Pervasiveness of Communication Disorders and Fatigue in Stroke Patients: A Systematic Scoping Review

After a stroke, it is highly likely that an individual will experience substantial fatigue that can significantly affect recovery and function; stroke survivors also have more than a 50% chance of having at least one communication disorder. Current reviews of post-stroke fatigue have not provided evidence focused on communication disorders or the potential influence they may have on post-stroke fatigue and related recovery. The aim of this review was to determine how communication disorders are represented in post-stroke fatigue research and to catalogue methods used to identify communication disorders and measure fatigue. A systematic scoping review was conducted to identify studies measuring post-stroke fatigue. To identify these studies, a comprehensive literature search was conducted using relevant databases and grey literature sources, followed by several stages of review that adhered to PRISMA guidelines. We evaluated these studies using pre-established eligibility criteria and extracted data regarding the inclusion/exclusion of persons with communication disorders and the assessment methods used. The scoping review analysis was conducted on 161 studies. Of these, 41 (26%) excluded all communication disorders, 71 (44%) excluded severe communication disorders, and 49 (30%) included participants with communication disorders. Of the 120 studies that did not explicitly exclude all communication disorders, only 34 were confirmed to report data from at least one person with a communication disorder. Further, only 5 studies reported data that could be used to determine a relationship between these co-morbidities. Persons with communication disorders are underrepresented in post-stroke fatigue research and very few studies have examined the relationship between post-stroke fatigue and communication disorders, limiting conclusions that can be drawn. This is problematic because medical professionals relying on this evidence to guide clinical practice are likely to be treating individuals with co-occurring fatigue and communication disorders and the current research does not provide enough information about the potential impact of fatigue on communication disorders or vice versa. To bridge this gap, we suggest methods of assessment that could provide ways to more accurately 1) reflect the real patient population in post-stroke fatigue studies, and 2) measure and document fatigue in post-stroke communication disorder studies.

Download Full-text

Understanding the use of patient-reported data by health care insurers: A scoping review

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0244546 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. e0244546

Author(s):

Anne Neubert ◽

Óscar Brito Fernandes ◽

Armin Lucevic ◽

Milena Pavlova ◽

László Gulácsi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health System ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Business Models ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Process Indicators ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Reported Data ◽

And Function ◽

Health Insurers

Background Patient-reported data are widely used for many purposes by different actors within a health system. However, little is known about the use of such data by health insurers. Our study aims to map the evidence on the use of patient-reported data by health insurers; to explore how collected patient-reported data are utilized; and to elucidate the motives of why patient-reported data are collected by health insurers. Methods The study design is that of a scoping review. In total, 11 databases were searched on. Relevant grey literature was identified through online searches, reference mining and recommendations from experts. Forty-two documents were included. We synthesized the evidence on the uses of patient-reported data by insurers following a structure-process-outcome approach; we also mapped the use and function of those data by a health insurer. Results Health insurers use patient-reported data for assurance and improvement of quality of care and value-based health care. The patient-reported data most often collected are those of outcomes, experiences and satisfaction measures; structure indicators are used to a lesser extent and often combined with process indicators. These data are mainly used for the purposes of procurement and purchasing of services, quality assurance, improvement and reporting, and strengthening the involvement of insured people. Conclusions The breadth to which insurers use patient-reported data in their business models varies greatly. Some hindering factors to the uptake of such data are the varying and overlapping terminology in use in the field and the limited involvement of insured people in a health insurer’s business. Health insurers are advised to be more explicit in regard to the role they want to play within the health system and society at large, and accommodate implications for the use of patient-reported data accordingly.

Download Full-text

Hypnotherapy for Procedural Pain and Distress in Children: A scoping Review Protocol

Pain Medicine ◽

10.1093/pm/pnab038 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Daly Geagea ◽

Zephanie Tyack ◽

Roy Kimble ◽

Lars Eriksson ◽

Vince Polito ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Procedural Pain ◽

Future Research ◽

Theoretical Frameworks ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Pharmacological Agents ◽

Review Protocol ◽

Meta Analyses

Abstract Objective Inadequately treated pain and distress elicited by medical procedures can put children at higher risks of acute and chronic biopsychosocial sequelae. Children can benefit from hypnotherapy, a psychological tailored intervention, as an adjunct to pharmacological agents to address the multiple components of pain and distress. Despite providing evidence on the effectiveness and potential superiority of hypnotherapy to other psychological interventions, research on hypnotherapy for paediatric procedural pain and distress has been predominantly limited to oncology and needle procedures. Plus, there is a lack of reporting of intervention manuals, factors influencing hypnotic responding, pain unpleasantness outcomes, theoretical frameworks, adverse events, as well as barriers and facilitators to the feasibility of delivering the intervention and study procedures. The proposed review aims to map the range and nature of the evidence on hypnotherapy for procedural pain and distress in children to identify gaps in literature and areas requiring further investigation. Methods This review will follow the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) methodology and incorporate additional scoping review recommendations by The Joanna Briggs Institute and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses. Relevant studies will be identified through searching published literature databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science) and grey literature in addition to hand-searching of reference lists and key journals. Two authors will independently screen titles and abstracts of search results followed by full-texts review against eligibility criteria. Conclusion Findings are anticipated to guide future research and inform the development of tailored hypnotic interventions in children.

Download Full-text

Formative peer assessment in higher healthcare education programmes: a scoping review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045345 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e045345

Author(s):

Marie Stenberg ◽

Elisabeth Mangrio ◽

Mariette Bengtsson ◽

Elisabeth Carlson

Keyword(s):

Education Research ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Critical Appraisal ◽

Peer Assessment ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Research Centre ◽

Healthcare Education ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Constructive Feedback ◽

Pertinent Data

ObjectivesFormative peer assessment focuses on learning and development of the student learning process. This implies that students are taking responsibility for assessing the work of their peers by giving and receiving feedback to each other. The aim was to compile research about formative peer assessment presented in higher healthcare education, focusing on the rationale, the interventions, the experiences of students and teachers and the outcomes of formative assessment interventions.DesignA scoping review.Data sourcesSearches were conducted until May 2019 in PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Education Research Complete and Education Research Centre. Grey literature was searched in Library Search, Google Scholar and Science Direct.Eligibility criteriaStudies addressing formative peer assessment in higher education, focusing on medicine, nursing, midwifery, dentistry, physical or occupational therapy and radiology published in peer-reviewed articles or in grey literature.Data extractions and synthesisOut of 1452 studies, 37 met the inclusion criteria and were critically appraised using relevant Critical Appraisal Skills Programme, Joanna Briggs Institute and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool tools. The pertinent data were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultThe critical appraisal resulted in 18 included studies with high and moderate quality. The rationale for using formative peer assessment relates to giving and receiving constructive feedback as a means to promote learning. The experience and outcome of formative peer assessment interventions from the perspective of students and teachers are presented within three themes: (1) organisation and structure of the formative peer assessment activities, (2) personal attributes and consequences for oneself and relationships and (3) experience and outcome of feedback and learning.ConclusionHealthcare education must consider preparing and introducing students to collaborative learning, and thus develop well-designed learning activities aligned with the learning outcomes. Since peer collaboration seems to affect students’ and teachers’ experiences of formative peer assessment, empirical investigations exploring collaboration between students are of utmost importance.

Download Full-text

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

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046547 ◽

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.

Download Full-text

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

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-020-01766-7 ◽

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.

Download Full-text

Public health-relevant consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on malaria in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review

Malaria Journal ◽

10.1186/s12936-021-03872-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Anna-Katharina Heuschen ◽

Guangyu Lu ◽

Oliver Razum ◽

Alhassan Abdul-Mumin ◽

Osman Sankoh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Access To Health Care ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Malaria Prevention ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Clinical Aspects ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Malaria Burden ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented challenges to health systems worldwide, including the control of non-COVID-19 diseases. Malaria cases and deaths may increase due to the direct and indirect effects of the pandemic in malaria-endemic countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This scoping review aims to summarize information on public health-relevant effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the malaria situation in SSA. Methods Review of publications and manuscripts on preprint servers, in peer-reviewed journals and in grey literature documents from 1 December, 2019 to 9 June, 2021. A structured search was conducted on different databases using predefined eligibility criteria for the selection of articles. Results A total of 51 papers have been included in the analysis. Modelling papers have predicted a significant increase in malaria cases and malaria deaths in SSA due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many papers provided potential explanations for expected COVID-19 effects on the malaria burden; these ranged from relevant diagnostical and clinical aspects to reduced access to health care services, impaired availability of curative and preventive commodities and medications, and effects on malaria prevention campaigns. Compared to previous years, fewer country reports provided data on the actual number of malaria cases and deaths in 2020, with mixed results. While highly endemic countries reported evidence of decreased malaria cases in health facilities, low endemic countries reported overall higher numbers of malaria cases and deaths in 2020. Conclusions The findings from this review provide evidence for a significant but diverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on malaria in SSA. There is the need to further investigate the public health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the malaria burden. Protocol registered on Open Science Framework: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/STQ9D

Download Full-text

Evaluation of the impact of patient involvement in health technology assessments: A scoping review

International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care ◽

10.1017/s0266462320000239 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 217-223

Author(s):

Robert J. Mason ◽

Karlee M. Searle ◽

Yvonne Bombard ◽

Amanda Rahmadian ◽

Alexandra Chambers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Literature Search ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Health Technology ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Health Technologies ◽

Methods Of Evaluation ◽

Patient Groups ◽

The Impact

ObjectivesWhile involving patients in health technology assessment (HTA) has become increasingly common and important around the world, little is known about the optimal methods of evaluating patients’ involvement (PI) in HTA. This scoping review was undertaken to provide an overview of currently available methods for the evaluation of PI, specifically the impact of PI on HTA recommendations.MethodsA literature search was conducted using nine databases as well as a grey literature search of the websites of 26 organizations related to the conduct, practice or research of HTA to identify articles, reports and abstracts related to the evaluation of PI impact in HTA.ResultsWe identified 1,248 unique citations, six of which met our eligibility criteria. These six records (five articles, and one report) were all published after 2012. Four assessed the impact of patient experience submissions on final HTA recommendations; one evaluated the impact of direct involvement on HTA committees, and one assessed impact of multiple forms of involvement. Methods of evaluation included quantitative analyses of reimbursement decisions, qualitative interviews with those directly involved in an assessment, surveys of patient groups and committee members, and the review of HTA reports.ConclusionsQuantitative evaluation of PI based on associations with funding decisions may not be feasible or fully capture the relevant impact of PI in the assessment of health technologies. Rather, a combination of both qualitative and quantitative strategies may allow for the most comprehensive assessment of the impact of PI on HTA recommendations when possible.

Download Full-text

Death and dying in prehospital care: what are the experiences and issues for prehospital practitioners, families and bystanders? A scoping review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-036925 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. e036925

Author(s):

Michelle Myall ◽

Alison Rowsell ◽

Susi Lund ◽

Joanne Turnbull ◽

Mick Arber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Prehospital Care ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Death And Dying ◽

Clinical Work ◽

Hospital Environment ◽

Policy And Practice ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Literature Report

ObjectiveTo identify the factors that shape and characterise experiences of prehospital practitioners (PHPs), families and bystanders in the context of death and dying outside of the hospital environment where PHPs respond.DesignA scoping review using Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage framework. Papers were analysed using thematic analysis.Data sourcesMEDLINE; Embase; CINAHL; Scopus; Social Sciences Citation Index (Web of Science), ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I (Proquest), Health Technology Assessment database; PsycINFO; Grey Literature Report and PapersFirst were searched from January 2000 to May 2019.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesQualitative and mixed methods studies reporting the experiences of PHPs, families and bystanders of death and dying in prehospital settings as a result of natural causes, trauma, suicide and homicide, >18 years of age, in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.ResultsSearches identified 15 352 papers of which 51 met the inclusion criteria. The review found substantial evidence of PHP experiences, except call handlers, and papers reporting family and bystander experiences were limited. PHP work was varied and complex, while confident in clinical work, they felt less equipped to deal with the emotion work, especially with an increasing role in palliative and end-of-life care. Families and bystanders reported generally positive experiences but their support needs were rarely explored.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge this is the first review that explores the experiences of PHPs, families and bystanders. An important outcome is identifying current gaps in knowledge where further empirical research is needed. The paucity of evidence suggested by this review on call handlers, families and bystanders presents opportunities to investigate their experiences in greater depth. Further research to address the current knowledge gaps will be important to inform future policy and practice.

Download Full-text

‘Communities are attempting to tackle the crisis’: a scoping review on community plans to prevent and reduce opioid-related harms

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028583 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. e028583 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pamela Leece ◽

Triti Khorasheh ◽

Nimitha Paul ◽

Sue Keller-Olaman ◽

Susan Massarella ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Harm Reduction ◽

Lived Experience ◽

Scoping Review ◽

English Language ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Public Health Decision

ObjectivesWe sought to understand the implementation of multifaceted community plans to address opioid-related harms.DesignOur scoping review examined the extent of the literature on community plans to prevent and reduce opioid-related harms, characterise the key components, and identify gaps.Data sourcesWe searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINHAL, SocINDEX and Academic Search Primer, and three search engines for English language peer-reviewed and grey literature from the past 10 years.Eligibility criteriaEligible records addressed opioid-related harms or overdose, used two or more intervention approaches (eg, prevention, treatment, harm reduction, enforcement and justice), involved two or more partners and occurred in an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development country.Data extraction and synthesisQualitative thematic and quantitative analysis was conducted on the charted data. Stakeholders were engaged through fourteen interviews, three focus groups and one workshop.ResultsWe identified 108 records that described 100 community plans in Canada and the USA; four had been evaluated. Most plans were provincially or state funded, led by public health and involved an average of seven partners. Commonly, plans used individual training to implement interventions. Actions focused on treatment and harm reduction, largely to increase access to addiction services and naloxone. Among specific groups, people in conflict with the law were addressed most frequently. Community plans typically engaged the public through in-person forums. Stakeholders identified three key implications to our findings: addressing equity and stigma-related barriers towards people with lived experience of substance use; improving data collection to facilitate evaluation; and enhancing community partnerships by involving people with lived experience of substance use.ConclusionCurrent understanding of the implementation and context of community opioid-related plans demonstrates a need for evaluation to advance the evidence base. Partnership with people who have lived experience of substance use is underdeveloped and may strengthen responsive public health decision making.

Download Full-text

P092: Volunteer engagement in the emergency department: A scoping review

CJEM ◽

10.1017/cem.2019.283 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (S1) ◽

pp. S96-S97

Author(s):

S. Glanz ◽

B. Ellis ◽

M. Nelson ◽

C. Thompson ◽

S. McLeod ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Hospital Costs ◽

Patient Experiences ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Specific Patient ◽

Volunteer Programs ◽

Volunteer Engagement

Introduction: Little is known about the variety of roles volunteers play in the emergency department (ED), and the potential impact they have on patient experience. The objective of this scoping review was to identify published and unpublished reports that described volunteer programs in EDs, and determine how these programs impacted patient experiences or outcomes. Methods: Electronic searches of Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and CINAHL were conducted and reference lists were hand-searched. A grey literature search was also conducted (Web of Science, ProQuest, Canadian Business and Current Affairs Database ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global). Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, reviewed full text articles, and extracted data. Results: The search strategy yielded 4,589 potentially relevant citations. After eliminating duplicate citations and articles that did not meet eligibility criteria, 87 reports were included in the review. Of the included reports, 18 were peer-reviewed articles, 6 were conference proceedings, 59 were magazine or newspaper articles, and 4 were graduate dissertations or theses. Volunteer activities were categorized as non-clinical tasks (e.g., provision of meals/snacks, comfort items and mobility assistance), navigation, emotional support/communication, and administrative duties. 52 (59.8%) programs had general volunteers in the ED and 35 (40.2%) had volunteers targeting a specific patient population, including pediatrics, geriatrics, patients with mental health and addiction issues and other vulnerable populations. 20 (23.0%) programs included an evaluative component describing how ED volunteers affected patient experiences and outcomes. Patient satisfaction, follow-up and referral rates, ED and hospital costs and length of stay, subsequent ED visits, medical complications, and malnutrition in the hospital were all reported to be positively affected by volunteers in the ED. Conclusion: This scoping review demonstrates the important role volunteers play in enhancing patient and caregiver experience in the ED. Future volunteer engagement programs implemented in the ED should be formally described and evaluated to share their success and experience with others interested in implementing similar programs in the ED.

Download Full-text