scholarly journals Health risks and mitigation strategies from occupational exposure to wildland fire: a scoping review

2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Koopmans ◽  
Katie Cornish ◽  
Trina M. Fyfe ◽  
Katherine Bailey ◽  
Chelsea A. Pelletier
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Wildland Fire ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Glutamine Supplementation ◽  
List Type ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Due to accelerating wildland fire activity, there is mounting urgency to understand, prevent, and mitigate the occupational health impacts associated with wildland fire suppression. The objectives of this review of academic and grey literature were to: Identify the impact of occupational exposure to wildland fires on physical, mental, and emotional health; and Examine the characteristics and effectiveness of prevention, mitigation, or management strategies studied to reduce negative health outcomes associated with occupational exposure to wildland fire. Methods Following established scoping review methods, academic literature as well as government and industry reports were identified by searching seven academic databases and through a targeted grey literature search. 4679 articles were screened using pre-determined eligibility criteria. Data on study characteristics, health outcomes assessed, prevention or mitigation strategies studied, and main findings were extracted from each included document. The results of this scoping review are presented using descriptive tables and a narrative summary to organize key findings. Results The final sample was comprised of 100 articles: 76 research articles and 24 grey literature reports. Grey literature focused on acute injuries and fatalities. Health outcomes reported in academic studies focused on respiratory health (n = 14), mental health (n = 16), and inflammation and oxidative stress (n = 12). The identified studies evaluated short-term outcomes measuring changes across a single shift or wildland fire season. Most research was conducted with wildland firefighters and excluded personnel such as aviation crews, contract crews, and incident management teams. Five articles reported direct study of mitigation strategies, focusing on the potential usage of masks, advanced hygiene protocols to reduce exposure, fluid intake to manage hydration and core temperature, and glutamine supplementation to reduce fatigue. Conclusions While broad in scope, the evidence base linking wildland fire exposure to any one health outcome is limited. The lack of long-term evidence on changes in health status or morbidity is a clear evidence gap and there is a need to prioritize research on the mental and physical health impact of occupational exposure to wildland fire.

scholarly journals Intergenerational Engagement in Residential Settings: A Scoping Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 851-851
Author(s):  
Andrea Gardiola ◽  
Raza Mirza ◽  
Amanda Bull ◽  
Christopher Klinger ◽  
Jessica Hsieh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Hand Search ◽  
Intergenerational Interactions ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Intergenerational engagement provides a rich environment for people of different ages to come together and exchange life stories, skills, and knowledge. Today, intergenerational interactions are decreasing, however, these exchanges can have positive implications for seniors in residential care homes (RCHs) and younger persons. A scoping review following Arksey and O’Malley’s five-step framework was conducted to investigate the impact of intergenerational engagement and programs (IGPs) on older adults in RCHs. A systematic search of ten electronic databases and hand search of references was carried out; thematic content analysis to established key themes. A total of 1,183 academic and grey literature sources were reviewed, with 66 full-text studies assessed for eligibility. Of these sources, 35 studies met inclusion criteria. Studies highlighted four main themes: 1. Types of IGPs, 2. Psycho-social benefits for older adults and improved status among elders with cognitive impairments, 3. Younger person benefits, suggesting reduced ageism and improved social and communication skills, and 4. Program recommendations, including the need for enthusiastic program facilitators, coordination between facilities, sensitivity training for younger persons, detailed advertisements, and appropriate activities for different age groups. Findings inform future practice and research, highlighting that IGPs are an effective strategy to alleviate negative health outcomes for seniors in RCHs. Future research is needed to evaluate long-term effects and further health outcomes. IGPs provide an opportunity to facilitate purposeful and reciprocal relationships between generations, fostering intergenerational understanding. By studying IGPs and intergenerational interactions, we can better determine practices that meaningfully engage elders in RCHs in Canada.

scholarly journals Surgery & COVID-19: A rapid scoping review of the impact of COVID-19 on surgical services during public health emergencies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Connor M O’Rielly ◽  
Joshua S Ng-Kamstra ◽  
Ania Kania-Richmond ◽  
Joseph C Dort ◽  
Jonathan White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
List Type ◽  
Surgical Capacity ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Surgical Services ◽  
Competing Interests ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTBackgroundHealthcare systems globally have been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating the reorganization of surgical services to free capacity within healthcare systems.ObjectivesTo understand how surgical services have been reorganized during and following public health emergencies, and the consequences of these changes for patients, healthcare providers and healthcare systems.MethodsThis rapid scoping review searched academic databases and grey literature sources to identify studies examining surgical service delivery during public health emergencies including COVID-19, and the impact on patients, providers and healthcare systems. Recommendations and guidelines were excluded. Screening was completed in partial (title, abstract) or complete (full text) duplicate following pilot reviews of 50 articles to ensure reliable application of eligibility criteria.ResultsOne hundred and thirty-two studies were included in this review; 111 described reorganization of surgical services, 55 described the consequences of reorganizing surgical services and six reported actions taken to rebuild surgical capacity in public health emergencies. Reorganizations of surgical services were grouped under six domains: case selection/triage, PPE regulations and practice, workforce composition and deployment, outpatient and inpatient patient care, resident and fellow education, and the hospital or clinical environment. Service reorganizations led to large reductions in non-urgent surgical volumes, increases in surgical wait times, and impacted medical training (i.e., reduced case involvement) and patient outcomes (e.g., increases in pain). Strategies for rebuilding surgical capacity were scarce, but focused on the availability of staff, PPE, and patient readiness for surgery as key factors to consider before resuming services.ConclusionsReorganization of surgical services in response to public health emergencies appears to be context-dependent and has far-reaching consequences that must be better understood in order to optimize future health system responses to public health emergencies.ARTICLE SUMMARYStrengths and limitations of the studyThis rapid scoping review provides an exhaustive and rigorous summary of the academic and grey literature regarding modifications to surgical services in response to public health emergencies, especially COVID-19.This study did not limit studies based on location or language of publication to ensure a worldwide pandemic had contributions from worldwide voices.Both quantitative and qualitative outcomes were included, with a mix of inductive and deductive data abstraction approaches to provide a comprehensive understanding of surgical services during public health emergencies.Studies with potential relevance to this question are emerging at an unprecedented rate in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and as such, some may not be included in the current review.Original protocol for the studyAs requested, the original unpublished protocol for this study is included as a supplementary file.Funding statementThis study did not receive grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.Competing interest statementAll authors declare that they have no competing interests in accordance with the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors uniform declaration of competing interests.

scholarly journals The Impacts of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak on Sexual and Reproductive Health Outcomes: Scoping Review Protocol

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Obasanjo Afolabi Bolarinwa ◽  
Bright Opoku Ahinkorah ◽  
Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽  
Edward Kwabena Ameyaw
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Scoping Reviews ◽  
Review Form ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly altered the pre-existing landscape for sexual and reproductive health. Adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes are therefore more likely to be affected due to reports of overwhelmed health systems. However, sexual and reproductive health wellbeing should be prioritized at all times to counteract adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes. As a result, the proposed review aims at synthesizing evidence on the implications of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive health outcomes.Methods: An electronic search for literature will be executed to identify peer reviewed and grey literature on the subject. After screening for studies to include in the synthesis, the checklist of the Joanna Briggs Institute, the McMaster Critical Review form and the Authority, Accuracy, Coverage, Objectivity, Date, and Significance (AACODS) will be used for assessment. The study will be conducted in line with the recommendations detailed by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist and a narrative report will be developed.Discussion: Our proposed review aims at identifying the specific implications of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive health. The review will highlight the systemic challenges and gaps that reinforce the intensity of the impact. It will also identify the aspects of sexual and reproductive health that are much affected among the wide array of components that constitute sexual and reproductive health such as family planning, antenatal care, childbirth, postnatal care among other factors. A better understanding of these issues will help global, regional and national stakeholders and policy makers to identify the specific sexual and reproductive health dimensions that need targeted interventions. Scoping review registration: https://osf.io/85fch

The Relationship Between Highly Visual Social Media and Young People’s Mental Health: A Scoping Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alanna McCrory
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Young People ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
The Impact

UNSTRUCTURED Users of highly visual social media (HVSM), such as Snapchat and Instagram, share their messages through images, rather than relying on words. A significant proportion of people that use these platforms are adolescents. Previous research reveals mixed evidence regarding the impact of online social technologies on this age group’s mental wellbeing, but it is uncertain whether the psychological effects of visual content alone differ from text-driven social media. This scoping review maps existing literature that has published evidence about highly visual social media, specifically its psychological impact on young people. Nine electronic databases and grey literature from 2010 until March 2019 were reviewed for articles describing any aspect of visual social media, young people and their mental health. The screening process retrieved 239 articles. With the application of eligibility criteria, this figure was reduced to 25 articles for analysis. Results indicate a paucity of data that exclusively examines HVSM. The predominance of literature relies on quantitative methods to achieve its objectives. Many findings are inconsistent and lack the richness that qualitative data may provide to explore the reasons for theses mixed findings.

The impact of Active Labour Market Policies on health outcomes: a Scoping review

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Puig-Barrachina ◽  
Pol Giró ◽  
Lucía Artazcoz ◽  
Xavier Bartoll ◽  
Imma Cortés-Franch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Labour Market ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Labour Market Policies ◽  
Active Labour Market Policies ◽  
Active Labour ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals The impact of economic sanctions on health and health systems in low- and middle-income countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Suhrcke ◽  
M Pinna Pintor ◽  
C Hamelmann
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Economic Sanctions ◽  
Political Crisis ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Financial Flows ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Economic sanctions, understood as measures taken by one state or a group of states to coerce another into a desired conduct (eg by restricting trade and financial flows) do not primarily seek to adversely affect the health or health system of the target country's population. Yet, there may be indirect or unintended health and health system consequences that ought to be borne in mind when assessing the full set of effects of sanctions. We take stock of the evidence to date in terms of whether - and if so, how - economic sanctions impact health and health systems in LMICs. Methods We undertook a structured literature review (using MEDLINE and Google Scholar), covering the peer-reviewed and grey literature published from 1970-2019, with a specific focus on quantitative assessments. Results Most studies (23/27) that met our inclusion criteria focus on the relationship between sanctions and health outcomes, ranging from infant or child mortality as the most frequent case over viral hepatitis to diabetes and HIV, among others. Fewer studies (9/27) examined health system related indicators, either as a sole focus or jointly with health outcomes. A minority of studies explicitly addressed some of the methodological challenges, incl. control for relevant confounders and the endogeneity of sanctions. Taking the results at face value, the evidence is almost unanimous in highlighting the adverse health and health system effects of economic sanctions. Conclusions Quantitatively assessing the impact of economic sanctions on health or health systems is a challenging task, not least as it is persistently difficult to disentangle the effect of sanctions from many other, potentially major factors at work that matter for health (as, for instance, war). In addition, in times of severe economic and political crisis (which often coincide with sanctions), the collection of accurate and comprehensive data that could allow appropriate measurement is typically not a priority. Key messages The existing evidence is almost unanimous in highlighting the adverse health and health system effects of economic sanctions. There is preciously little good quality evidence on the health (system) impact of economic sanctions.

scholarly journals Scoping review of mental health in prisons through the COVID-19 pandemic

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e046547
Author(s):  
Luke Johnson ◽  
Kerry Gutridge ◽  
Julie Parkes ◽  
Anjana Roy ◽  
Emma Plugge
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Prison Staff ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveTo examine the extent, nature and quality of literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of imprisoned people and prison staff.DesignScoping review.Data sourcesPubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Global Health, Cochrane, PsycINFO, PsychExtra, Web of Science and Scopus were searched for any paper from 2019 onwards that focused on the mental health impact of COVID-19 on imprisoned people and prison staff. A grey literature search focused on international and government sources and professional bodies representing healthcare, public health and prison staff was also performed. We also performed hand searching of the reference lists of included studies.Eligibility criteria for selection of studiesAll papers, regardless of study design, were included if they examined the mental health of imprisoned people or prison staff specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Imprisoned people could be of any age and from any countries. All languages were included. Two independent reviewers quality assessed appropriate papers.ResultsOf 647 articles found, 83 were eligible for inclusion, the majority (58%) of which were opinion pieces. The articles focused on the challenges to prisoner mental health. Fear of COVID-19, the impact of isolation, discontinuation of prison visits and reduced mental health services were all likely to have an adverse effect on the mental well-being of imprisoned people. The limited research and poor quality of articles included mean that the findings are not conclusive. However, they suggest a significant adverse impact on the mental health and well-being of those who live and work in prisons.ConclusionsIt is key to address the mental health impacts of the pandemic on people who live and work in prisons. These findings are discussed in terms of implications for getting the balance between infection control imperatives and the fundamental human rights of prison populations.

The Use of Palliative Sedation to Treat Existential Suffering: A Scoping Review on Practices, Ethical Considerations, and Guidelines

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allysa L. Ciancio ◽  
Raza M. Mirza ◽  
Amy A. Ciancio ◽  
Christopher A. Klinger
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Palliative Sedation ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Refractory Symptoms ◽  
Existential Suffering ◽  
The Impact

Context: Though palliative sedation has been recognized as an acceptable practice in Canada for many years now, there is a lack of clinical research and guidelines pertaining to its use as a treatment of existential refractory symptoms in the terminally ill. Objectives: This scoping review aimed to survey the literature surrounding palliative sedation and existential suffering and to inform research, policy, and practice. Methods: To address the main research question: Is palliative sedation an acceptable intervention to treat existential refractory symptoms in adults aged 65 and older? a scoping review following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework was performed, spanning electronic databases of the peer reviewed and grey literature. Articles were screened for inclusion, and a thematic content analysis allowed for a summary of key findings. Results: Out of 427 search results, 71 full text articles were obtained, 20 of which were included. Out of these articles, four themes were identified as key findings. These included: (1) Ethical considerations; (2) The role of the health care provider; looking specifically at the impact on nurses; (3) The need for multidisciplinary care teams; and (4) Existential suffering’s connection to religiosity and spirituality. Conclusion: Palliative sedation to treat existential refractory symptoms was labelled a controversial practice. A shortage of evidence-based resources limits the current literature’s ability to inform policy and clinical practice. There is a need for both qualitative and quantitative multi-center research so health care professionals and regional-level institutions have firm roots to establish proper policy and practice.

scholarly journals Barriers to effective prescribing in older adults: applying the theoretical domains framework in the ambulatory setting – a scoping review

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Lau ◽  
Penny Lun ◽  
Wendy Ang ◽  
Keng Teng Tan ◽  
Yew Yoong Ding
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Inappropriate Prescribing ◽  
Theoretical Domains Framework ◽  
Ambulatory Setting ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Prescribing Behaviour ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background As the population ages, potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) in the older adults may become increasingly prevalent. This undermines patient safety and creates a potential source of major morbidity and mortality. Understanding the factors that influence prescribing behaviour may allow development of interventions to reduce PIP. The aim of this study is to apply the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to explore barriers to effective prescribing for older adults in the ambulatory setting. Methods A scoping review was performed based on the five-stage methodological framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley. From 30 Aug 2018 to 5 Sep 2018, we conducted our search on PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science. We also searched five electronic journals, Google and Google Scholar to identify additional sources and grey literature. Two reviewers applied eligibility criteria to the title and abstract screening, followed by full text screening, before systematically charting the data. Results A total of 5731 articles were screened. Twenty-nine studies met the selection criteria for qualitative analysis. We mapped our results using the 14-domain TDF, eventually identifying 10 domains of interest for barriers to effective prescribing. Of these, significant domains include physician-related factors such as “Knowledge”, “Skills”, and “Social/Professional Role and Identity”; issues with “Environmental Context and Resources”; and the impact of “Social Influences” and “Emotion” on prescribing behaviour. Conclusion The TDF elicited multiple domains which both independently and collectively lead to barriers to effective prescribing for older adults in the ambulatory setting. Changing the prescribing climate will thus require interventions targeting multiple stakeholders, including physicians, patients and hospital/clinic systems. Further work is needed to explore individual domains and guide development of frameworks to aid guide prescribing for older adults in the ambulatory setting.

scholarly journals Identifying attributes of food literacy: a scoping review

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 2406-2415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsie Azevedo Perry ◽  
Heather Thomas ◽  
H Ruby Samra ◽  
Shannon Edmonstone ◽  
Lyndsay Davidson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
Literacy Interventions ◽  
Food Literacy ◽  
Food And Nutrition ◽  
Food Decisions ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveAn absence of food literacy measurement tools makes it challenging for nutrition practitioners to assess the impact of food literacy on healthy diets and to evaluate the outcomes of food literacy interventions. The objective of the present scoping review was to identify the attributes of food literacy.DesignA scoping review of peer-reviewed and grey literature was conducted and attributes of food literacy identified. Subjects included in the search were high-risk groups. Eligible articles were limited to research from Canada, USA, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.ResultsThe search identified nineteen peer-reviewed and thirty grey literature sources. Fifteen identified food literacy attributes were organized into five categories. Food and Nutrition Knowledge informs decisions about intake and distinguishing between ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ foods. Food Skills focuses on techniques of food purchasing, preparation, handling and storage. Self-Efficacy and Confidence represent one’s capacity to perform successfully in specific situations. Ecologic refers to beyond self and the interaction of macro- and microsystems with food decisions and behaviours. Food Decisions reflects the application of knowledge, information and skills to make food choices. These interdependent attributes are depicted in a proposed conceptual model.ConclusionsThe lack of evaluated tools inhibits the ability to assess and monitor food literacy; tailor, target and evaluate programmes; identify gaps in programming; engage in advocacy; and allocate resources. The present scoping review provides the foundation for the development of a food literacy measurement tool to address these gaps.

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