Pedagogical and teaching strategies used to teach writing to pre-licensure students enrolled in health professional programs: a scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to map the existing literature on pedagogical approaches and teaching strategies used to teach academic and professional writing to pre-licensure students who are enrolled in health professional programs. INTRODUCTION: Health professional programs are intended to develop competence in both academic and professional writing. Effective academic writing skills prompt critical reflection and engagement with research communities, while professional writing skills are used to document interventions and communicate across health systems. Despite the importance of these 2 forms of writing, there are ongoing concerns that practitioners are entering practice without adequate writing skills. Given these concerns and the importance of writing across health disciplines, there is value in identifying the pedagogical strategies and approaches used in health professional programs to develop writing skills and to transfer such skills from one communicative context to another. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review will consider research on the pedagogical approaches and teaching strategies used to teach academic and professional writing in pre-licensure health professional programs. METHODS: This review will be conducted in line with the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. The search strategy will aim to locate published literature using MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, CINAHL with Full-Text (EBSCOhost), ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health (ProQuest), and ERIC (EBSCOhost), along with gray literature (using databases/search engines). Papers published from 2010 onward in English and in French will be included. Extracted data will be reported in tabular format and presented narratively to address each review objective. DETAILS OF THE REVIEW CAN BE FOUND IN OPEN SCIENCE FRAMEWORK: http://osf.io/9raxp.

Obtaining Consent for Research on Risky Behaviours Among Adolescents in Canada: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review explores current practices for obtaining consent in research on risky behaviours among adolescents in Canada. The JBI methodology for scoping reviews was used. The database search was conducted in August 2021 and updated in November 2022. Papers published in 2010 or later were included. Extracted data included study characteristics, sample characteristics, and consent procedures. The review included 83 reports covering 57 studies. Nearly 60% of studies relied on adolescent self-consent for participation. Adolescent self-consent was more common than parental/guardian consent for studies using in-person research methods, older adolescent groups, and particularly vulnerable populations. Parental/guardian consent was more common for studies using younger age groups and general population samples. Adolescent self-consent was more common than parental/guardian consent for most risky behaviours covered by this review. These results provide insight into current consent practices in this area and offer guidance to researchers and institutional review boards in Canada.

Depiction of conversational agents as health professionals: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the depiction of conversational agents as health professionals. We identified the professional characteristics that are used with these depictions and determined the prevalence of these characteristics among conversational agents that are used for health care. INTRODUCTION: The depiction of conversational agents as health professionals has implications for both the users and the developers of these programs. For this reason, it is important to know more about these depictions and how they are implemented in practical settings. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review included scholarly literature on conversational agents that are used for health care. It focused on conversational agents designed for patients and health seekers, not health professionals or trainees. Conversational agents that address physical and/or mental health care were considered, as were programs that promote healthy behaviors. METHODS: This review was conducted in accordance with JBI methodology for scoping reviews. The databases searched included MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, CINAHL with Full Text (EBSCOhost), Scopus, Web of Science, ACM Guide to Computing Literature (Association for Computing Machinery Digital Library), and IEEE Xplore (IEEE). The main database search was conducted in June 2021, and an updated search was conducted in January 2022. Extracted data included characteristics of the report, basic characteristics of the conversational agent, and professional characteristics of the conversational agent. Extracted data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Results are presented in a narrative summary and accompanying tables. RESULTS: A total of 38 health-related conversational agents were identified across 41 reports. Six of these conversational agents (15.8%) had professional characteristics. Four conversational agents (10.5%) had a professional appearance in which they displayed the clothing and accessories of health professionals and appeared in professional settings. One conversational agent (2.6%) had a professional title (Dr), and 4 conversational agents (10.5%) were described as having professional roles. Professional characteristics were more common among embodied vs disembodied conversational agents. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this review show that the depiction of conversational agents as health professionals is not particularly common, although it does occur. More discussion is needed on the potential ethical and legal issues surrounding the depiction of conversational agents as health professionals. Future research should examine the impact of these depictions, as well as people's attitudes toward them, to better inform recommendations for practice.

Using theater as an innovative knowledge translation approach for health research: a scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to synthesize the existing literature on how theater has been used as a knowledge translation approach for health research and to identify the outcome measures employed for evaluation as well as the facilitators/challenges related to this approach. INTRODUCTION: The use of arts-based knowledge translation methods is relatively new in health research but has already shown to have positive impacts on knowledge, attitudes, policy, and practice. Specifically, theater has proven to be an effective approach for communicating research findings in a way that stimulates thought and discussion on important health-related topics. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review will include scholarly literature on how theater is being used as a knowledge translation approach for health research. The review will not impose any limitations related to demographic variables, health issues, or settings. The review will consider papers using any study design, and will also consider other literature, such as protocols, descriptive papers, unpublished papers, and evaluation reports. METHODS: This review will be conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. The databases to be searched will include CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Embase, MEDLINE (Ovid), Academic Search Premier (EBSCOhost), and Scopus. Google/Google Scholar and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses will also be searched for unpublished studies and gray literature. All literature identified in the search will be screened by 2 independent reviewers and the results will be presented in a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram. The data extracted from the included literature will be presented in both tabular and narrative format. REVIEW REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework https://osf.io/gbcpj.

Barriers and facilitators for engaging in the practice of medical assistance in dying among providers in Canada: a scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: This review will explore the perceived barriers and facilitators for engaging in the practice of medical assistance in dying (MAiD) from the perspective of physicians, nurse practitioners, and medical residents in Canada. INTRODUCTION: The number of MAiD requests in Canada is growing steadily and is predicted to continue to grow with the passing of Bill C-7 in 2021, which expands access to individuals whose deaths are not reasonably foreseeable. Under federal law, physicians and nurse practitioners are the only health care professionals permitted to assess for and administer MAiD. Providers are not obligated to engage in the practice of MAiD; therefore, patient access relies on providers' readiness to engage in the practice. More information is needed to understand the barriers and facilitators for engaging in MAiD care from the perspective of providers. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review will consider studies that identify physicians, nurse practitioners, and medical residents' perceived barriers and facilitators for engaging in the practice of MAiD in Canada. Physicians, nurse practitioners, and medical residents who do not directly administer MAiD, including those who identify as conscientious objectors or non-participants, will be included. Studies looking at barriers and facilitators for providing MAiD care to individuals with dementia, mental illness, or for individuals under the age of 18 years will be excluded. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL with Full-text, and APA PsycINFO will be searched. Studies will be screened and data extracted by 2 independent reviewers using a tool created for this review. The scoping review findings will be presented in a narrative format and mapped in tables to address the review aims.

Supports and services available to at-risk mothers and their children in maternity residences: a scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this scoping review is to identify, categorize, and map the types of supports and services available to at-risk mothers and their children in maternity residences. A secondary objective is to identify and map the measures used to evaluate the efficacy of these supports and services. INTRODUCTION: Pregnant and parenting women and their children experiencing complex challenges related to the social determinants of health, including unstable housing and poverty, are at high-risk for long-term negative health and socioeconomic outcomes. Maternity residences may provide supports and services that improve this population's outcomes, however, there is little understanding of what services are offered and how efficacious they may be. A comprehensive overview of supports and services in maternity residences, as well as identifying the measures used to evaluate the efficacy of the supports and services, will provide the foundation to evaluate these services and outcomes and inform the development of future maternity residential programs. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Studies including pregnant and parenting women and gender-diverse individuals who are housed in, or accessing the services of, maternity residences in politically stable high-income countries due to challenges rooted in the social determinants of health will be considered for inclusion. We define maternity residences as any agency with a residential component offering supports/services to this population. METHODS: This review will be conducted in accordance with JBI methodology for scoping reviews. The data will be analyzed using a quantitative descriptive analysis approach. The data analysis and discussion will informed by the Social Determinants of Health, Reproductive Justice, Harm Reduction, and Health in All Policies frameworks.

Preconception knowledge, beliefs and behaviours among people of reproductive age: A systematic review of qualitative studies.

BACKGROUND: The health of parents before pregnancy influences the short- and long-term health of their offspring. This systematic review explored the preconception knowledge, beliefs and behaviours held by women and men of childbearing age. METHODS: Databases were searched from 2009 to 2022 (MEDLINE, CINAHL Full-text, PsycINFO, EMBASE). Inclusion criteria specified qualitative research papers which recruited individuals of reproductive age (16-45 years) without existing chronic illnesses. Data were quality assessed and analysed using thematic synthesis. RESULTS: Twelve papers met inclusion criteria. Six themes were identified (cultural context, pregnancy planning, knowledge, gender roles and responsibility, information seeking, prior health behaviours) which relate to individual, social, psychological and cultural factors. Cultural context was related to all other themes. Pregnancy planners had greater motivation to optimise their health whereas those not actively planning were focused more on becoming financially stable. Women and men's knowledge of how and why to engage in health protective behaviours was limited, with health risks and behaviour change discussed in the context of pregnancy rather than preconception. Gender roles influenced individual responsibility for preparation for pregnancy, which in turn influenced information seeking behaviours and engagement in health behaviours. Online sources of support and information were seen as desirable, regardless of pregnancy planning stage. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that behaviour change interventions designed to support people to optimise health before conception should address cultural, individual, social and psychological factors to facilitate behaviour change. Development of online resources may help to increase accessibility for people across different cultural contexts and stages of pregnancy planning.

Patient navigation programs for people with dementia, their caregivers, and members of the care team: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this review was to map the literature on the characteristics of patient navigation programs for people with dementia, their caregivers, and members of the care team across all settings. The secondary objective was to map the literature on the barriers and facilitators for implementing and delivering such patient navigation programs. INTRODUCTION: People with dementia have individualized needs that change according to the stage of their condition. They often face fragmented and uncoordinated care when seeking support to address these needs. Patient navigation may be one way to help people with dementia access better care. Patient navigation is a model of care that aims to guide people through the health care system, matching their unmet needs to appropriate resources, services, and programs. Organizing the available information on this topic will present a clearer picture of how patient navigation programs work. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review focused on the characteristics of patient navigation programs for people living with dementia, their caregivers, and the members of the care team. It excluded programs not explicitly focused on dementia. It included patient navigation across all settings, delivered in all formats, and administered by all types of navigators if the programs aligned with this review's definition of patient navigation. This review excluded case management programs. METHODS: This review was conducted in accordance with JBI methodology for scoping reviews. MEDLINE, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, Embase, and ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health databases were searched for published full-text articles. A gray literature search was also conducted. Two independent reviewers screened articles for relevance against the inclusion criteria. The results are presented in a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram, and the extracted data are presented narratively and in tabular format. RESULTS: Thirty-nine articles describing 20 programs were included in this review. The majority of these articles were published between 2015 and 2020, and based out of the United States. The types of sources included randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and qualitative exploratory studies, among others. All programs provided some form of referral or linkage to other services or resources. Most dementia navigation programs included an interdisciplinary team, and most programs were community-based. There was no consistent patient navigator title or standard delivery method. Commonly reported barriers to implementing and delivering these programs were navigator burnout and a lack of coordination between stakeholders. Commonly reported facilitators were collaboration, communication, and formal partnerships between key stakeholders, as well as accessible and flexible program delivery models. CONCLUSIONS: This review demonstrates variety and flexibility in the types of services patient navigation programs provided, as well as in the modes of service delivery and in navigator title. This information may be useful for individuals and organizations looking to implement their own programs in the future. It also provides a framework for future systematic reviews that seek to evaluate the effectiveness or efficacy of dementia navigation programs.

Improving the transition from paediatric to adult healthcare: a scoping review on the recommendations of young adults with lived experience.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this review was to identify recommendations within the literature on how to improve the transition from paediatric to adult healthcare from the perspective of young adults (YAs) living with chronic conditions who have gone through the process. DESIGN: This review was conducted in accordance with JBI methodology for scoping reviews. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), PsycINFO (EBSCO) and EMBASE (Elsevier) databases, and conducted a grey literature search for relevant material. The databases were searched in December 2019, and re-searched June 2020 and September 2020, while the grey literature was searched in April 2020. This scoping review focused on the recommendations of YAs with chronic conditions who have transitioned from paediatric to adult healthcare, in any setting (eg, hospital, clinic or community), and across all sectors (eg, health, education and social services). RESULTS: Eighteen studies met inclusion criteria for this review. These studies included YAs with 14 different chronic conditions, receiving primary health services in North America (67%) and Europe (33%). YAs' recommendations for improving the transition from paediatric to adult healthcare (n=number of studies reported) included: improving continuity of care (n=12); facilitating patient-centred care (n=9); building strong support networks (n=11) and implementing transition education preparedness training (n=7). CONCLUSION: Review findings can benefit service delivery by addressing important barriers to health, education, and social services for youth transitioning to adult healthcare.

A descriptive study found low prevalence of presumed predatory publications in a subset of Cochrane reviews.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of presumed predatory publications in Cochrane reviews, which are considered the gold standard. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We selected two Cochrane networks with broad scope: the Musculoskeletal, Oral, Skin and Sensory Network and the Public Health and Health Systems Network. From reviews produced by all review groups in those networks in 2018 and 2019, we extracted included study citations published after 2000. For each citation, we assessed the journal and publisher using an algorithmic process based on characteristics known to be common among predatory publishers. Knowing that predatory status can be fluid and subjective, we scored citations on a spectrum from "reputable" to "presumed predatory" based on publication characteristics available at the time of assessment. RESULTS: We assessed 6,750 citations from 300 reviews. Of these citations, 5,734 were published by entities widely accepted as reputable, leaving 1,591 for further assessment. We flagged 55 citations as concerning. CONCLUSION: Cochrane reviews across diverse topic areas included studies from flagged publishers, although this number is small. Because of this, there is potential for studies from predatory journals to influence the conclusions of systematic reviews. Researchers should stay aware of this potential threat to the quality of reviews.

The Functional Resonance Analysis Method as a health care research methodology: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to examine and map the literature on the use of the Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) in health care research. INTRODUCTION: The FRAM is a resilient health care tool tat offers an approach to deconstruct complex systems by mapping health care processes to identify essential activities, how they are interrelated, and the variability that emerges, which can strengthen or compromise outcomes. Insight into how the FRAM has been operationalized in health care can help researchers and policy-makers understand how this method can be used to strengthen health care systems. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This scoping review included research and narrative reports on the application of the FRAM in any health care setting. The focus was to identify the key concepts and definitions used to describe the FRAM; the research questions, aims, and objectives used to study the FRAM; the methods used to operationalize the FRAM; the health care processes examined; and the key findings. METHODS: A three-step search strategy was used to find published and unpublished research and narrative reports conducted in any country. Only papers published in English were considered. No limits were placed on the year of publication. CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Inspec Engineering Village, ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health were searched originally in June 2020 and again in March 2021. A search of the gray literature was also completed in March 2021. Data were extracted from papers by two independent reviewers using a data extraction tool developed by the reviewers. Search results are summarized in a flow diagram, and the extracted data are presented in tabular format. RESULTS: Thirty-one papers were included in the final review, and most (n = 25; 80.6%) provided a description or definition of the FRAM. Only two (n = 2; 6.5%) identified a specific research question. The remaining papers each identified an overall aim or objective in applying the FRAM, the most common being to understand a health care process (n = 20; 64.5%). Eleven different methods of data collection were identified, with interviews being the most common (n = 21; 67.7%). Ten different health care processes were explored, with safety and risk identification (n = 8; 25.8%) being the most examined process. Key findings identified the FRAM as a mapping tool that can identify essential activities or functions of a process (n = 20; 64.5%), how functions are interdependent or coupled (n = 18; 58.1%), the variability that can emerge within a process (n = 20; 64.5%), discrepancies between work as done and work as imagined (n = 20; 64.5%), the resiliency that exists within a process (n = 12; 38.7%), and the points of risk within a process (n = 10, 32.3%). Most papers (n = 27; 87.1%) developed models representing the complexity of a process. CONCLUSIONS: The FRAM aims to use a systems approach to examine complex processes and, as evidenced by this review, is suited for use within the health care domain. Interest in the FRAM is growing, with most of the included literature being published since 2017 (n = 24; 77.4%). The FRAM has the potential to provide comprehensive insight into how health care work is done and how that work can become more efficient, safer, and better supported.

Patient navigation programs for people with dementia, their caregivers, and members of their care team: a scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to map the literature on the characteristics, barriers, and faciliators of patient navigation programs for people with dementia, their caregivers, and/or members of their care team across all settings. INTRODUCTION: Patient navigation refers to a model of care that helps guide people through the health care system, matching their unmet needs to appropriate resources, services, and programs. Patient navigation may be beneficial to people with dementia because this is a population that frequently faces fragmented and uncoordinated care and has individualized care needs. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review will focus on patient navigation programs for people living with dementia, their caregivers, and/or members of their care team, while excluding programs that do not explicitly focus on dementia. It will include patient navigation across all settings, delivered in all formats, and administered by all types of navigators, as long as the program is aligned with this article's definition of patient navigation, while excluding case management. METHODS: This review will be conducted in accordance with JBI methodology for scoping reviews. The MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, and ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health databases will be searched for published articles. Two independent reviewers will screen articles for relevance against the inclusion criteria. The results will be presented in a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews flow diagram, and the extracted data will be presented in both tabular and narrative format.

The functional resonance analysis method as a health care research methodology: a scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to examine and map the literature on the use of the functional resonance analysis method in health care research. INTRODUCTION: Health care systems are highly complex and involve interrelated functions, organizations, individuals, and technologies. Understanding how these elements interact and impact health care processes is difficult because of inherent contextual and human variables. The functional resonance analysis method offers an approach to deconstruct complex systems and examine relationships between individual processes and elements. By using the functional resonance analysis method, researchers can map health care processes and uncover performance variables that can emerge and strengthen, or compromise, intended outcomes. Insight into how the functional resonance analysis method has been operationalized in health care research will help researchers and policy makers understand how the method can be used to strengthen health care systems. INCLUSION CRITERIA: The scoping review will consider research and narrative reports on the application of the functional resonance analysis method in health care research. The concepts of interest are the research questions/aims/objectives, methods used to operationalize the functional resonance analysis method, key concepts and definitions of the functional resonance analysis method, and key findings. Studies that used the functional resonance analysis method in any health care setting will be considered. METHODS: The scoping review will aim to locate published and unpublished literature by employing a three-step search strategy. Only papers published in English will be considered and no limits will be placed on the year of publication. Data extracted will include key concepts and definitions of the functional resonance analysis method, research questions/aims/objectives, methods used to operationalize the functional resonance analysis method, and key findings. Extracted data will be reported in tabular form and presented narratively to express the review question.

Nursing students' experiences with clinical placement in residential aged care facilities: a systematic review of qualitative evidence.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize the best available evidence on nursing students' experiences with clinical placement in residential aged care facilities. INTRODUCTION: Nursing education programs play a key role in preparing future nurses to care for the growing number of older adults who will require health care. A key component of this preparation involves ensuring that curricula optimize student learning through carefully designed clinical learning practice experiences. Residential aged care facilities provide students with opportunities to work exclusively with older adults. Studies that address clinical placements in residential aged care facilities highlight both the benefits and concerns of student learning and professional development. Insight into student experiences of clinical placements in residential aged care facilities can help inform nursing curricula and contribute to a better understanding of how best to prepare students to care for an aging population. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review considered all qualitative studies that included undergraduate and diploma nursing students. Nursing students included individuals or groups identified as nursing students independent of the type of program, level of learning, or time spent in the setting. METHODS: A three-step search strategy was used to identify English language qualitative primary research studies. Two reviewers independently appraised the included studies using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research. Key findings were extracted and classified as unequivocal or credible. RESULTS: Fourteen qualitative studies were included, published between 2003 and 2018. A total of 53 findings were extracted and aggregated into seven categories. From the seven categories, two synthesized findings were developed: the evolution of learning and embracing opportunity. CONCLUSION: This review captured student experiences of clinical placement in residential aged care facilities. The findings highlight the importance of students entering the setting with knowledge of how to care for older adults and being able to respond to challenging resident behavior. Equally important is the need for students to understand the roles and contributions of all care staff in the setting, including nurses and unregulated care providers. Although the residential aged care setting can be a challenging learning environment for students, it also offers opportunities for student growth and professional development, especially when there are clearly articulated learning outcomes and appropriate role models available.

Methods for Detecting Mycobacterial Mixed Strain Infections-A Systematic Review.

Mixed strain infection (MSI) refers to the concurrent infection of a susceptible host with multiple strains of a single pathogenic species. Known to occur in humans and animals, MSIs deserve special consideration when studying transmission dynamics, evolution, and treatment of mycobacterial diseases, notably tuberculosis in humans and paratuberculosis (or Johne's disease) in ruminants. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted to examine how MSIs are defined in the literature, how widespread the phenomenon is across the host species spectrum, and to document common methods used to detect such infections. Our search strategy identified 121 articles reporting MSIs in both humans and animals, the majority (78.5%) of which involved members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, while only a few (21.5%) examined non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). In addition, MSIs exist across various host species, but most reports focused on humans due to the extensive amount of work done on tuberculosis. We reviewed the strain typing methods that allowed for MSI detection and found a few that were commonly employed but were associated with specific challenges. Our review notes the need for standardization, as some highly discriminatory methods are not adapted to distinguish between microevolution of one strain and concurrent infection with multiple strains. Further research is also warranted to examine the prevalence of NTM MSIs in both humans and animals. In addition, it is envisioned that the accurate identification and a better understanding of the distribution of MSIs in the future will lead to important information on the epidemiology and pathophysiology of mycobacterial diseases.

Frameworks for evaluation of community health centers' services and outcomes: a scoping review protocol.

REVIEW OBJECTIVES/QUESTION: The objective of this scoping review is to identify and map the frameworks used to evaluate services and outcomes of community health centers within the broader context of primary health care.The primary question for this scoping review is: what are the frameworks used to evaluate services and outcomes of community health centers?Secondary questions for this review are.