A Scoping Review of Medical Laboratory Science and Simulation: Promoting a Path Forward with Best Practices

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tera L Webb ◽  
Jarkeshia McGahee ◽  
Michelle R Brown

Abstract Objective In medical laboratory science, there is a need to enhance the clinical learning curriculum beyond laboratory skill and diagnostic interpretation competency. Incorporating simulation presents an opportunity to train and produce medical laboratory scientists with the skills to communicate and work effectively in an interprofessional healthcare team. Methods A scoping review was performed to (i) understand the landscape of research literature on medical laboratory science and simulation and (ii) provide a path for future research directions. The International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning Standards of Best Practice: Simulation were used as a guiding framework for literature that described simulation activities. Results Out of 439 articles from multiple databases, 32 were eligible for inclusion into this review. Of the 14 articles that described a simulation activity, only 3 described or partially described each component of the best practice criteria for simulation. Articles that did not describe the design and implementation of simulation (n = 18) consisted of 7 opinion-based papers, 4 narrative reviews, 5 case reports, and 2 empirical papers. Conclusion Despite increases in medical laboratory science with simulation, there is a need for more detailed empirical studies, more studies with an interprofessional context, and more methodological rigor.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana L Oliveira ◽  
Michelle Brown

Abstract Objective Laboratory professionals must communicate effectively on an interprofessional team. It is the responsibility of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) programs to teach communication. The structured communication tool Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation (SBAR) is one way to promote effective communication. Methods Students participated in a case-based simulation activity on the importance of teamwork/communication and the use of SBAR and completed a pre/post survey on communicating interprofessionally. Results Students reported increased confidence and competence with interprofessional communication after the activity with 4 of 5 questions demonstrating a statistically significant increase in scores post SBAR instruction. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that SBAR is a suitable communication tool that can be used to increase our MLS students’ confidence and competency in interprofessional communication. Educators should use this communication tool to empower MLS students to be effective members of the healthcare team.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Felix Archibong ◽  
Udeme Asibong ◽  
IfeyinwaE Okoye ◽  
TonyJude Onyia ◽  
Annette Legogie ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 019394592110089
Author(s):  
Jee Young Joo ◽  
Megan F. Liu

This scoping review aimed to examine telehealth-assisted case management for chronic illnesses and assess its overall impact on health care delivery. Guided by the PRISMA statement, this review included 36 empirical studies published between 2011 and 2020. This study identified three weaknesses and four strengths of telehealth-assisted case management. While the weaknesses were negative feelings about telehealth, challenges faced by patients in learning and using telehealth devices, and increased workload for case managers, the strengths included efficient and timely care, increased access to health care services, support for patients’ satisfaction, and cost savings. Future research can be designed and conducted for overcoming the weaknesses of telehealth-assisted case management. Additionally, the strengths identified by this review need to be translated from research into case management practice for chronic illness care. This review not only describes the value of such care strategy, but also provides implications for future nursing practice and research.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-237
Author(s):  
Jignesh Sharma ◽  
Richard D. Nair

Laboratory testing on the confirmation of COVID-19 results is an essential component and without the expertise of trained laboratory technicians this is not possible. The aim of this study was to review the impacts of COVID-19 on medical laboratory staff. The literature search was done using Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Proquest databases, and relevant keywords were applied to find studies which have been conducted in the field of Medical Laboratory Science specifically looking at the impacts on staff caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. All the studies pertaining to the topic published in 2020 and 2021 in English language were reviewed and the main themes were identified. The results showed that impacts of COVID-19 were felt by the staff, as they were pushed to their limits causing stress and burnout. Apart from this laboratory staff were faced with issues such as; shortage in terms of human resources, consumables, testing kits and reagents. This was an added factor to delays in testing and disruption to the testing Turnaround time (TATs) and also contributed to the stress and burnout of staff. Laboratory professionals and other health care staffs were pushed to the limits to ensure patient care was not affected and each patient was attended too without delay. Laboratory personnel’s were pushed to their limits to ensure that test results were given on time.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 263-283
Author(s):  
Eva Ellmer ◽  
Steven Rynne ◽  
Eimear Enright

Action sports have increased in popularity, particularly over the past two decades. Research in the area has also proliferated, as multiple disciplinary perspectives and theoretical and conceptual frames have been applied to understanding and exploring a host of research questions concerning action sports culture, contexts and participants. However, despite this flurry of research activity, not much is known empirically about the learning of action sport participants, and few studies have focused specifically on learning in action sports. A scoping review was, therefore, conducted with the aim of synthesising the work that has been undertaken, and mapping future research agendas. Informed by Arksey and O’Malley’s six-stage framework, leading sports and education databases and Google Scholar were searched for empirical literature on learning in action sports published before July 2018. After the results were screened and relevant studies identified, data were extracted and analysed using a frequency and thematic analysis to form both a descriptive and thematic summary. A total of 78 empirical studies both from the peer-reviewed and grey literature were included in the scoping review. The frequency analysis concerned information on publication year, academic field, study design, study tools, sport and population. The thematic analysis led to the development of five main themes, addressing learning in social, physical, cultural, and cognitive/psychological contexts and via various forms of feedback. The majority of articles on learning in action sports were published from 2010 onward, suggesting a growing interest in the area. More theses/dissertations resulted in peer-reviewed publications; however, less than half of all reviewed journal articles were published in education/pedagogy journals. Theoretical and conceptual frameworks were rarely explicitly referenced and/or lacked clarity. There was consensus that learning in action sports is largely informal and self-regulated. With the increasing professionalisation of many action sports and their inclusion in international competition events and also in national curricula, an increase in more formalised learning is predicted. Finally, learning in action sports can be highly individualistic but only a few studies acknowledged this. A greater variety of research questions and methodologies, and more work across disciplinary boundaries will assist in the generation of new knowledge.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e019433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toula Kourgiantakis ◽  
Rachelle Ashcroft

IntroductionFamilies are significantly impacted by addictions and family involvement in treatment can reduce the harms and can also improve treatment entry, treatment completion and treatment outcomes for the individual coping with an addiction. Although the benefits of family-focused practices in addictions have been documented, services continue to have an individual focus and research on this topic is also limited. The objective of this study is to map the extent, range and nature of evidence available examining family interventions in addictions and identify gaps to guide future research, policy and practice.Methods and analysisThis is a scoping review using the five-stage framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley. We will include published and unpublished empirical studies focusing on any type of family interventions in addiction treatment between 2000 and the present in English or French. A reviewer will search for literature that meets the inclusion criteria through the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Social Services Abstracts. For a comprehensive search, we will also hand-search reference lists, web sites and key journals. Data will be charted and sorted using a thematic analysis approach.Ethics and disseminationThis review will be the first to examine all forms of family-focused practices for both substance use and problem gambling treatment for adults. It will provide information about existing service provisions and gaps in practice. This review can be used to start moving towards the development of best practices for families in addiction treatment. The results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal and at mental health and addiction conferences.


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