scholarly journals Theatres without borders: a systematic review of the use of intraoperative telemedicine in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjinnov-2021-000837
Author(s):  
Hariharan Subbiah Ponniah ◽  
Viraj Shah ◽  
Arian Arjomandi Rad ◽  
Robert Vardanyan ◽  
George Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Cochrane Collaboration ◽  
Optimal Care ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries

ObjectiveThis systematic review aims to provide a summary of the use of real-time telementoring, telesurgical consultation and telesurgery in surgical procedures in patients in low/middle-income countries (LMICs).DesignA systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement and the Cochrane Collaboration published guidelines.Data sourcesEMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for original articles and case reports that discussed telementoring, telesurgery or telesurgical consultation in countries defined as low-income or middle-income (as per the World Banks’s 2021–2022 classifications) from inception to August 2021.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesAll original articles and case reports were included if they reported the use of telemedicine, telesurgery or telesurgical consultation in procedures conducted on patients in LMICs.ResultsThere were 12 studies which discussed the use of telementoring in 55 patients in LMICs and included a variety of surgical specialities. There was one study that discussed the use of telesurgical consultation in 15 patients in LMICs and one study that discussed the use of telesurgery in one patient.ConclusionThe presence of intraoperative telemedicine in LMICs represents a principal move towards improving access to specialist surgical care for patients in resource-poor settings. Not only do several studies demonstrate that it facilitates training and educational opportunities, but it remains a relatively frugal and efficient method of doing so, through empowering local surgeons in LMICs towards offering optimal care while remaining in their respective communities.

scholarly journals Economics of physical activity in low-income and middle- income countries: a systematic review

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e037784
Author(s):  
Priyanga Diloshini Ranasinghe ◽  
Subhash Pokhrel ◽  
Nana Kwame Anokye
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Drug Treatment ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Economic Burden ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries

BackgroundPromotion of physical activity (PA) among populations is a global health investment. However, evidence on economic aspects of PA is sparse and scattered in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to summarise the available evidence on economics of PA in LMICs, identify potential target variables for policy and report gaps in the existing economic evidence alongside research recommendations.Data sourcesA systematic review of the electronic databases (Scopus, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus) and grey literature.Study eligibility criteriaCost-of-illness studies, economic evaluations, interventions and descriptive studies on economic factors associated with PA using preset eligibility criteria.Study appraisal and synthesis of methodsScreening, study selection and quality appraisal based on standard checklists performed by two reviewers with consensus of a third reviewer. Descriptive synthesis of data was performed.ResultsThe majority of the studies were from upper-middle-income countries (n=16, 88.8%) and mainly from Brazil (n=9, 50%). Only one economic evaluation study was found. The focus of the reviewed literature spanned the economic burden of physical inactivity (n=4, 22%), relationship between PA and costs (n=6, 46%) and socioeconomic determinants of PA (n=7, 39%). The findings showed a considerable economic burden due to insufficient PA, with LMICs accounting for 75% of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally due to insufficient PA. Socioeconomic correlates of PA were identified, and inverse relationship of PA with the cost of chronic diseases was established. Regular PA along with drug treatment as a treatment scheme for chronic diseases showed advantages with a cost–utility ratio of US$3.21/quality-adjusted life year (QALY) compared with the drug treatment-only group (US$3.92/QALY) by the only economic evaluation conducted in the LMIC, Brazil.LimitationsMeta-analysis was not performed due to heterogeneity of the studies.Conclusions and recommendationsEconomic evaluation studies for PA promotion interventions/strategies and local research from low-income countries are grossly inadequate. Setting economic research agenda in LMICs ought to be prioritised in those areas.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018099856.

scholarly journals Perioperative mortality rates in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. e000810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua S Ng-Kamstra ◽  
Sumedha Arya ◽  
Sarah L M Greenberg ◽  
Meera Kotagal ◽  
Catherine Arsenault ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Perioperative Mortality ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Wide Range

IntroductionThe Lancet Commission on Global Surgery proposed the perioperative mortality rate (POMR) as one of the six key indicators of the strength of a country’s surgical system. Despite its widespread use in high-income settings, few studies have described procedure-specific POMR across low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to estimate POMR across a wide range of surgical procedures in LMICs. We also describe how POMR is defined and reported in the LMIC literature to provide recommendations for future monitoring in resource-constrained settings.MethodsWe did a systematic review of studies from LMICs published from 2009 to 2014 reporting POMR for any surgical procedure. We extracted select variables in duplicate from each included study and pooled estimates of POMR by type of procedure using random-effects meta-analysis of proportions and the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation to stabilise variances.ResultsWe included 985 studies conducted across 83 LMICs, covering 191 types of surgical procedures performed on 1 020 869 patients. Pooled POMR ranged from less than 0.1% for appendectomy, cholecystectomy and caesarean delivery to 20%–27% for typhoid intestinal perforation, intracranial haemorrhage and operative head injury. We found no consistent associations between procedure-specific POMR and Human Development Index (HDI) or income-group apart from emergency peripartum hysterectomy POMR, which appeared higher in low-income countries. Inpatient mortality was the most commonly used definition, though only 46.2% of studies explicitly defined the time frame during which deaths accrued.ConclusionsEfforts to improve access to surgical care in LMICs should be accompanied by investment in improving the quality and safety of care. To improve the usefulness of POMR as a safety benchmark, standard reporting items should be included with any POMR estimate. Choosing a basket of procedures for which POMR is tracked may offer institutions and countries the standardisation required to meaningfully compare surgical outcomes across contexts and improve population health outcomes.

scholarly journals Evidence on Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the Challenges Faced in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Qualitative Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Farah ◽  
Wim Groot ◽  
Milena Pavlova
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Pulmonary Rehabilitation ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Rehabilitation Programs ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries

Abstract Background In low-income countries (LIC) and low-middle-income countries (LMIC), the burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has increased due to the lack of prevention and the presence of barriers to enter rehabilitation programs. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the evidence on pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in LIC and LMIC. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted. Four electronic databases were searched for qualitative and quantitative studies that documented the presence of PR in LIC and LMIC. We report our findings following the Prisma guidelines. In addition, grey literature was also searched. Articles not in English, presenting a point of view and/or not treating an adult population (< 18 years old) were excluded from the review. Data were extracted by one reviewer and synthesized in the form of tables. Tables present individual characteristics of the PR reported within countries, including country of origin, study design, population attending, intervention (kind of program setting), frequency and duration of a program established (if available), with health outcomes. The PICO framework was used for every country with reported PR to assess population, intervention, comparison and outcomes found. This systematic review is registered on Prospero: CRD42020141655. Results In total, 47 publications were included in the review. In LIC, PR for HIV-infected patients was most frequently reported, while in LMIC, PR for COPD patients was most frequent. Duration and frequency of treatments reported were also different in LIC and LMIC. Health outcomes on cardiopulmonary function were established in all publications. Results found that the implementation of PR in LMIC is ongoing. The most important barriers to access are the lack of funds and know-how among professional healthcare givers. Conclusion Findings suggest that the literature on PR is scarce in LIC and LMIC. Structured or non-structured rehabilitation programs for patients suffering from COPD, HIV and Tuberculosis, are infrequently available. Strategic policy initiatives to diminish barriers and challenges are needed to implement more PR programs in LIC and LMIC.

Systematic Review of Barriers to Surgical Care in Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 941-950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caris E. Grimes ◽  
Kendra G. Bowman ◽  
Christopher M. Dodgion ◽  
Christopher B. D. Lavy
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries

Surgical care by non-surgeons in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review

The Lancet ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 385 ◽  
pp. S42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marguerite Hoyler ◽  
Lars Hagander ◽  
Rowan Gillies ◽  
Robert Riviello ◽  
Kathryn Chu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries

scholarly journals Improving outcomes for neonates with gastroschisis in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review protocol

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. e000392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi J Wright ◽  
Monica Langer ◽  
Irena CF Norman ◽  
Melika Akhbari ◽  
Q Eileen Wafford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries

IntroductionThere is a significant disparity in outcomes for neonates with gastroschisis in high-income countries (HICs) compared with low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Many LMICs report mortality rates between 75% and 100% compared with <4% in HICs.AimTo undertake a systematic review identifying postnatal interventions associated with improved outcomes for gastroschisis in LMICs.Methods and analysisThree search strings will be combined: (1) neonates; (2) gastroschisis and other gastrointestinal congenital anomalies requiring similar surgical care; (3) LMICs. Databases to be searched include MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis Global, and the Cochrane Library. Grey literature will be identified through Open-Grey, ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry and ISRCTN registry (Springer Nature). Additional studies will be sought from reference lists of included studies. Study screening, selection, data extraction and assessment of methodological quality will be undertaken by two reviewers independently and team consensus sought on discrepancies. The primary outcome of interest is mortality. Secondary outcomes include complications, requirement for ventilation, parenteral nutrition duration and length of hospital stay. Tertiary outcomes include service delivery and implementation outcomes. The methodology of the studies will be appraised. Descriptive statistics and outcomes will be summarised and discussed.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required since no new data are being collected. Dissemination will be via open access publication in a peer-reviewed medical journal and distribution among global health, global surgery and children’s surgical collaborations and international conferences.ConclusionThis study will systematically review literature focused on postnatal interventions to improve outcomes from gastroschisis in LMICs. Findings can be used to help inform quality improvement projects in low-resource settings for patients with gastroschisis. In the first instance, results will be used to inform a Wellcome Trust-funded multicentre clinical interventional study aimed at improving outcomes for gastroschisis across sub-Saharan Africa.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018095349.

scholarly journals Implementation of clean cookstove interventions and its effects on blood pressure in low-income and middle-income countries: systematic review

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e026517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Onakomaiya ◽  
Joyce Gyamfi ◽  
Juliet Iwelunmor ◽  
Jumoke Opeyemi ◽  
Mofetoluwa Oluwasanmi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Implementation Science ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Implementation Outcomes

ObjectiveA review of the implementation outcomes of clean cookstove use, and its effects on blood pressure (BP) in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).DesignSystematic review of studies that reported the effect of clean cookstove use on BP among women, and implementation science outcomes in LMICs.Data sourcesWe searched PubMed, Embase, INSPEC, Scielo, Cochrane Library, Global Health and Web of Science PLUS. We conducted searches in November 2017 with a repeat in May 2018. We did not restrict article publication date.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesWe included only studies conducted in LMICs, published in English, regardless of publication year and studies that examined the use of improved or clean cookstove intervention on BP. Two authors independently screened journal article titles, abstracts and full-text articles to identify those that included the following search terms: high BP, hypertension and or household air pollution, LMICs, cookstove and implementation outcomes.ResultsOf the 461 non-duplicate articles identified, three randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (in Nigeria, Guatemala and Ghana) and two studies of pre–post design (in Bolivia and Nicaragua) met eligibility criteria. These articles evaluated the effect of cookstove use on BP in women. Two of the three RCTs reported a mean reduction in diastolic BP of −2.8 mm Hg (−5.0, –0.6; p=0.01) for the Nigerian study; −3.0 mm Hg; (−5.7, –0.4; p=0.02) for the Guatemalan study; while the study conducted in Ghana reported a non-significant change in BP. The pre–post studies reported a significant reduction in mean systolic BP of −5.5 mm Hg; (p=0.01) for the Bolivian study, and −5.9 mm Hg (−11.3, –0.4; p=0.05) for the Nicaraguan study. Implementation science outcomes were reported in all five studies (three reported feasibility, one reported adoption and one reported feasibility and adoption of cookstove interventions).ConclusionAlthough this review demonstrated that there is limited evidence on the implementation of clean cookstove use in LMICs, the effects of clean cookstove on BP were significant for both systolic and diastolic BP among women. Future studies should consider standardised reporting of implementation outcomes.

scholarly journals Inclusion of participants from low-income and middle-income countries in core outcome sets development: a systematic review

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. e049981
Author(s):  
Jamlick Karumbi ◽  
Sarah L Gorst ◽  
David Gathara ◽  
Elizabeth Gargon ◽  
Bridget Young ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Study Participant ◽  
Core Outcome ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Core Outcome Sets ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Patient Reported

ObjectiveOur study aims to describe differences or similarities in the scope, participant characteristics and methods used in core outcome sets (COS) development when only participants from high-income countries (HICs) were involved compared with when participants from low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) were also involved.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesAnnual Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials systematic reviews of COS which are updated based on SCOPUS and MEDLINE, searches. The latest systematic review included studies published up to the end of 2019.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesWe included studies reporting development of a COS for use in research regardless of age, health condition or setting. Studies reporting the development of a COS for patient-reported outcomes or adverse events or complications were also included.Data extraction and synthesisData were extracted in relation to scope of the COS study, participant categories and the methods used in outcome selection.ResultsStudies describing 370 COS were identified in the database. Of these, 75 (20%) included participants from LMICs. Only four COS were initiated from an LMIC setting. More than half of COS with LMIC participants were developed in the last 5 years. Cancer and rheumatology were the dominant disease domains. Overall, over 259 (70%) of COS explicitly reported including clinical experts; this was higher where LMIC participants were also included 340 (92%). Most LMIC participants were from China, Brazil and South Africa. Mixed methods for consensus building were used across the two settings.ConclusionProgress has been made in including LMIC participants in the development of COS, however, there is a need to explore how to enable initiation of COS development from a range of LMIC settings, how to ensure prioritisation of COS that better reflects the burden of disease in these contexts and how to improve public participation from LMICs.

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