Scoping reviews in medical education: A scoping review

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to characterize the extent, range, and nature of scoping reviews published in core medical education journals. In so doing, the authors identify areas for improvement in the conduct and reporting of scoping reviews, and highlight opportunities for future research.MethodThe authors searched PubMed for scoping reviews published between 1999 through April 2020 in 14 medical education journals. From each review, the authors extracted and summarized key bibliometric data, the rationales given for conducting a scoping review, the research questions, and key reporting elements as described in the PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. Rationales and research questions were mapped to the reasons for conducting a scoping review, as described by Arksey and O’Malley.ResultsOne hundred and one scoping reviews were included. On average 10.1 scoping reviews (MED=4, SD=13.08) were published annually with the most reviews published in 2019 (n=42) in 13 of the included 14 journals reviewed. Academic Medicine published the most scoping reviews (n=28) overall. Authors described multiple reasons for undertaking scoping reviews, including to: summarize and disseminate research findings (n=77); examine the extent, range, and nature of research activity in a given area (n=74); and to analyze an emerging topic or heterogenous literature base (n=46). In 11 reviews there was alignment between the rationales for the scoping review and the stated research questions. No review addressed all elements of the PRISMA-ScR, with only a minority of authors publishing a protocol (n=2) or including stakeholders (n=20). Authors identified several shortcomings of scoping review methodology, including being unable to critically assess the included studies.ConclusionsMedical educators are increasingly conducting scoping reviews with a desire to characterize the literature on a topic. There is room for improvement in the reporting of scoping reviews, including the alignment of research questions, the creation and publishing of protocols, and the inclusion of external stakeholders in published works.

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Learning in action sports: A scoping review

European Physical Education Review ◽

10.1177/1356336x19851535 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 263-283

Author(s):

Eva Ellmer ◽

Steven Rynne ◽

Eimear Enright

Keyword(s):

Thematic Analysis ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Empirical Literature ◽

Future Research ◽

Research Activity ◽

Action Sports ◽

Academic Field ◽

Research Questions

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.

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Exploration of stress management interventions to address psychological stress in stroke survivors: a protocol for a scoping review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035592 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. e035592

Author(s):

Madeleine Hinwood ◽

Marina Ilicic ◽

Prajwal Gyawali ◽

Murielle Gabriela Kluge ◽

Kirsten Coupland ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stress Management ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Future Research ◽

Stroke Survivors ◽

Brain Repair ◽

Management Interventions ◽

Study Selection ◽

Research Findings ◽

Research Questions

IntroductionSeveral studies have shown that stroke survivors report experiencing high and unremitting levels of stress, which can negatively affect brain repair processes and psychological outcomes and thereby compromise recovery. However, it is presently unclear which interventions have been trialled to manage stress in stroke survivors and whether they translate to clinically relevant outcomes. The aim of this scoping review will be to examine stress management interventions in stroke survivors in order to map the types of interventions trialled, commonly reported stress outcome measures and whether a reduction in stress contributes to reductions in relevant clinical outcomes.Methods and analysisThe methodological framework described in Arksey and O’Malley will be applied to this review. A draft search strategy was developed in collaboration with an experienced senior health research librarian. A systematic search of Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane library, PsycInfo and Clinicaltrials.gov as well as hand searching of reference lists and reviews will identify relevant studies for inclusion. To be eligible for inclusion, studies must report on the outcomes of an intervention targeting stress management and resilience in stroke survivors. Study selection and critical appraisal of selected studies will be carried out independently by two authors, with discrepancies resolved by consensus. Data will be charted using a standard extraction form. Results will be tabulated and narratively summarised to highlight findings relevant to our research questions and to inform recommendations for future research.Ethics and disseminationThis study does not require ethics approval. This scoping review will provide a synthesis of evidence for stress management interventions in stroke survivors. It will identify and clarify the gaps in stress research specific to stroke pathologies and highlight promising interventions for future research. Findings will be relevant to researchers and healthcare workers and will be disseminated via publications in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences.

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Virtual reality in medical students’ education: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046986 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. e046986

Author(s):

Jiang Haowen ◽

Sunitha Vimalesvaran ◽

Bhone Myint Kyaw ◽

Lorainne Tudor Car

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Real Life ◽

Future Research ◽

Review Author ◽

Reference List ◽

Scoping Reviews

BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) is a technology that produces a virtual manifestation of the real world. In recent years, VR has been increasingly used as a tool in medical education. The use of VR in medical education has large potential, as it allows for distance learning and training which may be challenging to deliver in real life. VR encompasses different tools and applications. There is a need to explore how VR has been employed in medical education to date.ObjectiveThe objective of this scoping review is to conceptualise the VR tools available and the applications of VR in undergraduate medical education as reported in the literature. This scoping review will identify any gaps in this field and provide suggestions for future research.Methods and analysisThe relevant studies will be examined using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological framework for scoping studies. A comprehensive search from a total of six electronic databases and grey literature sources will be performed. The reference list of included studies will be screened for additional studies. The screening and data extraction will be done in parallel and independently by two review authors. Any discrepancies will be resolved through consensus or discussion with a third review author. A data extraction form has been developed using key themes from the research questions. The extracted data will be qualitatively analysed and presented in a diagrammatic or tabular form, alongside a narrative summary, in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis: extension for Scoping Reviews reporting guidelines.Ethics and disseminationAll data will be collected from published and grey literature. Ethics approval is therefore not a requirement. We will present our findings at relevant conferences and submit them for publications in peer-reviewed journals.

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Applied sport science and medicine of women’s rugby codes: a systematic-scoping review and consensus on future research priorities protocol

BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine ◽

10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001108 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. e001108

Author(s):

Omar Heyward ◽

Stacey Emmonds ◽

Gregory Roe ◽

Sean Scantlebury ◽

Keith Stokes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Consensus Method ◽

Future Research ◽

Delphi Consensus ◽

Medicine Research ◽

Sport Science ◽

Priority Areas ◽

Wide Range ◽

Scoping Reviews

Women’s rugby (rugby league, rugby union and rugby sevens) has recently grown in participation and professionalisation. There is under-representation of women-only cohorts within applied sport science and medicine research and within the women’s rugby evidence base. The aims of this article are: Part 1: to undertake a systematic-scoping review of the applied sport science and medicine of women’s rugby, and Part 2: to develop a consensus statement on future research priorities. This article will be designed in two parts: Part 1: a systematic-scoping review, and Part 2: a three-round Delphi consensus method. For Part 1, systematic searches of three electronic databases (PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, SPORTDiscus (EBSCOhost)) will be performed from the earliest record. These databases will be searched to identify any sport science and medicine themed studies within women’s rugby. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for Scoping Reviews will be adhered to. Part 2 involves a three-round Delphi consensus method to identify future research priorities. Identified experts in women’s rugby will be provided with overall findings from Part 1 to inform decision-making. Participants will then be asked to provide a list of research priority areas. Over the three rounds, priority areas achieving consensus (≥70% agreement) will be identified. This study has received institutional ethical approval. When complete, the manuscript will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The findings of this article will have relevance for a wide range of stakeholders in women’s rugby, including policymakers and governing bodies.

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Health Inequalities in Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review of the Mediating and Moderating Effects of Family Characteristics

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18157739 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (15) ◽

pp. 7739

Author(s):

Miriam Blume ◽

Petra Rattay ◽

Stephanie Hoffmann ◽

Jacob Spallek ◽

Lydia Sander ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Health Inequalities ◽

Scoping Review ◽

The United States ◽

Family Characteristics ◽

Future Research ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Moderating Effects ◽

Scoping Reviews

This scoping review systematically mapped evidence of the mediating and moderating effects of family characteristics on health inequalities in school-aged children and adolescents (6–18 years) in countries with developed economies in Europe and North America. We conducted a systematic scoping review following the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews recommendations. We searched the PubMed, PsycINFO and Scopus databases. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and full texts. Evidence was synthesized narratively. Of the 12,403 records initially identified, 50 articles were included in the synthesis. The included studies were conducted in the United States (n = 27), Europe (n = 18), Canada (n = 3), or in multiple countries combined (n = 2). We found that mental health was the most frequently assessed health outcome. The included studies reported that different family characteristics mediated or moderated health inequalities. Parental mental health, parenting practices, and parent-child-relationships were most frequently examined, and were found to be important mediating or moderating factors. In addition, family conflict and distress were relevant family characteristics. Future research should integrate additional health outcomes besides mental health, and attempt to integrate the complexity of families. The family characteristics identified in this review represent potential starting points for reducing health inequalities in childhood and adolescence.

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Scoping review protocol: bladder cancer in Nigeria: what are the gaps in clinical care and research?

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041894 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. e041894

Author(s):

Joyce Kibaru ◽

Pinky Kotecha ◽

Abdulkarim Muhammad Iya ◽

Beth Russell ◽

Muzzammil Abdullahi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bladder Cancer ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Low Income ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Case Series ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Future Research ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Local Risk

IntroductionBladder cancer (BC) is the 10th common cancer worldwide and ranks seventh in Nigeria. This scoping review aims to identify the gaps in clinical care and research of BC in Nigeria as part of the development of a larger national research programme aiming to improve outcomes and care of BC.Methods and analysisThis review will be conducted according to Arksey and O’Malley scoping review methodology framework. The following electronic databases will be searched: Medline (using the PubMed interface), Ovid Gateway (Embase and Ovid), Cochrane library and Open Grey literature. Two independent reviewers will screen titles and abstracts and subsequently screen full-text studies for inclusion, any lack of consensus will be discussed with a third reviewer. Any study providing insight into the epidemiology or treatment pathway of BC (RCTs, observations, case series, policy paper) will be included. A data chart will be used to extract relevant data from the included studies. Results will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews. A consultation process will be carried out with a multidisciplinary team of Nigerian healthcare professionals, patients and scientists.Ethics and disseminationThe results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications. By highlighting the key gaps in the literature, this review can provide direction for future research and clinical guidelines in Nigeria (and other low-income and middle-income countries), where BC is more prevalent due to local risk factors and healthcare settings.

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Approaches to the rationalization of surgical instrument trays: scoping review and research agenda

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-06142-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Bruno Miranda dos Santos ◽

Flavio Sanson Fogliatto ◽

Carolina Melecardi Zani ◽

Fernanda Araujo Pimentel Peres

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Surgical Instruments ◽

Future Research ◽

Healthcare Organizations ◽

Research Directions ◽

Lean Practices ◽

Study Selection ◽

Expert Analysis ◽

Future Research Directions ◽

Research Questions

Abstract Background Surgical Tray Rationalization (STR) consists of a systematic reduction in the number of surgical instruments to perform specific procedures without compromising patient safety while reducing losses in the sterilization and assembly of trays. STR is one example of initiatives to improve process performance that have been widely reported in industrial settings but only recently have gained popularity in healthcare organizations. Methods We conduct a scoping review of the literature to identify and map available evidence on surgical tray management. Five methodological stages are implemented and reported; they are: identifying research questions, identifying relevant studies, study selection, charting the data, and collating, summarizing and reporting the results. Results We reviewed forty-eight articles on STR, which were grouped according to their main proposed approaches: expert analysis, lean practices, and mathematical programming. We identify the most frequently used techniques within each approach and point to their potential contributions to operational and economic dimensions of STR. We also consolidate our findings, proposing a roadmap to STR with four generic steps (prepare, rationalize, implement, and consolidate) and recommended associated techniques. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, ours is the first study that reviews and systematizes the existing literature on the subject of STR. Our study closes with the proposition of future research directions, which are presented as nine research questions associated with the four generic steps proposed in the STR roadmap.

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Older age as a time to contribute: a scoping review of generativity in later life

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x21001379 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-22

Author(s):

Feliciano Villar ◽

Rodrigo Serrat ◽

Michael W. Pratt

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Older Persons ◽

Leading Edge ◽

Later Life ◽

Dark Side ◽

Future Research ◽

Cultural Contexts ◽

The Past ◽

Research Questions ◽

Methodological Approaches

Abstract Research on later-life generativity has promoted a new view of older persons that, far from the traditional images of disability, dependence and frailty, recognises their capacities, and potential to continue growing, while underlining their participation and contributions to families, communities and society. The goal of this study was to carry out a scoping review on later-life generativity, the first one conducted on this topic as far as we know, to show how studies in this area have evolved, which aspects of generativity in later life have been studied, and the methodological and epistemological approaches that are dominant in this area of inquiry. Our scoping review shows that research into generativity in later life has grown steadily over the past 30 years, and particularly during the last decade. However, our results also show how such growing interest has focused on certain methodological approaches, epistemological frameworks and cultural contexts. We identify four critical gaps and leading-edge research questions that should be at the forefront of future research into generativity in later life, gaps that reflect biases in the existing literature identified in the study. These are classified as methodological, developmental, contextual and ‘dark-side’ gaps.

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A scoping review of Clinical Studies, Hospital Group Reports and National Strategic Documents on vascular access devices in cancer patients

The Journal of Vascular Access ◽

10.1177/11297298211041443 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 112972982110414

Author(s):

Jennifer Clesham ◽

Helen Reynolds ◽

Peter J Carr

Keyword(s):

Cancer Patients ◽

Vascular Access ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Future Research ◽

Infection Rates ◽

Vascular Access Devices ◽

Access Device ◽

Catheter Related Infection ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Study Designs

Introduction: The extent of vascular/venous access device (VAD) research output from the Island of Ireland is unknown. The identification of the papers available is important to create a future research agenda. Objectives: The main objective of this study is to answer three questions: What is the number and descriptive quality of reported Vascular Access Device literature from the Island of Ireland? Is the reporting of Catheter Related Infection rates for cancer patients common in Irish Hospital Groups, National Cancer Reports and Publication Outputs? What are the implications for future research in this area? Methods: We used a scoping review and searched selected databases, grey literature and hospital regulatory bodies websites following the Joanna Briggs Institute Guidelines 2017. A data charting form was developed based on a template from the Joanna Briggs Institute and this was used to extract data from the included reports. Results: A total of 660 reports were screened. Sixty-one full text articles were reviewed from which 20 reports were included for data extraction. Of the reports included the following designs were used: nine retrospective study designs, four guidelines, two prospective study designs, two literature reviews and one of the following; survey, case study and cross sectional analysis designs. We did not identify any randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analysis, meta-synthesis and scoping reviews. Five studies included catheter related infection rates. Gaps in the research include the collection of data sets and the need to establish a VAD registry; develop core outcomes for VADs; assessment and evaluation of VAD care bundles among cancer patients; and, the inclusion of public and patient involvement in future VAD research. Conclusion: The reporting of VAD outcomes in published literature regarding cancer patients receiving treatment in Ireland is inconsistent and varied with no interventional studies addressing vascular access complications in cancer care.

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Virtual Reality in Medical Students’ Education: A Scoping Review (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.34860 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Haowen Jiang ◽

Sunitha Vimalesvaran ◽

Jeremy King Wang ◽

Kee Boon Lim ◽

Sreenivasulu Reddy Mogali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Virtual Worlds ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

3D Models ◽

Bibliographic Databases ◽

Future Research ◽

Psychomotor Skills ◽

Group Setting

BACKGROUND Virtual reality (VR) is a digital education modality that produces a virtual manifestation of the real world and it has been increasingly used in medical education. As VR encompasses different modalities, tools and applications, there is a need to explore how VR has been employed in medical education. OBJECTIVE The objective of this scoping review is to map existing research on the use of VR in undergraduate medical education and to identify areas of future research METHODS We performed a search of 4 bibliographic databases in December 2020, with data extracted using a standardized data extraction form. The data was narratively synthesized and reported in line with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. RESULTS Of 114 included studies, 69 studies (61%) reported the use of commercially available surgical VR simulators. Other VR modalities included 3D models (15 [14%]) and virtual worlds (20 [18%]), mainly used for anatomy education. Most of the VR modalities included were semi-immersive (68 [60%]) and of high interactivity (79 [70%]). There is limited evidence on the use of more novel VR modalities such as mobile VR and virtual dissection tables (8 [7%]), as well as the use of VR for training of non-surgical and non-psychomotor skills (20 [18%]) or in group setting (16 [14%]). Only 3 studies reported the use conceptual frameworks or theories in the design of VR. CONCLUSIONS Despite extensive research available on VR in medical education, there continues to be important gaps in the evidence. Future studies should explore the use of VR for the development of non-psychomotor skills and in areas other than surgery and anatomy.

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