intracranial fungal infections in children and adults in Africa: a scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Intracranial fungal infections' (IcFIs) varying clinical manifestations lead to difficulties in diagnosis and treatment. African populations are disproportionately affected by the high burden of the disease. There is a lack of clarity as to the diagnostic and treatment modalities employed across the continent. In this review, we aim to detail the management, and outcome of IcFIs across Africa.

METHODS

This scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley framework. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, African Index Medicus, and African Journals Online were searched for relevant articles from database inception to August 10th, 2021. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines were used to report the findings of the review.

RESULTS

Of the 5,779 records identified, 131 articles were included. The mean age was 35.6 years, and the majority (56.4%) were males. The majority (n = 8,433/8,693, 97.0%) of IcFIs presented as a meningitis, the most common communicable predisposing factor of IcFIs was HIV/AIDS (n = 7,815/8,693, 89.9%), and the most common non-communicable risk factor was diabetes mellitus (n = 32/8,693, 0.4%). Cryptococcus species was the most common (n = 8,428/8,693, 97.0%) causative organism. The most commonly used diagnostic modality was cerebrospinal (CSF) cultures (n = 4,390/6,830, 64.3%) for diffuse IcFIs, and MRI imaging (n = 12/30, 40%) for focal IcFIs. The most common treatment modality was medical management with antifungals only (n = 4,481/8,693, 51.6%). The most commonly used antifungal agent in paediatric, and adult patients was amphotericin B and fluconazole dual therapy (51.5% vs 44.9%). The overall mortality rate was high (n = 3,475/7,493, 46.3%), and similar for both adult and paediatric patients (47.8% vs 42.1%).

CONCLUSION

Most IcFIs occurred in immunosuppressed individuals, and despite the new diagnostic techniques, CSF culture was mostly used in Africa. Antifungals regimens used was similar between children and adults. The outcome of IcFIs in Africa was poor for both paediatric and adult patients.

Family-centred care interventions in neonatal intensive care units: a scoping review of randomised controlled trials providing a menu of interventions, outcomes and measurement methods

BACKGROUND

Benefits of different types of family-centred care (FCC) interventions in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) have been reported. However, a comprehensive review of existing FCC intervention studies was lacking.

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed at synthesising the characteristics of FCC interventions, related outcomes and measurement methods in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in NICU, and providing menus of options to favour implementation and further research.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library up to 31 January 2022. Interventions were mapped according to five categories as defined by a previous Cochrane review. We described outcome types, measurement populations, measurement methods and timelines. Subgroup analyses were also performed.

RESULTS

Out of 6583 studies identified, 146 met eligibility criteria. Overall, 52 (35.6%) RCTs tested more than one category of intervention, with a large variety of combinations, with the most frequent category of intervention being the educational (138 RCTs, 94.5%). We identified a total of 77 different intervention packages, and RCTs comparing the same interventions were lacking. The 146 RCTs reported on 425 different outcomes, classified in 13 major categories with parental mental health (61 RCTs, 41.8% of total RCTs) being the most frequent category in parents, and neurobehavioural/developmental outcomes being the most frequent category in newborns (62 RCTs, 42.5%). For several categories of outcomes almost every RCT used a different measurement method. Educational interventions targeting specifically staff, fathers, siblings and other family members were lacking or poorly described. Only one RCT measured outcomes in health workers, two in siblings and none considered other family members.

CONCLUSIONS

A large variety of interventions, outcomes and measurement methods were used in FCC studies in NICU. The derived menus of options should be helpful for researchers and policy makers to identify interventions most suitable in each setting and to further standardise research methods.

The usefulness of patient-reported outcome measures in decision making in Chagas cardiomyopathy: a scoping review

Chagas cardiomyopathy (ChC) presents many biopsychosocial complexities, highlighting the need to have patient self-report questions. This study demonstrates the scope of the use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in patients with ChC and highlights the main research gaps. This is a scoping review and the search strategy was performed in the Online Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (MEDLINE), Excerpta Medica database (EMBASE), Accumulated Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Central, Latin American Literature and Caribbean in Health Sciences (LILACS) and Diagnostic Test Accuracy (DITA). The search identified 4484 studies and 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. The Short-Form of 36 items (SF-36) had potential prognostic value and the ability to identify systolic dysfunction. The Human Activity Profile was able to screen for functional impairment, and the New York Heart Association showed potential prognostic value. The SF-36 and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire were responsive to interventions. The pharmaceutical care affected adherence to treatment as assessed by the Morisky score and also for SF-36. Despite the increased use of PROMs, there are still a large number of gaps in the literature, and further studies using PROMs are needed.

Health and non-health benefits and equity impacts of individual-level economic relief programs during epidemics/pandemics in high income settings: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Economic relief programs are strategies designed to sustain societal welfare and population health during a regional or global scale infectious disease outbreak. While economic relief programmes are considered essential during a regional or global health crisis, there is no clear consensus in the literature about their health and non-health benefits and their impact on promoting equity.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review, searching eight electronic databases from January 01, 2001, to April 3, 2023, using text words and subject headings for recent pathogens (coronavirus (COVID-19), Ebola, Influenza, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), HIV, West Nile, and Zika), and economic relief programs; but restricted eligibility to high-income countries and selected diseases due to volume. Title and abstract screening were conducted by trained reviewers and Distiller AI software. Data were extracted in duplicates by two trained reviewers using a pretested form, and key findings were charted using a narrative approach.

RESULTS

We identified 27,263 de-duplicated records, of which 50 were eligible. Included studies were on COVID-19 and Influenza, published between 2014 and 2023. Zero eligible studies were on MERS, SARS, Zika, Ebola, or West Nile Virus. We identified seven program types of which cash transfer (n = 12) and vaccination or testing incentive (n = 9) were most common. Individual-level economic relief programs were reported to have varying degrees of impact on public health measures, and sometimes affected population health outcomes. Expanding paid sick leave programs had the highest number of studies reporting health-related outcomes and positively impacted public health measures (isolation, vaccination uptake) and health outcomes (case counts and the utilization of healthcare services). Equity impact was most often reported for cash transfer programs and incentive for vaccination programs. Positive effects on general well-being and non-health outcomes included improved mental well-being and quality of life, food security, financial resilience, and job security.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that individual-level economic relief programs can have significant impacts on public health measures, population health outcomes and equity. As countries prepare for future pandemics, our findings provide evidence to stakeholders to recognize health equity as a fundamental public health goal when designing pandemic preparedness policies.

Care models for individuals with chronic multimorbidity: lessons for low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUND

Patients with multiple long-term conditions requires understanding the existing care models to address their complex and multifaceted health needs. However, current literature lacks a comprehensive overview of the essential components, impacts, challenges, and facilitators of these care models, prompting this scoping review.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews guideline. Our search encompassed articles from PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar. The World Health Organization's health system framework was utilized to synthesis the findings. This framework comprises six building blocks (service delivery, health workforce, health information systems, access to essential medicines, financing, and leadership/governance) and eight key characteristics of good service delivery models (access, coverage, quality, safety, improved health, responsiveness, social and financial risk protection, and improved efficiency). Findings were synthesized qualitatively to identify components, impacts, barriers, and facilitators of care models.

RESULTS

A care model represents various collective interventions in the healthcare delivery aimed at achieving desired outcomes. The names of these care models are derived from core activities or major responsibilities, involved healthcare teams, diseases conditions, eligible clients, purposes, and care settings. Notable care models include the Integrated, Collaborative, Integrated-Collaborative, Guided, Nurse-led, Geriatric, and Chronic care models, as well as All-inclusive Care Model for the Elderly, IMPACT clinic, and Geriatric Patient-Aligned Care Teams (GeriPACT). Other care models (include Care Management Plus, Value Stream Mapping, Preventive Home Visits, Transition Care, Self-Management, and Care Coordination) have supplemented the main ones. Care models improved quality of care (such as access, patient-centeredness, timeliness, safety, efficiency), cost of care, and quality of life for patients that were facilitated by presence of shared mission, system and function integration, availability of resources, and supportive tools.

CONCLUSIONS

Care models were implemented for the purpose of enhancing quality of care, health outcomes, cost efficiency, and patient satisfaction by considering careful recruitment of eligible clients, appropriate selection of service delivery settings, and robust organizational arrangements involving leadership roles, healthcare teams, financial support, and health information systems. The distinct team compositions and their roles in service provision processes differentiate care models.

Mosques and Public Health Promotion: A Scoping Review of Faith-Driven Health Interventions

BACKGROUND

Religious institutions play a crucial role in health promotion and hold significant influence in the public health field.

AIM

The aim of this review is to examine outcomes of health-promoting interventions involving the use of mosques as the intervention venue, its role in promoting health behavior change, and the role of theory in each intervention.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted across 17 databases for relevant publications published up to and including August 2023 that involved the use of mosques as the intervention venue. Fourteen articles met inclusion criteria and were reviewed.

RESULTS

The studies featured a wide range of interventions. However, only eight of these studies integrated theoretical frameworks into their approaches, indicating a need for more structured guidance in this field. These theoretical frameworks included Participatory Action Research (PAR), the theory of planned behavior, behavior-change constructs, the patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) framework, and prolonged exposure techniques within Islamic principles. The review identified three main health-focused intervention categories: mental health, prevention, and communication, each providing valuable insights into initiatives within Muslim communities.

CONCLUSIONS

This review underscores the significance of inclusive and culturally sensitive health interventions, emphasizing the effectiveness of faith-based approaches in improving health outcomes, promoting positive health behaviors, and addressing communication and cultural barriers. The reviews findings stress the need for further research that incorporates theoretical frameworks and tailored interventions to meet the specific cultural needs of these communities, ultimately contributing to enhanced well-being within them.

Foregut Erosion Related to Biomedical Implants: A Scoping Review

Introduction: Biomedical devices implanted transabdominally have gained popularity over the past 50 years in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, paraesophageal hiatal hernia, and morbid obesity. Device-related foregut erosions (FEs) represent a challenging event that demands special attention owing to the potential of severe postoperative complications and death. Purpose: The aim was to provide an overview of full-thickness foregut injury leading to erosion associated with four types of biomedical devices. Methods: The study was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were queried until December 31, 2023. Eligible studies included all articles reporting data, management, and outcomes on device-related FE. Results: Overall, 132 articless were included for a total of 1292 patients suffering from device-related FE. Four different devices were included: the Angelchik antireflux prosthesis (AAP) (n = 25), nonabsorbable mesh for crural repair (n = 60), adjustable gastric banding (n = 1156), and magnetic sphincter augmentation device (n = 51). The elapsed time from device implant to erosion ranged from 1 to 480 months. Most commonly reported symptoms were dysphagia and epigastric pain, while acute presentation was reported rarely and mainly for gastric banding. The technique for device removal evolved from more invasive open approaches toward minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques. Esophagectomy and gastrectomy were mostly reported for nonabsorbable mesh FE. Overall mortality was .17%. Conclusions: Device-related FE is rare but may occur many years after AAP, nonabsorbable mesh, adjustable gastric banding, and magnetic sphincter augmentation implant. FE-related mortality is infrequent, however, increased postoperative morbidity and the need for esophagogastric resection were observed for nonabsorbable mesh-reinforced cruroplasty.

The sexual and reproductive health knowledge of women in Australia: A scoping review

ISSUE ADDRESSED

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge influences health literacy and promotes positive health behaviours. This scoping review explores the SRH knowledge of women in Australia and reports on knowledge assessment, ways of learning, enablers and barriers, and interventions to improve knowledge.

METHODS

Seven databases were searched for eligible articles published in English between 2012 and 2022.

RESULTS

Eighty-five sources were included for analysis. Data were mapped by knowledge topic and population group and charted against four review objectives. Assessment of knowledge was the primary focus in 59% of sources. Two sources used a validated knowledge assessment tool. Knowledge was assessed using self-assessment, a measurement of correctness, or both. Women learnt about SRH through a range of sources, including healthcare providers, peers, family, internet, and school. Enablers and barriers spanned information content, delivery, timing, accessibility, interactions with those providing information, cultural and gendered norms, pre-migration experiences, and functional health literacy. Nine sources reported on interventions to facilitate SRH knowledge.

CONCLUSIONS

This review identified topics, population groups, and gaps in assessment of SRH knowledge of women in Australia. Overall, the measurement of women's SRH knowledge is largely conducted using unvalidated tools focusing on specific topics. SO WHAT?: It is recommended a validated tool be developed to comprehensively assess the SRH knowledge of women in Australia allowing for intersectional population analysis and exploration of knowledge conceptualisation. This would enable assessment of interventions aiming to improve SRH knowledge thereby facilitating improved health literacy and outcomes.

Characteristics of intervention studies on family-centred care in neonatal intensive care units: a scoping review of randomised controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Different definitions of family-centred care (FCC) exist in the newborn setting, and many FCC interventions have been tested, while a comprehensive review synthesising characteristics of existing intervention studies is still lacking.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims at summarising the characteristics of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on FCC interventions in neonatal intensive care units.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library up to 31 January 2022, and reference lists of included studies and other reviews. Interventions were grouped into five categories according to a previous Cochrane review: (1) family support, (2) educational, (3) communication, (4) environmental interventions and (5) family-centred policies. Subgroup analyses by time period (RCTs published before vs after 2016) and by country income (based on the World Bank Classification) were conducted.

RESULTS

Out of 6583 retrieved studies, 146 RCTs met the eligibility criteria, with 53 (36.3%) RCTs published after 2016. Overall, 118 (80.8%) RCTs were conducted in high-income countries, 28 (19.1%) in middle-income countries and none in low-income countries. Only two RCTs were multicountry. Although mothers were the most frequent caregiver involved, fathers were included in 41 RCTs (28.1%). Very few studies were conducted in at-term babies (nine RCTs); siblings (two RCTs) and other family members (two RCTs), maternity care units (two RCTs). The role of health professionals was unclear in 65 (44.5%) RCTs. A large variety of intervention combinations was tested, with 52 (35.6%) RCTs testing more than 1 category of interventions, and 24 (16.4%) RCTs including all 5 categories.

CONCLUSION

There is a large and rising number of RCTs on FCC interventions in neonatal intensive care units, with specific research gaps. The large variety of FCC interventions, their high complexity, the need to tailor them to the local context and major gaps in implementation suggest that implementation research is the current priority.

Supported decision-making with persons with dementia: a scoping review protocol in partnership with lived experts

INTRODUCTION

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities asserts that all persons with disabilities have the right to receive the support they require to participate in decisions that affect them. Yet, persons with dementia continue to be excluded from decisions on issues that matter to them. Our planned scoping review seeks to address this gap by documenting the current knowledge on supported decision-making for persons with dementia and informing the next steps for research and practice.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will use Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) six-stage framework to guide our review of the English scientific literature (2005 onwards), searching the following databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, AgeLine and the Social Science Abstracts. Our review will focus on primary studies examining supported decision-making for persons with dementia, including the voices of those with dementia. Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews, we will identify (1) domains of supported decision-making discussed in the empirical literature and (2) practices/factors that facilitate or inhibit supported decision-making. Consultations with persons with dementia and their care partners will provide insights into lived experiences, helping identify gaps between research literature and lived realities. The preliminary title and abstract search for eligible articles were conducted between August and October 2023 and updated in June 2024, yielding 56 eligible articles for review.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This scoping review will be conducted following the standards of the Tri-Council Policy Statement for Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (1998 with 2000, 2002 and 2005 amendments). The procedures for eliciting feedback from persons with dementia and their care partners were approved by the Office of Research Ethics Board at McGill University (Reference # 23-08-048). Dissemination of review findings to persons with dementia and care partners will occur during ongoing community consultations. Visual aids and brief lay summaries will be used to facilitate input and dialogue. Dissemination to the broader practice and research communities will include workshops conducted in collaboration with study partners and presentations and publications in peer-reviewed forums.

Patient engagement in the development and implementation of navigation services: a scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Patient navigation, a complex health intervention meant to address widespread fragmentation across the healthcare landscape, has been widely adopted internationally. This rapid uptake in patient navigation has led to a broadening of the service's reach to include those of different social positions and different health conditions. Despite the popularity and prevalence of patient navigation programmes, the extent of patient involvement and/or partnership in their construction has yet to be articulated. This scoping review will explore and describe the extent to which patients have been engaged in the development and/or implementation of patient navigation programmes to date.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This scoping review will adhere to the Arksey and O'Malley framework for conducting scoping reviews. The electronic databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, SocINDEX and Scopus were searched in September 2023 using terms related to patient navigation and programme implementation. Inclusion criteria stipulate that the studies must: (1) include an intervention labelled as 'navigation' in a healthcare setting and (2) describe patient engagement in the design, development and/or implementation process of said patient navigation programme. To assess study eligibility, two reviewers will independently read through the titles and abstracts, followed by the full texts, of each study identified from the search strategy to determine whether they meet inclusion criteria. Reviewers will then extract data from the included studies, present descriptive study characteristics in tables, and perform qualitative content analysis.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This review does not require ethics approval as data will be collated exclusively from peer-reviewed articles and thesis dissertations. A manuscript summarising the results of the review will be written and submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. The review will map aspects of programme development that have repeatedly utilised patient perspectives and areas where engagement has lagged. This review will also depict how patient engagement varies across programme characteristics.

Evidence for Altered White Matter Organisation After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review on the Use of Diffusion MRI and Blood-Based Biomarkers to Investigate Acute Pathology and Relationship to Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is the most common form of traumatic brain injury. Post-concussive symptoms typically resolve after a few weeks although up to 20% of people experience these symptoms for >3 months, termed persistent-post concussive symptoms (PPCS). Subtle white matter (WM) microstructural damage is thought to underlie neurological and cognitive deficits experienced post-mTBI. Evidence suggests that diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) and blood-based biomarkers could be used as surrogate markers of WM organisation. We conducted a scoping review according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines, aiming to collate evidence for the use of dMRI and/or blood-based biomarkers of WM organisation, in mTBI and PPCS, and document relationships between WM biomarkers and symptoms. We focused specifically on biomarkers of axonal or myelin integrity post-mTBI. Biomarkers excluded from this review therefore included: astroglial, perivascular, endothelial and inflammatory markers. A literature search performed across four databases: EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar and ProQuest identified 100 records: 68 analysed dMRI, 28 assessed blood-based biomarkers and 4 used both. Blood biomarker studies commonly assessed axonal cytoskeleton proteins (i.e. tau); dMRI studies assessed measures of WM organisation (i.e. fractional anisotropy). Significant biomarker alterations were frequently associated with heightened symptom burden and prolonged recovery time post-injury. These data suggests that dMRI and blood-based biomarkers may be useful proxies of WM organisation, though few studies assessed these complementary measures in parallel and the relationship between modalities remains unclear. Further studies are warranted to assess the benefit of a combined biomarker approach in evaluating alterations to WM organisation after mTBI.

Linguistically responsive learning and teaching for non-native speakers in undergraduate nursing education: a scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Non-native-speaking nursing students as well as faculty, preceptors and mentors face specific issues related to language in undergraduate nursing education. A better understanding of the language experiences, needs, requirements, assessments and support activities will guide linguistically responsive learning and teaching and will direct future curriculum development. This scoping review aims to examine and map the extent of literature related to linguistically responsive learning and teaching for non-native speakers in undergraduate nursing education and to describe the lived experiences, barriers and facilitators, language needs, assessment tools and supportive interventions.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). In May 2023, a preliminary search was conducted. The comprehensive search will include MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL (EBSCO), ERIC (EBSCO) and MLA (EBSCO). OpenGrey (DANS) and reference lists of the included articles will be searched for grey literature and additional articles. Two independent reviewers will screen titles and abstracts, then review the full texts of articles. Data will be extracted using a data extraction form and will be presented in figures, tables and narrative syntheses, in line with the review questions. This review will include articles that describe the experiences of non-native-speaking nursing students, faculty or preceptors in undergraduate nursing education and clinical practice environment. Articles that report on language requirements, needs and assessment tools will also be considered as well as articles reporting on supportive activities and interventions within the study programmes. Articles related to exchange students or programmes will be excluded.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

No ethical approval is required. The findings of the review will be disseminated through peer-review publication as well as oral and poster presentations at scientific conferences.

Next-generation sequencing in oncology: challenges in economic evaluations

INTRODUCTION

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) identifies genetic variants to inform personalized treatment plans. Insufficient evidence of cost-effectiveness impedes integration of NGS into routine cancer care. The complexity of personalized treatment challenges conventional economic evaluation. Clearly delineating challenges informs future cost-effectiveness analyses to better value and contextualize health, preference-, and equity-based outcomes.

AREAS COVERED

We conducted a scoping review to characterize the applied methods and outcomes of economic evaluations of NGS in oncology and identify existing challenges. We included 27 articles published since 2016 from a search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Identified challenges included defining the evaluative scope, managing evidentiary limitations including lack of causal evidence, incorporating preference-based utility, and assessing distributional and equity-based impacts. These challenges reflect the difficulty of generating high-quality clinical effectiveness and real-world evidence (RWE) for NGS-guided interventions.

EXPERT OPINION

Adapting methodological approaches and developing life-cycle health technology assessment (HTA) guidance using RWE is crucial for implementing NGS in oncology. Healthcare systems, decision-makers, and HTA organizations are facing a pivotal opportunity to adapt to an evolving clinical paradigm and create innovative regulatory and reimbursement processes that will enable more sustainable, equitable, and patient-oriented healthcare.

Behavioral change interventions, theories, and techniques to reduce physical inactivity and sedentary behavior in the general population: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, physical inactivity (PIA) and sedentary behavior (SB) are recognized as significant challenges hindering the achievement of the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs). PIA and SB are responsible for 1.6 million deaths attributed to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged governments to implement interventions informed by behavioral theories aimed at reducing PIA and SB. However, limited attention has been given to the range of theories, techniques, and contextual conditions underlying the design of behavioral theories. To this end, we set out to map these interventions, their levels of action, their mode of delivery, and how extensively they apply behavioral theories, constructs, and techniques.

METHODS

Following the scoping review methodology of Arksey and O'Malley (2005), we included peer-reviewed articles on behavioral theories interventions centered on PIA and SB, published between 2010 and 2023 in Arabic, French, and English in four databases (Scopus, Web of Science [WoS], PubMed, and Google Scholar). We adopted a framework thematic analysis based on the upper-level ontology of behavior theories interventions, Behavioral theories taxonomies, and the first version (V1) taxonomy of behavior change techniques(BCTs).

RESULTS

We included 29 studies out of 1,173 that were initially screened/searched. The majority of interventions were individually focused (n = 15). Few studies have addressed interpersonal levels (n = 6) or organizational levels (n = 6). Only two interventions can be described as systemic (i.e., addressing the individual, interpersonal, organizational, and institutional factors)(n = 2). Most behavior change interventions use four theories: The Social cognitive theory (SCT), the socioecological model (SEM), SDT, and the transtheoretical model (TTM). Most behavior change interventions (BCIS) involve goal setting, social support, and action planning with various degrees of theoretical use (intensive [n = 15], moderate [n = 11], or low [n = 3]).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Our review suggests the need to develop systemic and complementary interventions that entail the micro-, meso- and macro-level barriers to behavioral changes. Theory informed BCI need to integrate synergistic BCTs into models that use micro-, meso- and macro-level theories to determine behavioral change. Future interventions need to appropriately use a mix of behavioral theories and BCTs to address the systemic nature of behavioral change as well as the heterogeneity of contexts and targeted populations.

Chemsex Among Men Having Sex with Men: A Scoping Review on Management, Support, and Harm Reduction Strategies

Chemsex defines the practice of sexual activity under the influence of psychoactive substances, mainly by Men who have Sex with Men (MSM). This activity can be associated with negative health consequences, yet there are no recommendations to guide management of individuals who engage in chemsex. The aim of this scoping review was to identify and describe the existing treatments (pharmacological or not) and risk/harm reduction strategies for MSM who engage in chemsex. This scoping review was performed using PubMed and Embase databases and according to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Review criteria. Overall, 19 studies were included in the review. Among these studies, four main themes were identified: management and harm reduction strategies, key actors involved in managing MSM who engage in chemsex, perceived barriers to care and the role of pre-exposure prophylaxis, and medical information sought by MSM who engage in chemsex. This scoping review concludes with the need to develop multidisciplinary approaches to improve communication about chemsex, and to design interventional studies that target MSM who engage in chemsex.

A scoping review of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS), protocol implementation, and its impact on surgical outcomes and healthcare systems in Africa

BACKGROUND

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a patient-centered approach to surgery designed to reduce stress responses and facilitate faster recovery. ERAS protocols have been widely adopted in high-income countries, supported by robust research demonstrating improved patient outcomes. However, in Africa, there is limited evidence regarding its implementation. This review aims to identify the existing literature on the implementation of ERAS principles in Africa, the reported clinical outcomes, and the challenges and recommendations for successful implementation.

METHODS

We conducted a librarian-assisted literature search of electronic research databases between October and November 2023. Titles and abstracts were screened for eligibility, and duplicates were then removed, followed by full-text assessment of potentially eligible studies. We utilized the summative content analysis method to synthesize and group the data into fewer categories based on agreed-upon criteria. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the results.

RESULTS

The search identified 342 potential studies resulting in 15 eligible studies for inclusion in the review. The publication years ranged from 2016 to 2023. The studies originated from three countries: Egypt (n = 10), South Africa (n = 4), and Uganda (n = 1). Successful implementation was associated with reduced hospital length of stay (n = 12), lower mortality rates (n = 3), and improved pain outcomes (n = 7). Challenges included protocol adherence (n = 5) and limitations of the research design to generate strong evidence (n = 3). Recommendations included formal adoption of ERAS principles (n = 5), the need for sustained research commitment, and exploration of the applicability of ERAS in diverse surgical contexts (n = 8). Large-scale implementation beyond individual institutions was encouraged to further validate its impact on patient outcomes and healthcare costs (n = 1).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the limited number of studies on ERAS implementation in Africa, the available evidence suggests that it reduces the length of hospital stays and mortality rates. This is crucial for the region, given its higher mortality rates, necessitating more collaborative, methodically well-designed studies to establish stronger evidence for ERAS in lower-resource environments.

Structural Racism Conceptualization and Operationalization for Research for the U.S. HIV Epidemic: Findings from a Scoping Review and Implications for Advancing Research for Structural Interventions

In the U.S., inequities by race/ethnicity in health outcomes, such as in the HIV epidemic, are long standing but have come to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is growing recognition of the role of structural racism in racialized health inequities, yet the conceptualization and operationalization of structural racism in HIV research lags. We conducted a scoping review of existing published literature, between 1999-April 2024, conceptualizing and measuring structural racism's impact among people living with or at risk for HIV in the U.S. Our initial search yielded 236 unique articles, which after title and abstract screening yielded ten articles meeting full text review criteria. We then extracted key parameters, such as conceptualization, method of measurement of structural racism, study aims, design, and findings. Three of the articles were qualitative studies that conceptualized structural racism using (1) the social network model, (2) individual and structural intersectionality and (3) critical race theory. Operationalization of structural racism within the seven quantitative studies fell into three categories: (1) structural level, (2) a scale of experiences of racism, including structural racism, and (3) using explanatory demographic factors as downstream measures of the effects of structural racism. The variance in the conceptualization and operationalization of structural racism highlights the different interpretations of structural racism in its applications to the field of HIV research. Given the vast racial/ethnic inequities in HIV, we propose three overarching suggestions for next steps in improving the conduct of research on structural racism in HIV: (1) we must prioritize measuring racism past the individual and interpersonal levels to consider systemic factors at a societal level that manifest as structural racism to improve HIV outcomes in the U.S., (2) consider intergenerational effects of structural racism through the use of longitudinal data, and (3) broaden the agenda of structural racism to incorporate other systems of oppression. Additionally, broadening the scope of funding and inclusion of more researchers and individuals with lived experiences to support structural racism research to drive the scientific agenda and design of structural-level interventions will not only bolster achieving the U.S. Ending the HIV Epidemic goals but will do so by addressing inequities.

Nursing Variables Predicting Readmissions in Patients With a High Risk: A Scoping Review

Unplanned readmission endangers patient safety and increases unnecessary healthcare expenditure. Identifying nursing variables that predict patient readmissions can aid nurses in providing timely nursing interventions that help patients avoid readmission after discharge. We aimed to provide an overview of the nursing variables predicting readmission of patients with a high risk. The authors searched five databases-PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Scopus-for publications from inception to April 2023. Search terms included "readmission" and "nursing records." Eight studies were included for review. Nursing variables were classified into three categories-specifically, nursing assessment, nursing diagnosis, and nursing intervention. The nursing assessment category comprised 75% of the nursing variables; the proportions of the nursing diagnosis (25%) and nursing intervention categories (12.5%) were relatively low. Although most variables of the nursing assessment category focused on the patients' physical aspect, emotional and social aspects were also considered. This study demonstrated how nursing care contributes to patients' adverse outcomes. The findings can assist nurses in identifying the essential nursing assessment, diagnosis, and interventions, which should be provided from the time of patients' admission. This can mitigate preventable readmissions of patients with a high risk and facilitate their safe transition from an acute care setting to the community.

What is known about changes in pelvic floor muscle strength and tone in women during the childbirth pathway? A scoping review

INTRODUCTION

This scoping review aims to comprehensively explore the existing research on the changes in pelvic floor function that occur throughout the childbirth pathway (antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal period). Furthermore, it seeks to identify new opportunities and directions for future research in this field. In particular, this review focuses on investigating pelvic floor muscle strength and tone in women during the childbirth pathway.

METHODS

The following databases were investigated from their inception: PubMed, OVID, Medline, ScienceDirect, The Cochrane Central Library, Scopus, Web of Science, PEDro, Scholar Google, Embase, and CINHAIL. Literature research was carried out from March to October 2022. Records identified through database searching were imported to Covidence. According to Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage scoping review framework, researchers screen titles and abstracts for eligibility and exclude records that do not meet the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 40 studies were included in the data extraction phase. These articles underwent a review, with a specific emphasis on examining the tone, strength, and distensibility of the pelvic floor throughout the childbirth pathway. Among the selected studies, 22 investigated pelvic floor strength, 7 the distensibility, and 3 articles the tone.

CONCLUSIONS

This review identified both areas of agreement and disagreement across all three themes examined, with a particular emphasis on labor and the postpartum period. Notably, the review unveiled a significant scarcity of data concerning the tone of pelvic floor muscles throughout the childbirth pathway. Further studies to investigate the relationship between midwifery care and pelvic floor outcomes are required to improve clinical practice.

A Scoping Review of Culturally Adapted Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Communities of Color

Introduction: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are effective in improving mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, research on how MBIs have been tailored for racial and ethnic minoritized communities is limited. To address this gap, this scoping review utilizes the Ecological Validity Framework to systematically explore cultural adaptations in MBIs for communities of color. Concurrently, this review examines the effectiveness of culturally adapted MBIs. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, the authors conducted a search on MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Embase databases from 2010 to 2023. Inclusion criteria required studies to be published in English, accessible in full-text, and peer-reviewed, focusing primarily on communities of color or diverse non-White populations (comprising 75% or more of the sample). Exclusion criteria were studies primarily centered on behavioral interventions other than MBIs, studies lacking primary outcomes, and studies not explicitly addressing cultural adaptations. Results: Search results identified 371 publications, 13 of which met the inclusion criteria. The most frequently reported cultural adaptations were surface-level adaptations, which can enhance the relevance of MBIs by modifying the language, content, format, or intervention delivery. MBIs with surface-level adaptations reported significant improvements in mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and stress levels. Conclusion: Findings from this review indicate that culturally adapted MBIs for communities of color could potentially make them more relevant and acceptable. Surface-level and deep structure adaptations are both necessary to ensure MBIs are responsive, relevant, and sustainable across diverse contexts and populations.

Palbociclib in HR-Positive, HER2-Negative Advanced/Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Systematic Scoping Review of Real-World Evidence from Countries Outside of Western Regions that Are Underrepresented in Clinical Trials

INTRODUCTION

Limited awareness exists regarding real-world data (RWD) for palbociclib in patients with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative advanced/metastatic breast cancer in populations from certain countries outside of Western regions.

METHODS

A systematic scoping review was conducted using PubMed and Embase to evaluate RWD for palbociclib from countries outside of Western regions that are underrepresented in clinical trials. Search criteria were aligned with our research question for relevant English-language publications, without restrictions on publication date, followed by Phase 1 (title and abstract) and Phase 2 (full-text) screening of retrieved citations as per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data analyses of eligible studies were done separately for abstracts and full-text publications to enhance the precision and reliability of the results.

RESULTS

Database search yielded 1485 non-duplicate records, 46 qualified for inclusion, of which 47.8% were published as full text. The analysis of outcomes, based exclusively on full-text publications that collectively included 2048 patients treated with palbociclib, revealed the median progression-free survival (PFS) of 20.2-36.7 months, overall survival (OS) of 39.9 months (reported in one publication) and objective response rate (ORR) of 45.3-80.0% with first-line treatment. In ≥ second line, the median PFS, OS and ORR ranged from 7.0 to 24.2 months, 11 to 19.6 months, and 13.9% to 47.9%, respectively. The safety profile of palbociclib was similar to that reported in pivotal clinical studies, and no new safety concerns were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

A comprehensive volume of evidence demonstrates that palbociclib's effectiveness and safety profile in real-world settings align with those observed in clinical trials, offering valuable insights for clinical decision-making in countries outside of Western regions underrepresented in clinical trials.

Regimes of truth regarding 'sexual justice' in academic literature from 2012 to 2022: a scoping review

The notion of 'sexual justice' has gained traction in academic and policy arenas in recent years. This paper presents a scoping literature review of the regimes of truth, following Foucault, of 'sexual justice' appearing in the scientific literature from 2012 to 2022. Thirty-eight papers were coded using (1) content analysis of the studies' central problematics, the programmes referred to, and institutional location(s); and (2) thematic analysis of how the notion was deployed. Central problematics centred on (1) critiques of, or alternatives to, dominant approaches to sexual and reproductive health; and (2) highlighting injustices. As such, 'sexual justice' is fighting for legitimacy in the truth stakes. There is a distinct paucity of papers tackling the translation of 'sexual justice' into practice. South Africa dominates as the site in which papers on 'sexual justice' have been produced, but there is a lack of South-South collaboration. Two themes were apparent around which conceptions of sexual justice cohere. Firstly, sexual justice is seen as a vital, yet politically ambivalent goal, with neoliberal co-optation of progressive rights agendas being warned against. Secondly, sexual justice is viewed as a means, in which sexual justice is described as having potential to repair established frameworks' shortcomings and oppressive legacies.

Tools used to assess comfort among patients undergoing high flow nasal cannula: A scoping review

OBJECTIVE

The aims were twofold: (a) to map tools documented in the literature to evaluate comfort among patients undergoing high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) treatment; and (b) to assess if the retrieved tools have been validated for this purpose.

METHODS

A scoping review, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). In July 2023, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and Cochrane Library were consulted. Studies assessing comfort in adult, paediatric, and neonatal patients undergoing HFNC were included.

RESULTS

Seventy-four articles were included, among which nine (12.2 %) investigated comfort as the primary aim. Twenty-five different tools were found, classifiable into 14 types, mostly unidimensional and originating from those measuring pain. The most widely used was the Visual Analogic Scale (n = 27, 35.6 %) followed by the Numerical Rating Scale (n = 11, 14.5 %) and less defined generic tools (n = 10, 13.2 %) with different metrics (e.g. 0-5, 0-10, 0-100). Only the General Comfort Questionnaire and the Comfort Scale were specifically validated for the assessment of comfort among adults and children, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Although the comfort of patients undergoing HFNC is widely investigated in the literature, there is a scarcity of tools specifically validated in this field. Those used have been validated mainly to assess pain, suggesting the need to inform patients to prevent confusion while measuring comfort during HFNC and to develop more research in the field.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

Comfort assessment is an important aspect of nursing care. Given the lack of validation studies in the field, efforts in research are recommended.

Exploring the potential of virtual reality for the self-management of chronic pain: A scoping review of its use to address health literacy

BACKGROUND

Individuals with low health literacy struggle to manage long-term conditions. Addressing pain-related health competencies is important in the management of chronic pain. Virtual reality may be a useful tool for empowering sustainable health-related stratgies due to its unique ability to engage users in artificial environments.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this scoping review was to explore existing research on the use of virtual reality as a tool to promote health literacy in people with chronic pain.

DESIGN

Scoping Review guided by framework proposed by Arksey & O'Malley.

METHOD

Articles related to "pain", "virtual reality" and "health literacy" were searched in four electronic databases: CINAHL, PubMed, Embase and PsycINFO using a formal search strategy. Studies were categorised based on intervention content using the Health Literacy Pathway Model which encompasses health knowledge, self-management skills, health communication and information seeking.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Several elements of pain related health literacy were not addressed in the research. Interventions addressed health knowledge, self-management skills, decision making and featured content aiming to address emotional barriers to pain-related health literacy. Other components including active information seeking and use, actively communicating with health professionals and seeking and negotiating treatment options, were not explicitly addressed.

CONCLUSION

There is heterogeneity in existing research exploring the use of VR to support people with chronic pain. Existing VR tools to address pain-related health literacy do not cover several key components of health literacy. More research is required before a robust assessment of efficacy can be undertaken.

Digital health technologies and inequalities: A scoping review of potential impacts and policy recommendations

Digital health technologies hold promises for reducing health care costs, enhancing access to care, and addressing labor shortages. However, they risk exacerbating inequalities by disproportionately benefitting a subset of the population. Use of digital technologies accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our scoping review aimed to describe how inequalities related to their use were conceptually assessed during and after the pandemic and understand how digital strategies and policies might support digital equity. We used the PRISMA Extension for scoping reviews, identifying 2055 papers through an initial search of 3 databases in 2021 and complementary search in 2022, of which 41 were retained. Analysis was guided by the eHealth equity framework. Results showed that digital inequalities were reported in the U.S. and other high-income countries and were mainly assessed through differences in access and use according to individual sociodemographic characteristics. Health disparities related to technology use and the interaction between context and technology implementation were more rarely documented. Policy recommendations stressed the adoption of an equity lens in strategy development and multilayered and intersectoral collaboration to align interventions with the needs of specific subgroups. Finally, findings suggested that evaluations of health and wellbeing distribution related to the use of digital technologies should inform digital strategies and health policies.

A Review of Miscarriage and Healthcare Communication in the United States

Miscarriage is a pervasive and socioemotionally complex pregnancy complication. Evidence suggests that poor clinical management can worsen these experiences. Yet, assessments of healthcare communication during a miscarriage are limited and a systematic review of the literature is needed. This review identified and synthesized original research on miscarriage and healthcare communication in the United States from the past 20 years to identify existing knowledge gaps for future miscarriage research. The following databases were searched: PubMed, PsychINFO, and ERIC Database. Data were charted according to Arksey and O'Malley's Scoping Review Framework. Eleven articles were included in the review and three primary themes emerged: (a) patients overwhelmingly prefer patient-centered care; (b) miscarriage is often overmedicalized, which leads to poor communication; and (c) informed decision-making related to one's miscarriage can improve patient experiences. Several gaps were also identified, including studies seeking physician perspectives on miscarriage communication, evaluation of standard care guidelines, and studies evaluating diverse patients' perspectives. This review highlights the need for patient-centered care that utilizes compassionate and accessible language and promotes informed decision-making. Future research should use quantitative methodologies and longitudinal designs to build upon these findings and improve patient experiences of miscarriage.

Towards a common definition of surgical prehabilitation: a scoping review of randomised trials

BACKGROUND

There is no universally accepted definition for surgical prehabilitation. The objectives of this scoping review were to (1) identify how surgical prehabilitation is defined across randomised controlled trials and (2) propose a common definition.

METHODS

The final search was conducted in February 2023 using MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of unimodal or multimodal prehabilitation interventions (nutrition, exercise, and psychological support) lasting at least 7 days in adults undergoing elective surgery. Qualitative data were analysed using summative content analysis.

RESULTS

We identified 76 prehabilitation trials of patients undergoing abdominal (n=26, 34%), orthopaedic (n=20, 26%), thoracic (n=14, 18%), cardiac (n=7, 9%), spinal (n=4, 5%), and other (n=5, 7%) surgeries. Surgical prehabilitation was explicitly defined in more than half of these RCTs (n=42, 55%). Our findings consolidated the following definition: 'Prehabilitation is a process from diagnosis to surgery, consisting of one or more preoperative interventions of exercise, nutrition, psychological strategies and respiratory training, that aims to enhance functional capacity and physiological reserve to allow patients to withstand surgical stressors, improve postoperative outcomes, and facilitate recovery.'

CONCLUSIONS

A common definition is the first step towards standardisation, which is needed to guide future high-quality research and advance the field of prehabilitation. The proposed definition should be further evaluated by international stakeholders to ensure that it is comprehensive and globally accepted.

Henderickx M, van Moorselaar RJA, Kamphuis GM, Baard J. Navigating the Aftermath: A Comprehensive Scoping Review on Follow-up Strategies After Kidney-sparing Surgery for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

Background and objective

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) can be managed efficiently and safely through kidney-sparing surgery (KSS) in selected patient groups. However, the most effective and efficient postoperative surveillance strategy remains undetermined. We aimed to provide a comprehensive synopsis of the follow-up strategies and survival outcomes in patients diagnosed with UTUC treated by KSS.

Methods

Following the systematic methodology outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews, we conducted searches in four databases (MEDLINE [Ovid], Embase [Ovid], Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) up until December 11, 2023.

Key findings and limitations

A total of 3121 articles underwent screening, of which 19 were selected for inclusion in this review. The follow-up schedules after KSS exhibited considerable variability among the included studies. Diagnostic modalities employed consisted of computed tomography urography (present in 84% of protocols), X urography (21%), ultrasound (21%), thoracic imaging (26%), voided urine cytology (89%), selective upper tract cytology (5.3%), cystoscopy (84%), and ureterorenoscopy (53%) at varying frequencies. At 5 yr of follow-up, the reported recurrence-free survival rate ranged from 30% to 86%, overall survival was 50-92%, and metastasis-free survival was 77-90%.

Conclusions and clinical implications

This review unveils significant heterogeneity in clinical practices and survival outcomes, indicating disparities between real-world approaches and guideline recommendations. The lack of consensus on follow-up schemes is evident, emphasising the necessity for future initiatives aimed at developing a comprehensive protocol.

Patient summary

This review shows significant heterogeneity in follow-up strategies after kidney-sparing surgery for upper tract urothelial carcinoma. A lack of evidence contributes to discrepancies between guidelines and real-world approaches. Thus, future endeavours should aim at establishing a comprehensive protocol.

Intensive care unit interventions to improve quality of dying and death: scoping review

BACKGROUND

Intensive care units (ICUs) have mortality rates of 10%-29% owing to illness severity. Postintensive care syndrome-family affects bereaved relatives, with a prevalence of 26% at 3 months after bereavement, increasing the risk for anxiety and depression. Complicated grief highlights issues such as family presence at death, inadequate physician communication and urgent improvement needs in end-of-life care. However, no study has comprehensively reviewed strategies and components of interventions to improve end-of-life care in ICUs.

AIM

This scoping review aimed to analyse studies on improvement of the quality of dying and death in ICUs and identify interventions and their evaluation measures and effects on patients.

METHODS

MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Central Journal of Medicine databases were searched for relevant studies published until December 2023, and their characteristics and details were extracted and categorised based on the Joanna Briggs model.

RESULTS

A total of 24 articles were analysed and 10 intervention strategies were identified: communication skills, brochure/leaflet/pamphlet, symptom management, intervention by an expert team, surrogate decision-making, family meeting/conference, family participation in bedside rounds, psychosocial assessment and support for family members, bereavement care and feedback on end-on-life care for healthcare workers. Some studies included alternative assessment by family members and none used patient assessment of the intervention effects.

CONCLUSION

This review identified 10 intervention strategies to improve the quality of dying and death in ICUs. Many studies aimed to enhance the quality by evaluating the outcomes through proxy assessments. Future studies should directly assess the quality of dying process, including symptom evaluation of the patients.

The use of linked administrative data in Australian randomised controlled trials: A scoping review

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The demand for simplified data collection within trials to increase efficiency and reduce costs has led to broader interest in repurposing routinely collected administrative data for use in clinical trials research. The aim of this scoping review is to describe how and why administrative data have been used in Australian randomised controlled trial conduct and analyses, specifically the advantages and limitations of their use as well as barriers and enablers to accessing administrative data for use alongside randomised controlled trials.

METHODS

Databases were searched to November 2022. Randomised controlled trials were included if they accessed one or more Australian administrative data sets, where some or all trial participants were enrolled in Australia, and where the article was published between January 2000 and November 2022. Titles and abstracts were independently screened by two reviewers, and the full texts of selected studies were assessed against the eligibility criteria by two independent reviewers. Data were extracted from included articles by two reviewers using a data extraction tool.

RESULTS

Forty-one articles from 36 randomised controlled trials were included. Trial characteristics, including the sample size, disease area, population, and intervention, were varied; however, randomised controlled trials most commonly linked to government reimbursed claims data sets, hospital admissions data sets and birth/death registries, and the most common reason for linkage was to ascertain disease outcomes or survival status, and to track health service use. The majority of randomised controlled trials were able to achieve linkage in over 90% of trial participants; however, consent and participant withdrawals were common limitations to participant linkage. Reported advantages were the reliability and accuracy of the data, the ease of long term follow-up, and the use of established data linkage units. Common reported limitations were locating participants who had moved outside the jurisdictional area, missing data where consent was not provided, and unavailability of certain healthcare data.

CONCLUSIONS

As linked administrative data are not intended for research purposes, detailed knowledge of the data sets is required by researchers, and the time delay in receiving the data is viewed as a barrier to its use. The lack of access to primary care data sets is viewed as a barrier to administrative data use; however, work to expand the number of healthcare data sets that can be linked has made it easier for researchers to access and use these data, which may have implications on how randomised controlled trials will be run in future.

A scoping review of incidence and assessment tools for post-intensive care syndrome following cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND

Post-intensive care syndrome is a new or worsening persistent deterioration in cognitive, mental, and/or physical health following a prolonged admission to an intensive care unit. Post-intensive care syndrome remains underexplored following cardiac surgery, with a lack of understanding of the incidence and tools used to measure the symptoms. A scoping review was conducted to determine the incidence and to identify the tools commonly used to measure symptoms of post-intensive care syndrome following cardiac surgery.

METHODS

The electronic databases Medline (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), PsycINFO (Ovid), Scopus, and CINAHL (EBSCOhost) and Google Scholar were searched with keywords and controlled vocabulary to describe both cardiac surgery and post-intensive care syndrome (cardiac surgical procedures, heart surgery, and post-intensive care symptoms) and symptoms (delirium, depression, mobility and quality of life). Included were articles written in English and published after 2005 that described cognitive, mental, and physical symptoms of post-intensive care syndrome following cardiac surgery. 3,131 articles were found, with 565 duplicates, leaving 2,566 articles to be screened. Of these, seven unique studies were included.

RESULTS

Five studies explored cognitive health, three mental health, one cognitive and mental health, and none physical health. No identified studies reported the overall incidence of post-intensive care syndrome following cardiac surgery. The incidence of cognitive health issues ranged from 21% to 38%, and mental health issues ranged from 16% to 99%. In total, 17 different tools were identified - 14 for cognitive health and three for mental health. No identified studies used the same tools to measure symptoms. No single tool was found to measure all three domains.

CONCLUSION

This scoping review identified a literature gap specific to the incidence and inconsistency of assessment tools for post-intensive care syndrome in cardiac surgery patients.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

This work impacts clinical practice for the bedside nurse by raising awareness of an emerging health issue.

A scoping review of factors associated with self-management in young adults with stroke

PURPOSE

To synthesize the available evidence on factors associated with self-management behavior in young stroke patients.

METHODS

The methodological guidelines for scoping reviews developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute and the PRISMA-scR-checklist for scoping reviews were used. A total of 5586 studies were identified through bibliographic searches of the scientific databases Medline (OVID), Embase (OVID), CINAHL (EBSCO), and PsycINFO, limited to the period 2000-2023. Studies were independently assessed for inclusion and exclusion criteria by two reviewers. Quantitative observational data and qualitative studies were extracted, mapped, and summarized to provide a descriptive summary of trends and considerations for future research.

RESULTS

Nine papers were finally selected to answer the research question. Young patients' self-management was mainly influenced by demographic factors (age, gender, income, education, and stroke knowledge), disease-related factors (functionality and independence, duration of stroke diagnosis, cognitive function, and poststroke fatigue), and psychosocial factors (hardiness, spiritual self-care, self-efficacy, and social support).

CONCLUSION

Further research is needed to determine the trajectory of poststroke self-management over time and its potential predictors, which should lead to the development of specific stroke rehabilitation and stroke self-management support programs for young people (considering factors that influence return to work in young stroke patients' self-management).

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Healthcare providers can design more efficient interventions to improve the quality of life of young stroke patients after discharge. Gaining an in-depth understanding of the factors that influence self-management can help achieve this.

Janus kinase inhibitors and the changing landscape of vitiligo management: a scoping review

Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition caused by an autoimmune response that results in the progressive loss of melanocytes and recent studies have suggested that Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) are emerging as a promising new treatment modality. Therefore, to assess and understand the extent of knowledge in the emerging field of JAKi use in vitiligo, a scoping review of the literature was undertaken. The reviewed articles explored a wide variety of JAKi administered either orally or topically for vitiligo. There were no injectable JAKi studied. Tofacitinib was the most commonly studied oral JAKi in 16 of the 35 studies selected for review, followed by baricitinib (n = 3), and one study each with ritlecitinib, ruxolitinib, and upadacitinib. Ruxolitinib (n = 6) and tofacitinib (n = 6) were the most often studied topical JAKi, followed by delgocitinib (n = 1). Potential benefits may vary between JAKi based on their receptor selectivity profile and coexistent autoimmune diseases. A topical JAKi would be advantageous in limited body area involvement and in adolescents. Concurrent use of JAKi with phototherapy or sun exposure appears beneficial. Most studies permitted the use of other topical agents. Acne-related events, though frequent yet mild, were reported with both oral and topical JAKi. Nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infections, and headaches were the most common adverse effects seen in the larger trials with JAKi. No serious or clinically meaningful hematology or thromboembolic events were detected. Treatment of vitiligo with oral or topical JAKi seems to be promising and the growing evidence shows a favorable risk-benefit profile.

Remimazolam for sedation and anesthesia in children: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Remimazolam, a novel intravenous benzodiazepine recently approved by both the European Medicines Agency and the Food and Drug Agency, shows considerable promise in clinical practice. Its pharmacodynamic profile closely resembles that of midazolam, while its pharmacokinetic properties are similar to those of remifentanil. While research in adult populations continues to accumulate, the pace of pediatric studies is not as significant. This scoping review aims to systematically examine published studies, clinical trials, observational research, case reports, and relevant literature to provide a comprehensive understanding of remimazolam in pediatric sedation and anesthesia. By synthesizing the gathered evidence, we aim to identify gaps in the literature, guide future research endeavors, and inform clinical practices.

METHODS

The review follows the guidelines outlined by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for Scoping Review. A thorough search strategy was implemented across prominent peer-reviewed databases, with focused efforts to identify relevant grey literature. All primary studies involving the use of remimazolam in pediatric populations were included in this review.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies were included in this analysis, comprising 2 randomized controlled trials, 4 prospective cohort trials, 12 case reports, and 692 children in total.

CONCLUSION

This scoping review highlights the increasing interest in using remimazolam as a sedative or anesthetic for children. Although initial evidence indicates its effectiveness and safety, more research is necessary to fill knowledge gaps, establish standard protocols, and optimize its use in pediatric anesthesia and sedation. Addressing these challenges will enable clinicians to improve the quality of care and outcomes for pediatric patients undergoing sedation and anesthesia.

Addressing missing outcome data in randomised controlled trials: A methodological scoping review

BACKGROUND

Missing outcome data is common in trials, and robust methods to address this are needed. Most trial reports currently use methods applicable under a missing completely at random assumption (MCAR), although this strong assumption can often be inappropriate.

OBJECTIVE

To identify and summarise current literature on the analytical methods for handling missing outcome data in randomised controlled trials (RCTs), emphasising methods appropriate for data missing at random (MAR) or missing not at random (MNAR).

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

We conducted a methodological scoping review and identified papers through searching four databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and CINAHL) from January 2015 to March 2023. We also performed forward and backward citation searching. Eligible papers discussed methods or frameworks for handling missing outcome data in RCTs or simulation studies with an RCT design.

RESULTS

From 1878 records screened, our search identified 101 eligible papers. 90 (89%) papers described specific methods for addressing missing outcome data and 11 (11%) described frameworks for overall methodological approach. Of the 90 methods papers, 30 (33%) described methods under the MAR assumption, 48 (53%) explored methods under the MNAR assumption and 11 (12%) discussed methods under a hybrid of MAR and MNAR assumptions. Control-based methods under the MNAR assumption were the most common method explored, followed by multiple imputation under the MAR assumption.

CONCLUSION

This review provides guidance on available analytic approaches for handling missing outcome data, particularly under the MNAR assumption. These findings may support trialists in using appropriate methods to address missing outcome data.

Antimicrobial Activity of Antibacterial Sutures in Oral Surgery: A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this scoping review was to explore and synthesise the current evidence on the antimicrobial activity of antibacterial suture materials used in oral surgery.

METHODS

The review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews. A bibliographic search was carried out in the PubMed and Scopus databases to retrieve all human clinical studies that investigated the antimicrobial efficacy of antibacterial-coated sutures used in oral surgery. Included studies were screened and extracted independently by 2 examiners. Data were tabulated and qualitatively described.

RESULTS

The search initially returned 150 articles and resulted in 5 included studies after the duplicates' removal and the full-text screening. Selected studies were published from 2014 to 2019. Three studies (60%) were randomised clinical trials, whilst the remaining studies did not report information on randomisation. The antimicrobial agents for coated sutures included triclosan and chlorhexidine. In almost all the studies, antibacterial-coated sutures exhibited lower bacterial retention compared to those without coating.

CONCLUSIONS

Within limitations, the antimicrobial-coated sutures employed in oral surgery exhibited good results in terms of their microbicidal activity when compared with sutures that were not coated. Considering the high variability and confounding factors identified in the included studies, more high-quality research is needed to confirm these results. Antimicrobial-coated sutures could represent a promising and clinically valid strategy to reduce microbial colonisation in oral surgery. The reduced bacterial adherence is likely to improve the clinical success of the surgical procedures. Yet, the cost-benefit ratio of antimicrobial-coated sutures should be assessed in larger clinical trials to confirm their efficacy over conventional noncoated sutures.