Grand Challenges as Educational Innovations in Higher Education: A Scoping Review of the Literature

Grand challenges are complex problems that are common to much of society, affect large populations, and may have several possible solutions. Incorporation of grand challenges into higher education courses can facilitate the development of collaborative problem-solving skills while providing relevant and practical opportunities to experience the dynamics involved in real-world work. Although grand challenges are becoming more commonly used in higher education, to date, there has been no synthesis of how grand challenges are incorporated and the learning outcomes of engaging in grand challenge work. In this scoping review, we examined and mapped the state of evidence for the use of grand challenges in higher education. We conducted the review according to the Johanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and considered quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies as well as literature reviews, program descriptions, and opinion papers published in English without limitations on year of publication. We used a data extraction tool to synthesize and present our findings in a tabular form with accompanying narrative summaries. The results reveal a growing global interest in the use of grand challenges in higher education while highlighting a lack of rigorous empirical evidence on the impact on student learning.

Download Full-text

Community Initiatives to Promote Basic Life Support Implementation—A Scoping Review

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10245719 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (24) ◽

pp. 5719

Author(s):

Andrea Scapigliati ◽

Drieda Zace ◽

Tasuku Matsuyama ◽

Luca Pisapia ◽

Michela Saviani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hospital Discharge ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Basic Life Support ◽

Life Support ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Screening Process ◽

Community Initiatives ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Bystander Cpr ◽

The Impact

Introduction: Early intervention of bystanders (the first links of the chain of survival) have been shown to improve survival and good neurological outcomes of patients suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Many initiatives have been implemented to increase the engagement of communities in early basic life support (BLS) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), especially of lay people with no duty to respond. A better knowledge of the most effective initiatives might help improve survival and health system organization. Aim of the scoping review: To assess the impact of specific interventions involving lay communities on bystander BLS rates and other consistent clinical outcomes, and to identify relevant knowledge gaps. Methods: This scoping review was part of the continuous evidence evaluation process of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), and was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. We performed a literature search using the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases until 1 February 2021. The screening process was conducted based on predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria, and for each included study, we performed data extraction focusing on the type of intervention implemented, and the impact of these interventions on the specific OHCAs outcomes. Results: Our search strategy identified 19 eligible studies, originating mainly from the USA (47.4%) and Denmark (21%). The type of intervention included in 57.9% of cases was a community CPR training program, in 36.8% bundled interventions, and in 5.3% mass-media campaigns. The most commonly reported outcome for OHCAs was bystander CPR rate (94.7%), followed by survival to hospital discharge (36.8%), proportion of people trained (31.6%), survival to hospital discharge with good neurological outcome (21%), and Return of Spontaneous Circulation (10.5%). Community training programs and bundled interventions improved bystander CPR in most of the included studies. Conclusion: Based on the results of our scoping review, we identified the potential benefit of community initiatives, such as community training in BLS, even as part of bundled intervention, in order to improve bystander CPR rates and patient outcomes.

Download Full-text

Public health implications of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: a rapid scoping review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055781 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. e055781

Author(s):

Mari Somerville ◽

Janet A Curran ◽

Justine Dol ◽

Leah Boulos ◽

Lynora Saxinger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Systematic Reviews ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Control Measures ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Health Measures ◽

Infection Control Measures ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

The Impact

ObjectivesThe four SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC; Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta) identified by May 2021 are highly transmissible, yet little is known about their impact on public health measures. We aimed to synthesise evidence related to public health measures and VOC.DesignA rapid scoping review.Data sourcesOn 11 May 2021, seven databases (MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Central Register of Controlled Trials, Epistemonikos’ L-OVE on COVID-19, medRxiv, bioRxiv) were searched for terms related to VOC, public health measures, transmission and health systems. No limit was placed on date of publication.Eligibility criteriaStudies were included if they reported on any of the four VOCs and public health measures, and were available in English. Only studies reporting on data collected after October 2020, when the first VOC was reported, were included.Data extraction and synthesisTitles, abstracts and full-text articles were screened by two independent reviewers. Data extraction was completed by two independent reviewers using a standardised form. Data synthesis and reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines.ResultsOf the 37 included studies, the majority assessed the impact of Alpha (n=32) and were conducted in Europe (n=12) or the UK (n=9). Most were modelling studies (n=28) and preprints (n=28). The majority of studies reported on infection control measures (n=17), followed by modifying approaches to vaccines (n=13), physical distancing (n=6) and either mask wearing, testing or hand washing (n=2). Findings suggest an accelerated vaccine rollout is needed to mitigate the spread of VOC.ConclusionsThe increased severity of VOC requires proactive public health measures to control their spread. Further research is needed to strengthen the evidence for continued implementation of public health measures in conjunction with vaccine rollout. With no studies reporting on Delta, there is a need for further research on this and other emerging VOC on public health measures.

Download Full-text

Artificial Intelligence for Skin Cancer Detection: A Scoping Review (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.22934 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Abdulrahman Takiddin ◽

Jens Schneider ◽

Yin Yang ◽

Alaa Abd-Alrazaq ◽

Mowafa Househ

Keyword(s):

Artificial Intelligence ◽

Skin Cancer ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Performance Metrics ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

Evaluation Metrics ◽

Cancer Type ◽

Computer Algorithms ◽

Scoping Reviews

BACKGROUND Skin cancer is the most common cancer type affecting humans. Traditional skin cancer diagnosis methods are costly, require a professional physician, and take time. Hence, to aid in diagnosing skin cancer, Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are being used, including shallow and deep machine learning-based techniques that are trained to detect and classify skin cancer using computer algorithms and deep neural networks. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to identify and group the different types of AI-based technologies used to detect and classify skin cancer. The study also examines the reliability of the selected papers by studying the correlation between the dataset size and number of diagnostic classes with the performance metrics used to evaluate the models. METHODS We conducted a systematic search for articles using IEEE Xplore, ACM DL, and Ovid MEDLINE databases following the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. The study included in this scoping review had to fulfill several selection criteria; to be specifically about skin cancer, detecting or classifying skin cancer, and using AI technologies. Study selection and data extraction were conducted by two reviewers independently. Extracted data were synthesized narratively, where studies were grouped based on the diagnostic AI techniques and their evaluation metrics. RESULTS We retrieved 906 papers from the 3 databases, but 53 studies were eligible for this review. While shallow techniques were used in 14 studies, deep techniques were utilized in 39 studies. The studies used accuracy (n=43/53), the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (n=5/53), sensitivity (n=3/53), and F1-score (n=2/53) to assess the proposed models. Studies that use smaller datasets and fewer diagnostic classes tend to have higher reported accuracy scores. CONCLUSIONS The adaptation of AI in the medical field facilitates the diagnosis process of skin cancer. However, the reliability of most AI tools is questionable since small datasets or low numbers of diagnostic classes are used. In addition, a direct comparison between methods is hindered by a varied use of different evaluation metrics and image types.

Download Full-text

Antimicrobial Use in COVID-19 Patients in the First Phase of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10060745 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 745

Author(s):

Wenjuan Cong ◽

Ak Narayan Poudel ◽

Nour Alhusein ◽

Hexing Wang ◽

Guiqing Yao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Critical Illness ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Clinical Evidence ◽

Length Of Hospital Stay ◽

Severity Of Illness ◽

Antibiotic Prescribing ◽

Antimicrobial Use ◽

Clinical Scenarios ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

The Impact

This scoping review provides new evidence on the prevalence and patterns of global antimicrobial use in the treatment of COVID-19 patients; identifies the most commonly used antibiotics and clinical scenarios associated with antibiotic prescribing in the first phase of the pandemic; and explores the impact of documented antibiotic prescribing on treatment outcomes in COVID-19 patients. The review complies with PRISMA guidelines for Scoping Reviews and the protocol is registered with the Open Science Framework. In the first six months of the pandemic, there was a similar mean antibiotic prescribing rate between patients with severe or critical illness (75.4%) and patients with mild or moderate illness (75.1%). The proportion of patients prescribed antibiotics without clinical justification was 51.5% vs. 41.9% for patients with mild or moderate illness and those with severe or critical illness. Comparison of patients who were provided antibiotics with a clinical justification with those who were given antibiotics without clinical justification showed lower mortality rates (9.5% vs. 13.1%), higher discharge rates (80.9% vs. 69.3%), and shorter length of hospital stay (9.3 days vs. 12.2 days). In the first 6 months of the pandemic, antibiotics were prescribed for COVID-19 patients regardless of severity of illness. A large proportion of antibiotic prescribing for mild and moderate COVID-19 patients did not have clinical evidence of a bacterial co-infection. Antibiotics may not be beneficial to COVID-19 patients without clinical evidence of a bacterial co-infection.

Download Full-text

Instruments for measuring nursing research competence: a protocol for a scoping review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042325 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e042325

Author(s):

Qirong Chen ◽

Chongmei Huang ◽

Aimee R Castro ◽

Siyuan Tang

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Target Population ◽

Measurement Properties ◽

Nursing Research ◽

Measurement Instruments ◽

Health Measurement ◽

Research Competence ◽

Scoping Reviews

IntroductionNursing research competence of nursing personnel has received much attention in recent years, as nursing has developed as both an independent academic discipline and an evidence-based practiing profession. Instruments for appraising nursing research competence are important, as they can be used to assess nursing research competence of the target population, showing changes of this variable over time and measuring the effectiveness of interventions for improving nursing research competence. There is a need to map the current state of the science of the instruments for nursing research competence, and to identify well validated and reliable instruments. This paper describes a protocol for a scoping review to identify, evaluate, compare and summarise the instruments designed to measure nursing research competence.Methods and analysisThe scoping review will be conducted following Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework and Levac et al’s additional recommendations for applying this framework. The scoping review will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. The protocol is registered through the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/ksh43/). Eight English databases and two Chinese databases will be searched between 1 December 2020 and 31 December 2020 to retrieve manuscripts which include instrument(s) of nursing research competence. The literature screening and data extraction will be conducted by two researchers, independently. A third researcher will be involved when consensus is needed. The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments methodology will be used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies on measurement properties of the instruments, as well as the quality of all the instruments identified.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not needed. We will disseminate the findings through a conference focusing on nursing research competence and publication of the results in a peer-reviewed journal.

Download Full-text

Diagnosing Overtraining Syndrome: A Scoping Review

Sports Health A Multidisciplinary Approach ◽

10.1177/19417381211044739 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 194173812110447

Author(s):

Justin Carrard ◽

Anne-Catherine Rigort ◽

Christian Appenzeller-Herzog ◽

Flora Colledge ◽

Karsten Königstein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Sports Medicine ◽

Female Athletes ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Exercise Tests ◽

Overtraining Syndrome ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Study Characteristics

Context: Overtraining syndrome (OTS) is a condition characterized by a long-term performance decrement, which occurs after a persisting imbalance between training-related and nontraining-related load and recovery. Because of the lack of a gold standard diagnostic test, OTS remains a diagnosis of exclusion. Objective: To systematically review and map biomarkers and tools reported in the literature as potentially diagnostic for OTS. Data Sources: PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus were searched from database inception to February 4, 2021, and results screened for eligibility. Backward and forward citation tracking on eligible records were used to complement results of database searching. Study Selection: Studies including athletes with a likely OTS diagnosis, as defined by the European College of Sport Science and the American College of Sports Medicine, and reporting at least 1 biomarker or tool potentially diagnostic for OTS were deemed eligible. Study Design: Scoping review following the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Level of Evidence: Level 4. Data Extraction: Athletes’ population, criteria used to diagnose OTS, potentially diagnostic biomarkers and tools, as well as miscellaneous study characteristics were extracted. Results: The search yielded 5561 results, of which 39 met the eligibility criteria. Three diagnostic scores, namely the EROS-CLINICAL, EROS-SIMPLIFIED, and EROS-COMPLETE scores (EROS = Endocrine and Metabolic Responses on Overtraining Syndrome study), were identified. Additionally, basal hormone, neurotransmitter and other metabolite levels, hormonal responses to stimuli, psychological questionnaires, exercise tests, heart rate variability, electroencephalography, immunological and redox parameters, muscle structure, and body composition were reported as potentially diagnostic for OTS. Conclusion: Specific hormones, neurotransmitters, and metabolites, as well as psychological, electrocardiographic, electroencephalographic, and immunological patterns were identified as potentially diagnostic for OTS, reflecting its multisystemic nature. As exemplified by the EROS scores, combinations of these variables may be required to diagnose OTS. These scores must now be validated in larger samples and within female athletes.

Download Full-text

Making change last? Exploring the value of sustainability approaches in healthcare: a scoping review

Health Research Policy and Systems ◽

10.1186/s12961-020-00601-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

L. Lennox ◽

A. Linwood-Amor ◽

L. Maher ◽

J. Reed

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Vast Number ◽

Community Healthcare ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

Future Assessment ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Or Practice ◽

The Impact ◽

Appraisal Tool

Abstract Background Numerous models, tools and frameworks have been produced to improve the sustainability of evidence-based interventions. Due to the vast number available, choosing the most appropriate one is increasingly difficult for researchers and practitioners. To understand the value of such approaches, evidence warranting their use is needed. However, there is limited understanding of how sustainability approaches have been used and how they have impacted research or practice. This review aims to consolidate evidence on the application and impact of sustainability approaches in healthcare settings. Methods A systematic scoping review was designed to search for peer-reviewed publications detailing the use of sustainability approaches in practice. A 5-stage framework for scoping reviews directed the search strategy, and quality assessment was performed using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. Searches were performed through electronic citation tracking and snowballing of references. Articles were obtained through Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar. Six outcome variables for sustainability were explored to ascertain impact of approaches. Results This review includes 68 articles demonstrating the application of sustainability approaches in practice. Results show an increase in the use of sustainability approaches in peer-reviewed studies. Approaches have been applied across a range of healthcare settings, including primary, secondary, tertiary and community healthcare. Approaches are used for five main purposes, namely analysis, evaluation, guidance, assessment and planning. Results outline benefits (e.g. improved conceptualisation of sustainability constructs and improved ability to interpret sustainability data) and challenges (e.g. issues with approach constructs and difficulty in application) associated with using a sustainability approach in practice. Few articles (14/68) reported the sustainability outcome variables explored; therefore, the impact of approaches on sustainability remains unclear. Additional sustainability outcome variables reported in retrieved articles are discussed. Conclusions This review provides practitioners and researchers with a consolidated evidence base on sustainability approaches. Findings highlight the remaining gaps in the literature and emphasise the need for improved rigour and reporting of sustainability approaches in research studies. To guide future assessment and study of sustainability in healthcare settings an updated list of sustainability outcome variables is proposed. Trial Registration This review was registered on the PROSPERO database CRD 42016040081 in June 2016.

Download Full-text

Economics of abortion: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029939 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. e029939 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ernestina Coast ◽

Samantha R Lattof ◽

Yana van der Meulen Rodgers ◽

Brittany Moore

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Economic Outcomes ◽

Primary Data ◽

Science Literature ◽

Safe Abortion ◽

Economic Implications ◽

Abortion Care ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

The Impact ◽

Analytical Approaches

IntroductionAbortion is a common feature of people’s reproductive lives. However, the economic implications of abortion and policies affecting abortion provision are poorly understood. This scoping review aims to systematically review social science literature for studies that have investigated the impact of abortion care (ie, un/safe abortion, post-abortion care) or abortion policies on economic outcomes at the micro-levels (ie, abortion seekers and their households), meso-levels (ie, communities and health systems) and macro-levels (ie, societies and nation states). Informed by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline for protocols, this protocol details the scoping review’s methodological and analytical approaches.Methods and analysisThis scoping review will utilise the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) tool. Studies reporting on qualitative and/or quantitative data from any world region will be considered. For inclusion, studies must examine one of the following economic outcomes at the micro-levels, meso-levels and/or macro-levels: costs, benefits, impacts and/or value of abortion care or abortion policies. Searches will be conducted in eight electronic databases. We will conduct the searches and application of inclusion/exclusion criteria according to the PRISMA-ScR flow approach. No assessments of items’ quality will be made, as the purpose of this scoping review is to synthesise and describe the coverage of the evidence. After extracting all data, we will inductively develop an economic framework around the economics of abortion. The analysis will synthesise the evidence base and identify knowledge gaps on the costs and benefits of abortion to stakeholders at various levels.Ethics and disseminationFormal ethical approval is not required, as primary data will not be collected in this study. The findings of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and condensed summaries for key stakeholders and partners in the field.

Download Full-text

Mapping evidence of food safety at transport stations in Africa: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035879 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. e035879

Author(s):

Busisiwe Purity Ncama ◽

Desmond Kuupiel ◽

Sinegugu E Duma ◽

Gugu Mchunu ◽

Phindile Guga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Safety ◽

Peer Review ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Full Text ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Public Spaces ◽

Reference List ◽

Study Results ◽

Scoping Reviews

IntroductionIn Africa, travels, urbanisation and changing consumer habits are increasing the number of people buying and eating food prepared/sold at public spaces including transport stations, particularly in the urban and periurban areas. Although food trading in such public spaces serves as a source of livelihood for many people, unsafe food can have a negative impact on health. We, therefore, aim to systematically explore and examine the literature, and describe the evidence on food safety (food handling, storage, preparation and sale, packaging of food when sold, hygiene of sale venue and quality (nutrition) of food sold/purchased/eaten) at transport stations to inform policy, as well as identify research gaps for future studies in Africa.Methods and analysisWe will employ the Arksey & O’Malley framework, Levac et al recommendations and the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines to guide this study. We will conduct a comprehensive search in PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Google Scholar and EBSCOhost (Academic search complete, CINAHL with Full-text and Health Source) from inception to December 2019 for relevant peer-review articles using a combination of keywords/search terms with no limitations. We will also search for relevant literature from the reference list of all included articles. Two investigators will independently screen the articles in parallel at the abstract and full-text phases using the eligibility criteria as a guide. Data extraction will be done using a piloted data extraction form designed in a Microsoft Word tabular format. Afterward, the extracted data will be collated into themes and subthemes, summarised, and the results reported using a narrative approach. We will the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses: Extension for scoping reviews checklist to report this study results.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required. All sources of data will be adequately cited and added to the reference list. We will present the final scoping review results at the appropriate workshops, meetings, conferences, as well as submit for peer-review and publication in a scientific journal.

Download Full-text

Clinical prediction models to diagnose neonatal sepsis: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039712 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. e039712

Author(s):

Samuel R Neal ◽

David Musorowegomo ◽

Hannah Gannon ◽

Mario Cortina Borja ◽

Michelle Heys ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Low Income ◽

Neonatal Sepsis ◽

Prediction Models ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Clinical Prediction ◽

Clinical Prediction Models ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Review Protocol

IntroductionNeonatal sepsis is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Diagnosis is often difficult due to non-specific clinical features and the unavailability of laboratory tests in many low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Clinical prediction models have the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and rationalise antibiotic usage in neonatal units, which may result in reduced antimicrobial resistance and improved neonatal outcomes. In this paper, we outline our scoping review protocol to map the literature concerning clinical prediction models to diagnose neonatal sepsis. We aim to provide an overview of existing models and evidence underlying their use and compare prediction models between high-income countries and LMICs.Methods and analysisThe protocol was developed with reference to recommendations by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Searches will include six electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Global Index Medicus and the Cochrane Library) supplemented by hand searching of reference lists and citation analysis on included studies. No time period restrictions will be applied but only studies published in English or Spanish will be included. Screening and data extraction will be performed independently by two reviewers, with a third reviewer used to resolve conflicts. The results will be reported by narrative synthesis in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines.Ethics and disseminationThe nature of the scoping review methodology means that this study does not require ethical approval. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, as well as through engagement with peers and relevant stakeholders.

Download Full-text