Synthesizing information systems knowledge: A typology of literature reviews

Addressing Changing Healthcare Needs: A Realist-Inspired Review of Innovative Rehabilitation Care Models

RATIONALE/OBJECTIVES

Canadian healthcare is facing an aging population, an increasing prevalence of chronic disease and related disability, and rising healthcare costs. Integrating innovative rehabilitation models of care may help bolster health systems by shifting to a longer-term approach to addressing health and wellbeing. However, little is known about how these care models may look and what is needed to ensure their effective operationalization in practice.

METHODS

This realist-inspired narrative review explored how, when, and in what circumstances innovative models of care have been successfully implemented and sustained in rehabilitation. The peer-reviewed and grey literature was searched and subsequently screened by title, abstract, and full text. Data extracted from included articles focused on identifying contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes. A numerical analysis of quantitative data and a conventional content analysis of qualitative abstractions was conducted.

RESULTS

Twenty-six documents published between 2014 and 2021 were uncovered predominantly from Australia and Canada. Overall, for new care models to be successfully implemented and sustained, they need to: (1) have clearly articulated goals, (2) have access to short- and long-term funding, (3) align with key legislative changes to optimise buy-in, (4) take a multidisciplinary approach that is supported by management, and (5) include educational and outreach strategies that can be implemented amongst all interested parties.

CONCLUSIONS

The heterogeneity of studies and limitations in their reporting precluded the identification of context-mechanism-outcome configurations typically found in realist reviews. Future implementation research should draw on relevant reporting guidelines to report their findings.

Smart Home Advancements for Health Care and Beyond: Systematic Review of Two Decades of User-Centric Innovation

BACKGROUND

The rapid advancement of Internet of Things and artificial intelligence technologies has driven significant growth in the demand for smart home products, with household penetration projected to increase from 77.6% in 2025 to 92.5% in 2029. Despite this growth, much of the existing research adopts a technology-push approach, focusing primarily on user adoption and acceptance from the perspective of technology providers rather than addressing the evolving needs and experiences of users.

OBJECTIVE

This study seeks to bridge this gap by conducting a comprehensive review of 20 years of smart home literature (2000-2023) using bibliometric and thematic analysis. The objective is to align future research with user needs and market trends by examining technology, user behavior, and service perspectives to inform academic and industry developments.

METHODS

The analysis was carried out in four steps: (1) collecting 5981 abstracts from the Web of Science database (from 2000 to the first half of 2023), (2) preprocessing and refining the data, (3) applying topic modeling to 1003 selected papers, and (4) combining bibliometric network analysis with qualitative, in-depth interpretation.

RESULTS

This study identified 110 key topics across 4 distinct periods, providing insights into 2 decades of advancements in technology, applications, and user-centered research. The findings illustrate the progression of smart home technologies from wireless networks to Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, the expansion of services from basic monitoring to applications such as energy management and health care, and a shift in user profiles from early adopters to underserved populations. The study highlights the limitations of the technology-push approach and underscores the importance of understanding diverse user groups and improving user experiences. It also emphasizes the potential of ambient intelligence environments to intuitively adapt to the health and lifestyle needs of all residents, simplifying and enriching daily life.

CONCLUSIONS

This research delivers valuable academic and practical insights into the evolution of the smart home domain, showcasing a shift from technology-push strategies to user-centered approaches. By prioritizing user satisfaction and quality of life-especially in health care-the findings open new commercial opportunities and pave the way for innovative, real-world smart home solutions tailored to contemporary user needs.

Indigenous Peoples' Experiences in Palliative and End-of-Life Care in Canada: A Scoping Review

AIM

This scoping review aimed to explore what is known about Indigenous peoples' experiences with palliative and end-of-life care in Canada.

DESIGN

A scoping review.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search was performed from database inception to May 2022: CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, ERIC, Cochrane, Medline, PsychINFO, Indigenous Collections, Indigenous Peoples of North America and EMBASE. No date limitations were applied. Unpublished and grey literature was searched using the Google search engine. A search update was conducted in April 2024.

METHODS

This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. Titles, abstracts and full text were screened for inclusion by two reviewers. Mapping and thematic analysis were used to analyse, collate and summarise extracted data.

RESULTS

Fifty-three sources were included in the review. While the methods, locations and context vary across the literature, common themes emerged: Disparities in Indigenous representation in palliative and end-of-life care literature, challenges in accessing palliative and end-of-life care, priorities related to palliative and end-of-life care and experiences specific to end of life.

CONCLUSIONS

This scoping review revealed several key insights into Indigenous peoples' experiences with palliative and end-of-life care.

IMPACT

Findings identify the need to enhance cultural safety in palliative and end-of-life care and support community capacity to develop and lead palliative and end-of-life care research and initiatives. Furthermore, findings suggest the need for palliative and end-of-life care initiatives that are Indigenous-led, grounded in Indigenous research methods and distinctions-based.

REPORTING METHOD

We have adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines. We followed the PRISMA-Scr in the reporting of this scoping review.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTIONS

No patient or public contribution. This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.

Exploring Barriers to Compassionate Acts in Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder: A Critical Literature Review

This critical literature review explores the barriers that individuals with borderline personality disorder face when engaging in compassionate acts, including self-compassion, receiving compassion from others and expressing compassion towards others. Borderline personality disorder is characterised by emotional instability, impulsive behaviours and difficulties in maintaining stable relationships. Although compassionate acts are known to enhance recovery and well-being, individuals with borderline personality disorder often struggle with these behaviours. This review identifies several key barriers, including adverse childhood experiences, stigma and systemic discrimination, known as sanism, and internal challenges such as self-judgement, shame and fear of compassion. By synthesising findings from 29 studies, this review highlights the complex interplay between these factors and their impact on the ability of individuals with borderline personality disorder to engage in compassionate behaviours. The findings emphasise the need for personalised, trauma-informed therapeutic interventions and broader societal changes to foster a more compassionate environment for individuals with borderline personality disorder. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies, inclusion of individuals with lived experiences and exploring diverse sources of compassion to enhance understanding and support recovery in this population.

Physicality in the measurement of the primary caregiver-infant interaction: A descriptive review of global observational assessment tools and coding schemes

Attachment Theory emphasizes the importance of physical contact between primary caregiver and infant to support infant social-emotional development. In stark contrast, caregiver physical behaviors during caregiver-infant interactions are measured inconsistently or are entirely absent from global assessment tools and coding schemes that assess quality of interactions. This lack of focus on physical interactive behaviors in assessments has led to a dearth of empirical evidence to support the theoretical importance of physical interaction between dyads. To support measurement of physical behaviors in the caregiver-infant interaction, we present a descriptive review of empirically-based global tools and coding schemes that do include a caregiver's physical behaviors in their assessments. We searched recently published literature and extracted global caregiver-infant interaction observational assessment tools and coding schemes. We then identified measurement items within tools and schemes that captured caregiver physical behaviors. We discovered 29 unique tools or coding schemes that assessed caregiver physical behaviors in isolation of other variables. We coded physical behaviors using a 3-level approach: Physical Behavior, Functional Intention of Physical Interaction, and Qualitative Descriptors. Finally, we summarized validity and reliability evidence for these 29 tools to aid researchers and clinicians in selecting tools that explicitly include caregiver physical behaviors. We found that tools which assess a greater number of caregiver physical behaviors tend to have had more psychometric study than tools assessing fewer. We suggest that measuring caregivers' physical behaviors during interactions with their infant may yield a more valid global assessment and should be considered a salient aspect of dyadic assessment.

The design and implementation of culturally-safe dementia risk reduction strategies for immigrant women: a theoretical review

BACKGROUND

Raising awareness about dementia risk reduction is particularly important for ethno-culturally diverse or immigrant women, who have greater risk of dementia compared with men due to multiple interacting factors. We aimed to synthesize prior research on culturally-safe strategies to raise diverse women's awareness of dementia risk reduction.

METHODS

We conducted a theoretical review. We searched for studies published up to April 2023 included in a prior review and multiple databases. We screened studies and extracted data in triplicate, informed by existing and compiled theoretical frameworks (WIDER, RE-AIM, cultural safety approaches) and used summary statistics, tables and text to report study characteristics, and strategy design, cultural tailoring, implementation and impact.

RESULTS

We included 17 studies published from 2006 to 2021. Most were conducted in the United States (15, 88%), before-after cohorts (7, 41%), and included African, Caribbean or Latin Americans (82%). No studies focused solely on women (median women 72%, range 50% to 95%). All strategies consisted of in-person didactic lectures, supplemented with interactive discussion, role-playing, videos and/or reinforcing material. Strategies varied widely in terms of format, delivery, personnel, and length, frequency and duration. Details about tailoring for cultural safety were brief and varied across studies. Ten approaches were used to tailor strategies, most often, use of target participants' first language. Assessment of implementation was limited to reach and effectiveness, offering little insight on how to promote adoption, fidelity of implementation and longer-term maintenance of strategies. Strategies increased knowledge of dementia and decreased misconceptions, but did not prompt participants to seek dementia screening in the single study that assessed behaviour.

CONCLUSIONS

While this review revealed a paucity of research, it offers insight on how to design culturally-safe dementia risk reduction strategies that may be suitable for ethno-culturally diverse or immigrant women. Healthcare professionals can use these findings to inform policy, clinical guidelines and public health programs. Future research is needed to establish the ideal number, length and duration of sessions, and confirm strategy effectiveness for diverse women.

The social delegitimization of individualism: Exploring potential drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

During the COVID-19 pandemic many people supported compulsory vaccination and other far-reaching restrictions for unvaccinated individuals. This indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied by a social delegitimization of individualism, which undermined personal autonomy and informed consent.

PURPOSE & METHOD

Against this background, I intend to identify conceptual notions that can help to explain the drivers of the social delegitimization of individualism during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, I conceptually analyzed theories from social science research on vaccination behavior by applying the technique of concept mapping.

RESULTS

The theoretical analysis reveals that (1) the essential need for health protection, (2) the demand for complexity reduction, (3) the optimization of social identity, (4) the reassurance of previous decisions, as well as (5) the feeling of being socially underprivileged may have contributed to the social delegitimization of individualism during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

The five identified conceptual notions can explain the drivers behind the collective support for compulsory vaccination and other far-reaching restrictions against unvaccinated individuals. From a conceptual perspective, dynamic interactions between these drivers are likely. In the future, the identified notions may become relevant beyond COVID-19 if the social delegitimization of individualism continues to evolve into a ubiquitous phenomenon.

How many subjects are enough in a veterinary trial?-Literature review and insights from industrial statisticians

To approve veterinary medicines, regulatory agencies require substantial evidence of safety and effectiveness from well-designed trials. A critical consideration in planning a veterinary trial is to determine the requisite number of subjects needed to achieve the trial objective(s). Sample sizes for preclinical studies usually follow specific guidelines, whereas clinical studies should follow more rigorous requirements to determine the optimal sample size for detecting significant and meaningful treatment effects. This paper presents a descriptive literature review aiming to explore current reported practices in sample size calculation for published veterinary clinical trials. The review included articles published in 12 top-ranking veterinary health journals from January 1, 2013, to June 4, 2023, sourced from PubMed and Medline regarding animal trials. Initially, 294 articles were identified, of which 98 (33 %) focused on veterinary clinical studies. Among these 98 papers, only 24 (24 %) provided detailed methods on sample size calculations, with individual animals as experimental units across at least two arms. The predominant animal species studied in these trials were canines (39 %), cattle (32 %), and swine (21 %), with most studies aiming for a statistical power of at least 80 %. Unlike human clinical trials, the paper found that statistically rigorous sample size calculations were less commonly reported in animal clinical trials. Our paper provides recommendations for veterinary clinical trial practitioners and offers insights into how sample size determination can be properly conducted and reported. Furthermore, this article extends to discuss practical issues in sample size determination for preclinical studies.

Navigating evidence: a concise guide to types of literature review commonly used in healthcare research

BACKGROUND

Literature reviews evaluate the evidence currently available concerning a particular phenomenon of interest. They are essential tools that offer healthcare professionals insights into existing knowledge, identify gaps and guide future studies. There are different types of literature review, each of which has unique purposes, methodologies, strengths and limitations, and researchers must select the type most appropriate to their needs.

AIM

To discuss the main features of common types of literature review, clarify their characteristics and guide healthcare professionals and researchers in making informed decisions.

DISCUSSION

It can be challenging to choose a type of literature review as it must align with the focus of your research. The type you choose will influence the depth of your analysis and the applicability of your findings to clinical practice. It is therefore crucial to understand the different types and their applications, so you can select the type most appropriate to your research, ensure it effectively addresses your research questions and contributes insights.

CONCLUSION

Choosing the right type of literature review is crucial for effectively addressing research questions and advancing knowledge in healthcare. Understanding the distinct purposes and methodologies of different types of review will help you to make an informed choice that enhances the relevance and impact of your research, leading to stronger evidence and better outcomes.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Healthcare professionals will be able to ensure their research is methodologically sound and relevant in practice. This will ultimately lead to better-informed decisions and improved outcomes for patients.

Digital Wellness Programs in the Workplace: Meta-Review

BACKGROUND

Corporate wellness programs are increasingly using digital technologies to promote employee health. Digital wellness programs (DWPs) refer to initiatives that deliver health interventions through digital tools. Despite a growing body of evidence on DWPs, the literature remains fragmented across multiple health domains.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of existing research on the efficacy (eg, impact on employee's physical health, mental well-being, behavioral changes, and absenteeism) and acceptability (eg, engagement, perceived usefulness, and adoption) of employer-provided DWPs. Specifically, we aim to map the extent, range, and nature of research on this topic; summarize key findings; identify gaps; and facilitate knowledge dissemination.

METHODS

We conducted a meta-review of studies published between 2000 and 2023. We adopted a database-driven search approach, including the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ProQuest Central, and Web of Science Core Collection databases. The inclusion criteria consisted of (1) review articles; (2) publications in English, French, or German; (3) studies reporting on digital health interventions implemented in organizations; (4) studies reporting on nonclinical or preclinical employee populations; and (5) studies assessing the efficacy and acceptability of employer-provided DWPs. We performed a descriptive numerical summary and thematic analysis of the included studies.

RESULTS

Out of 593 nonduplicate studies screened, 29 met the inclusion criteria. The most investigated health domains included mental health (n=19), physical activity (n=8), weight management (n=6), unhealthy behavior change (n=4), and sleep management (n=2). In total, 24 reviews focused on the efficacy of DWPs, primarily in relation to health-related outcomes (eg, stress and weight), while fewer reviews addressed organization-related outcomes (eg, burnout and absenteeism). Four reviews explored the mechanisms of action, and 3 assessed the acceptability of DWPs using various measures. Overall, the findings support the efficacy and acceptability of DWPs, although significant gaps persist, particularly regarding the durability of outcomes, the role of technology, and the causal mechanisms underlying behavioral change.

CONCLUSIONS

While DWPs show promise across a variety of health domains, several aspects of their effectiveness remain underexplored. Practitioners should capitalize on existing evidence of successful DWPs while acknowledging the limitations in the literature.

Enabling the twin transition of the textile industry: A systematic literature review

The textile industry, a significant resource consumer and polluter, ranks as the fourth-largest sector in raw material consumption and the fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases. To address these significant environmental challenges, there is an urgent need for a transformative shift toward sustainable production paradigms. However, circular strategies specific to various textile materials still need to be explored in existing research. This manuscript examines the adoption of circular strategies in the textile industry, focusing on key materials such as cotton, polyester, wool, silk, linen, polyamide, viscose, flax, and azlons. A comprehensive systematic literature review of 82 eligible papers from the Scopus database identified critical research streams: circular strategies, digital technologies, and evaluation methods. Findings reveal that cotton and polyester have received the most attention in circular practices, particularly in areas such as closed-loop supply chains, textile waste management, reuse, recycling, etc. In contrast, materials like wool, silk, linen, polyamide, viscose, flax, and azlons have been insufficiently studied, highlighting a critical gap in the literature that needs to be addressed. The authors developed a conceptual framework based on these findings to enhance understanding of the current research landscape. This review emphasizes the need for further investigation into circular strategies for a broader range of textile materials and suggests potential pathways for future research, providing valuable insights for advancing sustainability in the textile sector.

Exploring the Impact of Socially Assistive Robots in Rehabilitation Scenarios

BACKGROUND

Socially Assistive Robots (SARs) represent an innovative approach in rehabilitation technology, significantly enhancing the support and motivation for individuals across diverse rehabilitation settings. Despite their growing utilization, especially in stroke recovery and pediatric rehabilitation, their potential in musculoskeletal and orthopedic rehabilitation remains largely underexplored. Although there is methodological and outcome variability across the included studies, this review aims to critically evaluate and summarize the research on SARs in rehabilitation, providing a thorough overview of the current evidence and practical applications.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, resulting in the selection of 20 studies for analysis. The reviewed papers were categorized into three main classes based on the roles of the robots in rehabilitation: Motivation, Imitation, and Feedback Providers.

RESULTS

The analysis highlights that SARs significantly improve adherence to rehabilitation programs, enhance motor function, and increase motivation across clinical and home settings. Robots such as NAO, Pepper, and ZORA demonstrated high efficacy, particularly in stroke recovery and pediatric rehabilitation.

CONCLUSIONS

SARs offer transformative benefits in rehabilitation, providing scalable, personalized solutions through motivational support, guided exercises, and real-time feedback. Their integration into orthopedic rehabilitation could address critical clinical needs, enhancing precision in exercises, adherence to long-term programs, and overall patient outcomes. Future research should prioritize the development and validation of SAR-based interventions for musculoskeletal disorders to unlock their full potential in this domain.

A systematic review of incentive schemes and their implications for truck driver safety performance

INTRODUCTION

This systematic review investigates the effects of monetary and non-monetary incentive schemes on the safety performance of truck drivers, a critical concern within the road freight industry.

METHOD

The review analyzes 18 studies and dissects the impact of compensation levels, compensation methods, and non-monetary benefits on drivers' safety behaviors.

RESULTS

The findings show that, in general, higher levels of compensation, both through selection and incentive effects, enhance safety performance by attracting more skilled drivers and incentivizing adherence to safety protocols. However, the structure of these compensations, particularly piece-rate wages, and payment for non-driving hours, reveals a double-edged sword; while incentivizing productivity, they inadvertently promote unsafe driving behaviors such as excessive speeding and insufficient rest due to economic pressures. Conversely, non-monetary incentives, though under-researched, show potential for improving safety outcomes by enhancing job satisfaction and work environment quality.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This review highlights the need for future research on safety incentives to evaluate the full extent of the intersection between incentives, safety culture, and working conditions. It advocates for holistic compensation strategies that foster a safety culture in the trucking industry, marking a new direction for improving driver behavior.

Gamify to persuade: A systematic review of gamified sustainable mobility

The increasing need to address climate change has intensified efforts to promote green transportation options, such as cycling and public transit. Over the past few decades, gamification-the integration of game-like elements into non-game contexts to motivate and engage people in adopting new behaviors-has emerged as a strategy to encourage the use of sustainable transportation. This literature review examines how gamification has been used to drive the adoption of green transportation. Following the PRISMA methodology, 49 documents were initially screened, leading to a final selection of 14 papers. We analyze the stakeholders involved, the game elements, the external rewards (e.g., financial incentives), and persuasive strategies employed, and the overall effectiveness of these initiatives both in the short and in the long term. We also explore the relationship between game elements and persuasive approaches, offering insights into how they are related. Finally, we propose a research agenda that emphasizes the exploration of different game elements and the need for a multidisciplinary approach to designing gameful systems that promote sustainable behaviors.

Food Pathways of Salmonella and Its Ability to Cause Gastroenteritis in North Africa

Infections caused by human pathogenic bacteria in food sources pose significant and widespread concerns, leading to substantial economic losses and adverse impacts on public health. This review seeks to shed light on the recent literature addressing the prevalence of Salmonella in the food supply chains of North African countries. Additionally, it aims to provide an overview of the available information regarding health-related concerns, such as virulence genes, and the presence of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella. This review highlights a gap in our comprehensive understanding of Salmonella prevalence in the food supply chains of North African nations, with limited molecular characterization efforts to identify its sources. Studies at the molecular level across the region have shown the diversity of Salmonella strains and their virulence profiles, thus, these results show the difficulty of controlling Salmonella infections in the region. In addition, the discussion of antibiotic resistance makes it clear that there is a need for the development of comprehensive strategies to fight the potential threat of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella strains. Despite common reports on animal-derived foods in this region, this review underscores the persistent challenges that Salmonella may pose to food safety and public health in North African countries.

Urban density and child health and wellbeing: A scoping review of the literature

This scoping review explores the relationship between urban density and child health and wellbeing, focusing on how urban density has been measured and its association with various child health outcomes. By analysing 53 studies spanning from 1972 to 2023, we identify significant variability in how urban density is defined and measured and mixed evidence regarding its relationship with different child health outcomes. We also highlight context-specific findings, which may be connected to a range of dynamic and interconnected local and socio-cultural factors. While most studies showed mixed or inconclusive results for physical health and mental health and wellbeing, some consistent findings were observed for positive associations between urban density and growth and nutritional status in studies from Asia and Africa, and for negative impacts on child development in studies from Europe and North America. The review highlights the need for improved reporting standards, consistent terminology, and context-specific approaches to better understand and address the complex interplay between urban density and child health. It underscores the importance of considering broader social determinants and the unique experiences of children within urban environments for improved policy, practice and placemaking, advocating for participatory research methods to capture children's perspectives on urban density.

Culturally safe community agency health promotion capacity for diverse equity-seeking women: a rapid theoretical review

Objectives

Immigrant and sexually/gender-diverse women (henceforth, women) face inequities in access to and quality of care. As a result, many seek health information from community agencies perceived as culturally safe. We aimed to generate knowledge on capacity needed for culturally safe community agency health promotion.

Design

Theoretical rapid review.

Data sources

Studies identified in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts, Cochrane Library and the Joanna Briggs Institute Database of Systematic Reviews.

Eligibility criteria

Studies published in 2013 or later on health promotion for ethnoculturally, sexually and gender-diverse women led by community agencies (eg, settlement, cultural, support and faith).

Data extraction/synthesis

We extracted data on study characteristics, cultural tailoring, implementation with the Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation framework and health promotion capacity with the New South Wales framework.

Results

We included 19 studies published from 2017 to 2023. Most focused on health promotion to African or Latin American persons in faith-based organisations. Few studies focused solely on women, and no studies focused on or included 2SLGBTQ women. Few studies described cultural tailoring beyond the use of participants' first language. Training of community health workers (CHWs) to deliver health promotion education, and CHW in-person group training of health promotion participants on a wide range of topics resulted in improved knowledge, self-efficacy, intention to modify behaviour, behaviour change and health outcomes. A few studies yielded some insight into what community agencies need to enable health promotion: dedicated funding and personnel, training in healthcare issues, space and partnerships with academic and healthcare organisations.

Conclusions

This study confirmed and enhanced our understanding of the health promotion role of community agencies and identified gaps that can inform future research on how to achieve culturally safe community agency health promotion for diverse women.

Innovating health prevention models in detecting infectious disease outbreaks through social media data: an umbrella review of the evidence

Introduction and objective

The number of literature reviews examining the use of social media in detecting emerging infectious diseases has recently experienced an unprecedented growth. Yet, a higher-level integration of the evidence is still lacking. This study aimed to synthesize existing systematic literature reviews published on this topic, offering an overview that can help policymakers and public health authorities to select appropriate policies and guidelines.

Methods

We conducted an umbrella review: a review of systematic reviews published between 2011 and 2023 following the PRISMA statement guidelines. The review protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42021254568). As part of the search strategy, three database searches were conducted, specifically in PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The quality of the included reviews was determined using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2.

Results

Synthesis included 32 systematic reviews and 3,704 primary studies that investigated how the social media listening could improve the healthcare system's efficiency in terms of a timely response to treat epidemic situations. Most of the included systematic reviews concluded showing positive outcomes when using social media data for infectious disease surveillance.

Conclusion

Systematic reviews showed the important role of social media in predicting and detecting disease outbreaks, potentially reducing morbidity and mortality through swift public health action. The policy interventions strongly benefit from the continued use of online data in public health surveillance systems because they can help in recognizing important patterns for disease surveillance and significantly improve the disease prediction abilities of the traditional surveillance systems.

Systematic Review Registration

http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier [CRD42021254568].

[Gerontological expert report on professionally justified individual services according to § 71 of the German Social Code Act (SGB) XII]

BACKGROUND

In the second half of 2023 the Senate for Science, Health and Nursing of Berlin commissioned an explicit gerontological expert report from the team of authors, which was intended to provide suggestions for the modernization and concretization of § 71 of the German Social Code Act (SGB) XII, i.e., the central social law basis for so-called care of older people. It was completed by the end of 2023. The objective of the report was to provide suggestions for a Berlin Assistance for Old People Structural Law that considers the differentiation and diversity of the life phase of old age by identifying, analyzing and describing the necessary individual services.

AIM OF THE ARTICLE

The approach and the central results of the report are presented and discussed.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In a multistep procedure, combined with a multimodal research approach, various methods were combined in order to generate a comprehensive understanding of the current situation of so-called assistance for older people and gerontological justifications for its services. Critical and selective literature reviews, document analysis and qualitative guideline-based expert interviews were used.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The expert report contains concrete recommendations for an age phase and life situation-orientated development of individual services according to § 71 SGB XII. This relates to approaches, forms and topics of counselling that enable and support successful ageing for all older people. The report also explicitly identifies objects of necessary cash and non-cash benefits, which, even in precarious situations in old age, aim to strengthen the ability for self-help and provide the opportunity to participate independently in community life.

Understanding the importance of therapeutic alliance during physiotherapy treatment for musculoskeletal pain in children: a scoping review

Introduction

Musculoskeletal pain affecting children is common. Rehabilitation and treatment effectiveness can be influenced by multiple individual and contextual factors. The need for more rigorous evaluation of physiotherapy treatment for children's pain, identification of the role of specific techniques, and exploration of the influence of the therapeutic alliance is needed. This scoping review of research aimed to examine: (1) What are the perceptions of children, parents, and physiotherapists about the importance of therapeutic alliance during musculoskeletal pain treatment? (2) What are the key characteristics of therapeutic alliance during a child's musculoskeletal pain treatment from the perspectives of children, parents, and physiotherapists? and (3) What are the perceived impacts of therapeutic alliance (positive and negative) during a child's physiotherapy treatment for musculoskeletal pain?

Methods

The scoping review, based on Arksey and O'Malley's framework and reporting was guided by PRISMA-ScR. The search strategy was based on three concept blocks: (1) Study population: Children (<18 years); (2) Medical condition: Any musculoskeletal pain (acute, chronic primary, chronic secondary); (3) Intervention: Qualitative exploration of experience of physiotherapy treatment delivered by a physiotherapist from the perspective of a child, parent, or physiotherapist. The search (no date limit) was conducted in February 2024 across Medline, AMED and CINAHL.

Results

Following duplicate removal and assessment of eligibility of the initial 236 articles, nine articles were included; of these, only one specifically aimed to explore therapeutic alliance and it was the only paper to directly mention therapeutic alliance. All nine articles presented the child's experience. One overarching theme "Finding resilience within me through therapeutic alliance" and three main themes: "A trusted guide through the ups and the downs of rehabilitation"; "Having a route map"; and "Take me seriously but make it fun" were identified.

Discussion

Therapeutic alliance was considered important by children, parents and physiotherapist and it influenced child and parent perceptions of physiotherapy and overall treatment outcomes. Physiotherapists can foster the children's resilience when experiencing musculoskeletal pain by providing disciplinary expertise, connecting and collaborating with the child by becoming their trusted guide, and co-creating a route map for rehabilitation by helping them to learn about their body, pain and recovery timeline.

Preferred labels and language to discuss low-risk lesions that may be cancer precursors: A review

OBJECTIVES

Patients diagnosed with low-risk lesions are confused about whether they have cancer, and experience similar anxiety to those with invasive cancer, which affects quality of life. Current labels for low-risk lesions were chosen by clinicians and lack meaning to patients.

METHODS

We reviewed published research on preferred labels and language for low-risk lesions, and the rationale for those preferences.

RESULTS

Of 6569 titles screened, we included 13 studies. Among healthy adults with cervix or prostate lesions, use of the term "cancer" rather than "nodule" or "lesion" resulted in greater anxiety, higher perceived disease severity, and selection of more invasive treatment. Physicians asked about removing "carcinoma" from thyroid lesion labels to reduce patient anxiety and discourage over-treatment did not support this change, instead preferring a term that included "neoplasm".

CONCLUSIONS

This review revealed a startling paucity of research on preferences for low-risk lesion labels and language, and associated rationale. Future research is needed to understand how to improve communication about low-risk lesions.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

To reduce anxiety and improve the overall well-being of patients, it is crucial to gain a deeper understanding of how to improve patient-provider conversations regarding screen-detected lesions with a low risk of developing into invasive cancer.

Bibliometric analysis of nursing education reviews

BACKGROUND

While the number of reviews of nursing education research has increased over the years, bibliometric studies about these reviews are limited.

OBJECTIVES

The purposes were to: (1) examine the number of reviews of nursing education research published from 2018 through 2022, (2) identify journals publishing these reviews, (3) identify the types and topics of reviews in nursing education, and (4) analyze how these reviews are labeled (standard versus nonstandard).

DESIGN

This was a bibliometric study of reviews in nursing education.

METHODS

The search for reviews in nursing education was done using CINAHL Complete via the EBSCO host platform and was limited to articles published in peer reviewed journals. The results were imported into EndNote, and the title or abstract was used to identify the review type. The categorized reviews were then exported into Microsoft Excel. The titles and abstracts were searched to identify reviews in nursing education, resulting in 600 articles analyzed in this study. The topics of the reviews were identified via natural language processing techniques based on the Medical Subject Headings biomedical vocabulary in the manual tags with each article.

RESULTS

The number of reviews has steadily increased over the years. The top journal in which reviews were published was Nurse Education Today (n = 197). Nearly a quarter (n = 149, 24.8 %) of the reviews were integrative, followed by systematic (n = 117, 19.5 %), scoping (n = 117, 19.5 %), and literature (n = 85, 14.2 %). There were 12 main topics: most reviews were on simulation, followed by critical thinking methods and the academic achievement of nursing students.

CONCLUSION

This study documented an increase in the number of reviews of nursing education research over the last five years. The most common type was an integrative review, followed by systematic, scoping, and literature. Reviews on simulation were most common.

Training Service Users in the Use of Telehealth: Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

The use of telehealth has rapidly increased, yet some populations may be disproportionally excluded from accessing and using this modality of care. Training service users in telehealth may increase accessibility for certain groups. The extent and nature of these training activities have not been explored.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this scoping review is to identify and describe activities for training service users in the use of telehealth.

METHODS

Five databases (MEDLINE [via PubMed], Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) were searched in June 2023. Studies that described activities to train service users in the use of synchronous telehealth consultations were eligible for inclusion. Studies that focused on health care professional education were excluded. Papers were limited to those published in the English language. The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines for scoping reviews and was reported in line with the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. Titles and abstracts were screened by 1 reviewer (EG). Full texts were screened by 2 reviewers (EG and JH or SC). Data extraction was guided by the research question.

RESULTS

The search identified 8087 unique publications. In total, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. Telehealth training was commonly described as once-off preparatory phone calls to service users before a telehealth visit, facilitated primarily by student volunteers, and accompanied by written instructions. The training content included guidance on how to download and install software, troubleshoot technical issues, and adjust device settings. Older adults were the most common target population for the training. All but 1 of the studies were conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, training was feasible and well-received by service users, and studies mostly reported increased rates of video visits following training. There was limited and mixed evidence that training improved participants' competency with telehealth.

CONCLUSIONS

The review mapped the literature on training activities for service users in telehealth. The common features of telehealth training for service users included once-off preparatory phone calls on the technical elements of telehealth, targeted at older adults. Key issues for consideration include the need for co-designed training and improving the broader digital skills of service users. There is a need for further studies to evaluate the outcomes of telehealth training activities in geographically diverse areas.

Healthcare leaders navigating complexity: a scoping review of key trends in future roles and competencies

BACKGROUND

As healthcare systems rapidly become more complex, healthcare leaders are navigating expanding role scopes and increasingly varied tasks to ensure the provision of high-quality patient care. Despite a range of leadership theories, models, and training curricula to guide leadership development, the roles and competencies required by leaders in the context of emerging healthcare challenges (e.g., disruptive technologies, ageing populations, and burnt-out workforces) have not been sufficiently well conceptualized. This scoping review aimed to examine these roles and competencies through a deep dive into the contemporary academic and targeted gray literature on future trends in healthcare leadership roles and competencies.

METHODS

Three electronic databases (Business Source Premier, Medline, and Embase) were searched from January 2018 to February 2023 for peer-reviewed literature on key future trends in leadership roles and competencies. Websites of reputable healthcare- and leadership-focused organizations were also searched. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis to explore both the range and depth of literature and the key concepts underlying leadership roles and competencies.

RESULTS

From an initial 348 articles identified in the literature and screened for relevance, 39 articles were included in data synthesis. Future leadership roles and competencies were related to four key themes: innovation and adaptation (e.g., flexibility and vision setting), collaboration and communication (e.g., relationship and trust building), self-development and self-awareness (e.g., experiential learning and self-examination), and consumer and community focus (e.g., public health messaging). In each of these areas, a broad range of strategies and approaches contributed to effective leadership under conditions of growing complexity, and a diverse array of contexts and situations for which these roles and competencies are applicable.

CONCLUSIONS

This research highlights the inherent interdependence of leadership requirements and health system complexity. Rather than as sets of roles and competencies, effective healthcare leadership might be better conceptualized as a set of broad goals to pursue that include fostering collaboration amongst stakeholders, building cultures of capacity, and continuously innovating for improved quality of care.

Literature Review: Support for caregivers of children on the ketogenic diet for epilepsy and other neurologic disorders

Epilepsy affects millions of people and when medications are insufficient to maintain seizure control, individuals are diagnosed with refractory epilepsy (RE). Medical ketogenic diet therapy (KDT), a diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates and sufficient in protein, is a well-established treatment for RE. However, compliance is one of the main reasons for discontinuation of KDT and, with pediatric RE patients, the ability of informal caregivers, typically family members, to maintain diet adherence is vital for successful KDT treatment. The central role that informal caregivers play for effective KDT implementation is recognized, however, there is a need to elucidate the rationale and theoretical underpinnings of effective KDT caregiver support programs to inform best practices. Therefore, this systematic literature review aims to identify the existing fundamental understandings of KDT caregiver support to help build a foundation of theory-based knowledge to promote evidenced practice. After screening 137 publications, three studies that discussed potential underlying components of effective caregiver support were included in this review. These articles followed a similar approach as they 1) employed qualitative methods delving into caregiver needs, 2) findings highlighted the importance of support from family, friends, fellow caregivers and their child's medical team, and 3) the inclusion of caregiver support findings were a supplement to the main purpose of the manuscript. Research focused on KDT caregivers is in its infancy. There is a clear need for the systematic examination of support for KDT caregivers to build a foundation for effective support programs and to increase the access to quality support programming to foster KDT implementation, desirable patient outcomes, and caregiver well being. In this article we discuss opportunities to apply self-determination theory to the KDT caregiver support research and practice.

Salmonella in the food chain within the Gulf Cooperation Council countries

Infections caused by bacteria originating from tainted food sources are a widespread concern due to their large economic impact and detrimental effects on public health. We aimed to explore literature focusing on the presence of Salmonella in the food supply chains of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and to provide an overview of available information concerning health-related issues and the status of salmonellosis in humans in GCC countries. The reviewed evidence underscored a gap in our comprehensive understanding of the prevalence of Salmonella in the food supply of GCC countries. Molecular characterization efforts to pinpoint the sources of Salmonella in these nations were limited. Surveys targeting Salmonella in the food supply of GCC countries have been infrequent. While qualitative data indicated the presence or absence of Salmonella, there was a noticeable lack of quantitative data detailing the actual quantities of these bacteria in chicken meat supplies across GCC countries. Although reports regarding Salmonella in animal-derived foods were common, the literature highlighted in this review emphasized the persistent challenge that Salmonella pose to food safety and public health in GCC countries. Addressing this issue requires concerted efforts to enhance surveillance, improve control measures, and promote greater awareness among stakeholders in the food supply chain.

The effects of artificial intelligence on human resource activities and the roles of the human resource triad: opportunities and challenges

Introduction

This study analyzes the existing academic literature to identify the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on human resource (HR) activities, highlighting both opportunities and associated challenges, and on the roles of employees, line managers, and HR professionals, collectively referred to as the HR triad.

Methods

We employed the scoping review method to capture and synthesize relevant academic literature in the AI-human resource management (HRM) field, examining 27 years of research (43 peer-reviewed articles are included).

Results

Based on the results, we propose an integrative framework that outlines the five primary effects of AI on HR activities: task automation, optimized HR data use, augmentation of human capabilities, work context redesign, and transformation of the social and relational aspects of work. We also detail the opportunities and challenges associated with each of these effects and the changes in the roles of the HR triad.

Discussion

This research contributes to the ongoing debate on AI-augmented HRM by discussing the theoretical contributions and managerial implications of our findings, along with avenues for future research. By considering the most recent studies on the topic, this scoping review sheds light on the effects of AI on the roles of the HR triad, enabling these key stakeholders to better prepare for this technological change. The findings can inform future academic research, organizations using or considering the application of AI in HRM, and policymakers. This is particularly timely, given the growing adoption of AI in HRM activities.

The Analysis of Whose Verbal Behavior?

Recent reviews of behavior analytic journals suggest that participant demographics are inadequately described. These reviews have been limited to brief periods across several journals, emphasized specific variables (e.g., socioeconomic status), or only included specific populations. The current scoping review included all published articles in The Analysis of Verbal Behavior from 1982-2020. Six demographic variables were coded for 1888 participants across 226 articles. Despite small sample sizes (i.e., fewer than six participants in 62.3% of studies), only age (85.4%) and gender identity (71.6%) were reported for the majority of participants. Socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and primary language were reported for fewer than 20% of participants. Over time, the number of demographic variables reported showed a slight increasing trend, although considerable variability was observed across years. These findings suggest that editors and reviewers must consider what constitutes acceptable participant characterization. Researchers might also be emboldened to extend their work to populations currently underrepresented in the journal.

Misunderstood and underappreciated: a critical review of mental health advocacy and activism in low- and middle-income countries

Mental health advocacy and activism have been highlighted as important in the effort towards creating environments for better mental health. However, relevant research in low- and middle-income country settings remains limited and lacks critical exploration. We seek to contribute to filling this gap by exploring driving factors behind mental health advocacy and activism efforts in low- and middle-income country settings. This review uses a critically informed thematic analysis employing conceptual frameworks of productive power to analyse peer-reviewed articles on mental health advocacy or activism over the last 20 years. We suggest that the current body of research is marred by superficial explorations of activism and advocacy, partly due to a lack of cohesion around definitions. Based on our findings, we suggest a conceptual framework to guide deeper explorations of mental health advocacy and activism. This framework identifies 'legitimacy', 'context' and 'timing' as the main dimensions to consider in understanding activism and advocacy efforts. The fact that they remain misunderstood and underappreciated creates missed opportunities for meaningful inclusion of lived experience in policy decisions and limits our understanding of how communities envision and enact change.

Ecological impacts of the expansion of offshore wind farms on trophic level species of marine food chain

The global demand for renewable energy has resulted in a rapid expansion of offshore wind farms (OWFs) and increased attention to the ecological impacts of OWFs on the marine ecosystem. Previous reviews mainly focused on the OWFs' impacts on individual species like birds, bats, or mammals. This review collected numerous field-measured data and simulated results to summarize the ecological impacts on phytoplankton, zooplankton, zoobenthos, fishes, and mammals from each trophic level and also analyze their interactions in the marine food chain. Phytoplankton and zooplankton are positively or adversely affected by the 'wave effect', 'shading effect', oxygen depletion and predation pressure, leading to a ± 10% fluctuation of primary production. Although zoobenthos are threatened transiently by habitat destruction with a reduction of around 60% in biomass in the construction stage, their abundance exhibited an over 90% increase, dominated by sessile species, due to the 'reef effect' in the operation stage. Marine fishes and mammals are to endure the interferences of noise and electromagnetic, but they are also aggregated around OWFs by the 'reef effect' and 'reserve effect'. Furthermore, the complexity of marine ecosystem would increase with a promotion of the total system biomass by 40% through trophic cascade effects strengthen and resource partitioning alternation triggered by the proliferation of filter-feeders. The suitable site selection, long-term monitoring, and life-cycle-assessment of ecological impacts of OWFs that are lacking in current literature have been described in this review, as well as the carbon emission and deposition.

Constructing the public in public perceptions research: A case study of forest genomics

Contemporary scientific and technological endeavours face public and political pressure to adopt open, transparent and democratically accountable practices of public engagement. Prior research has identified different ways that experts 'imagine publics' - as uninformed, as disengaged, as a risk to science, and as co-producers of knowledge - but there has yet to be a systematic exploration of how these views emerge, interact and evolve. This article introduces a typology of imagined publics to analyse how publics are constructed in the field of forest genomics. We find that deficit views of publics have not been replaced by co-production. Instead, deficit and co-productive approaches to publics co-exist and overlap, informing both how publics are characterized and how public perceptions are studied. We outline an agenda for deepening and expanding research on public perceptions of novel technologies. Specifically, we call for more diverse and complex methodological approaches that account for relational dynamics over time.

Effects of Arts-Based Pedagogy on Competence Development in Nursing: A Critical Systematic Review

The integration of arts-based methods into nursing education is a topic of growing interest in nursing practice. While there is an emerging body of research on this subject, evidence on competence development remains vague, largely due to methodological weaknesses. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of arts-based pedagogy in nursing, specifically in terms of students' changes in knowledge, skills, and attitudes. It explores which arts-based approaches to nursing education qualify as evidence-based practice in terms of nursing competence. A systematic critical review of research on arts-based pedagogy in nursing was conducted, identifying 43 relevant studies. These studies were assessed for methodological quality based on the CEC Standards for evidence-based practice, and 13 high-quality comparative studies representing a variety of arts-based approaches were selected. Creative drama was identified as the only evidence-based practice in the field, positively affecting empathy. The findings highlight a research gap in nursing education and emphasize the need for measurement and appraisal tools suitable for the peculiarities of arts-based pedagogy.

Mental health, ethnicity and the UK armed forces: Historical lessons for research and policy

BACKGROUND

UK armed forces have recruited from other races and ethnicities at times of crisis. To meet diversity targets, they have also recruited indigenous groups of non-White British heritage. Considered at greater risk of mental health problems generally, these populations are likely to suffer more in combat and in transition to civilian life. Yet, there is little data on how they fare.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted of peer-reviewed studies of psychological illnesses suffered by racial and ethnic minority soldiers from World War One to the present, together with research at the National Archives, Wellcome Trust Archives and the Imperial War Museum for unpublished studies.

RESULTS

British commanders and psychiatrists argued that 'martial races' were protected against post-traumatic illnesses because of an innate resilience related to a rural heritage. Consequently, low morale and breakdown were interpreted as malingering to avoid combat. Indian troops received lower levels of psychiatric care than provided for British soldiers delivered with limited cultural understanding. Inferior terms and conditions were offered to Indian soldiers with lesser opportunities for promotion. These practices, established in both World Wars, continued for Gurkha and Commonwealth soldiers recruited to meet manpower and diversity targets. Disproportionate complaints of discrimination may explain why ethnic minority status is a risk factor for mental illness.

CONCLUSION

Management patterns laid down during the Imperial era continue to influence current practice for ethnic minority service personnel. Yet, armed forces can play a positive role in fostering diversity and integration to provide protective factors against mental illness.

Effectiveness of care models for chronic disease management: A scoping review of systematic reviews

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a scoping review of models of care for chronic disease management to identify potentially effective components for management of chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODS

Information sources: Systematic searches of three databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews) from January 2010 to May 2021.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses reporting on the effectiveness of the Chronic Care Model (CCM), collaborative/integrated care, and other chronic disease management models.

DATA

Target diseases, model components used (n = 11), and six outcomes (disease-specific, generic health-related quality of life and functioning, adherence, health knowledge, patient satisfaction, and cost/health care use).

SYNTHESIS

Narrative synthesis, including proportion of reviews documenting outcome benefits.

RESULTS

More than half (55%) of the 186 eligible reviews focused on collaborative/integrated care models, with 25% focusing on CCM and 20% focusing on other chronic disease management models. The most common health conditions were diabetes (n = 22), depression (n = 16), heart disease (n = 12), aging (n = 11), and kidney disease (n = 8). Other single medical conditions were the focus of 22 reviews, multiple medical conditions of 59 reviews, and other or mixed mental health/behavioral conditions of 20 reviews. Some type of quality rating for individual studies was conducted in 126 (68%) of the reviews. Of reviews that assessed particular outcomes, 80% reported disease-specific benefits, and 57% to 72% reported benefits for the other five types of outcomes. Outcomes did not differ by the model category, number or type of components, or target disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there is a paucity of evidence for TBI per se, care model components proven effective for other chronic diseases may be adaptable for chronic TBI care.

Unravelling trends, patterns and intellectual structure of research on bankruptcy in SMEs: A bibliometric assessment and visualisation

Despite the burgeoning interest among academics in investigating the factors contributing to the high business failure rate among SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), the systematic synthesis of the literature on bankruptcy in SMEs is restricted. This article aims to significantly advance the understanding of the causes and repercussions of bankruptcy in SMEs and the preventative actions that may be taken to avoid it. This review assesses 282 articles from 175 outlets employing quantitative and statistics-based bibliometric tools. This bibliometric assessment helped delineate the citation and publication trends and the top contributors to the domain. The underlying thematic clusters of research on bankruptcy in SMEs were also identified, deciphered and elaborated, along with charting the future research vistas through the lens of theory, context, and methods framework. The authors believe this bibliometric variant of systematic literature review makes a significant contribution to bankruptcy and SME research by highlighting the development of the literature and some of the most active research fronts in the domain by offering insights that were not clasped thoroughly or assessed by prior literature assessments.

Uterine Tumors Resembling Ovarian Sex Cord Tumors (UTROSCTs): A Scoping Review of 511 Cases, Including 2 New Cases

Uterine Tumors Resembling Ovarian Sex Cord Tumors (UTROSCTs) are rare uterine mesenchymal neoplasms with uncertain biological potential. These tumors, which affect both premenopausal and postmenopausal women, usually have a benign clinical course. Nevertheless, local recurrences and distant metastases have been described. By analyzing 511 cases retrieved from individual reports and cases series, we provide here the most comprehensive overview of UTROSCT cases available in the literature, supplemented by two new cases of UTROSCTs. Case 1 was an asymptomatic 31-year-old woman who underwent a laparoscopic resection of a presumed leiomyoma. Case 2 was a 58-year-old postmenopausal woman with abnormal vaginal bleeding who underwent an outpatient hysteroscopic biopsy of a suspicious endometrial area. In both cases, immunohistochemical positivity for Calretinin and Inhibin was noted, typical for a sex cord differentiation. In both cases, total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. In light of the available literature, no pathognomonic clinical or imaging finding can be attributed to UTROSCT. Patients usually present with abnormal uterine bleeding or pelvic discomfort, but 20% of them are asymptomatic. In most cases, a simple hysterectomy appears to be the appropriate treatment, but for women who wish to become pregnant, uterus-preserving approaches should be discussed after excluding risk factors. Age, tumor size, lymphovascular space invasion, nuclear atypia, and cervical involvement are not reliable prognostic factors in UTROSCT. The current research suggests that aggressive cases (with extrauterine spread or recurrence) can be identified based on a distinct genetic and immunohistochemical phenotype. For instance, UTROSCTs characterized by GREB1::NCOA1-3 fusions and PD-L1 molecule expression appear to be predisposed to more aggressive behaviors and recurrence, with GREB1::NCOA2 being the most common gene fusion in recurrent tumors. Hence, redefining the criteria for UTROSCTs may allow a better selection of women suitable for fertility-sparing treatments or requiring more aggressive treatments in the future.

The response of the Military Health System (MHS) to the COVID-19 pandemic: a summary of findings from MHS reviews

INTRODUCTION

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused major disruptions to the US Military Health System (MHS). In this study, we evaluated the MHS response to the pandemic to understand the impact of the pandemic response in a large, national, integrated healthcare system providing care for ~ 9 million beneficiaries.

METHODS

We performed a narrative literature review of 16 internal Department of Defense (DoD) reports, including reviews mandated by the US Congress in response to the pandemic. We categorized the findings using the Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership, Personnel, Facilities, and Policy (DOTMLPF-P) framework developed by the DoD to assess system efficiency and effectiveness.

RESULTS

The majority of the findings were in the policy, organization, and personnel categories. Key findings showed that the MHS structure to address surge situations was beneficial during the pandemic response, and the rapid growth of telehealth created the potential impact for improved access to routine and specialized care. However, organizational transition contributed to miscommunication and uneven implementation of policies; disruptions affected clinical training, upskilling, and the supply chain; and staffing shortages contributed to burnout among healthcare workers.

CONCLUSION

Given its highly integrated, vertical structure, the MHS was in a better position than many civilian healthcare networks to respond efficiently to the pandemic. However, similar to the US civilian sector, the MHS also experienced delays in care, staffing and materiel challenges, and a rapid switch to telehealth. Lessons regarding the importance of communication and preparation for future public health emergency responses are relevant to civilian healthcare systems responding to COVID-19 and other similar public health crises.

Intergroup encounters in pair-living primates: Comparative analysis and a case study of pair-living and monogamous owl monkeys (Aotus azarae) of Argentina

The function of intergroup encounters (IGEs) may differ substantially among species of different group sizes and social organizations. Research in group-living primates has shown that the behavioral responses during IGEs can vary widely from affiliative to neutral or aggressive interactions; still, little is known about IGEs in pair-living taxa. We conducted a systematic literature review to find relevant studies on the functions of IGEs in pair-living nonhuman primates that could inform analyses of IGE data (n = 242 IGEs, 21 groups and 10 solitary individuals, 1997-2020) from wild owl monkeys, a pair-living, monogamous primate with extensive biparental care. We identified 1315 studies published between 1965 and 2021; only 13 of them (n = 10 species) contained raw data on the number of IGEs. Our review of those studies showed that IGEs are common, but highly variable in their nature and characteristics in pair-living primates. To examine the non-mutually exclusive hypotheses of resource-, and mate defense, and infanticide avoidance we analyzed data from the Owl Monkey Project 27-year long database to build first an a priori model set. To incorporate prior knowledge from the literature review, we conducted our analyses as a consecutive series of binomial logistic regressions. All IGEs including all biologically relevant parameters (N = 156) were codified into three different behavioral categories (Reaction, Agonism, and Physical Aggression). The analysis showed that owl monkeys regularly engaged in IGEs, most of which were agonistic. They showed more reaction when infants were present, but reactions were less physically aggressive when infants and pregnant females were involved. Overall, our results lend more support for the infant and mate defense hypotheses than they do for the resource defense one.

The Use of Medical Crowdfunding to Mitigate the Personal Costs of Serious Chronic Illness: Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Persons diagnosed with serious chronic illnesses and their caretakers experience multiple types of financial costs that strain their income and generate financial distress. Many turn to medical crowdfunding (MCF) to mitigate the harms of these costs on their health and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aims to summarize the research on MCF for persons diagnosed with serious chronic illness regarding study designs and methods; the responsible conduct of research practices; and study foci as they relate to stress, stress appraisals, and the coping processes.

METHODS

This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. Eligible studies were conducted in countries designated as high income by the World Bank and focused on beneficiaries diagnosed with serious chronic illness. The findings of the included studies were summarized as they related to the key concepts in a conceptual framework derived from an established stress, appraisal, and coping framework and a conceptual model of financial toxicity in pediatric oncology.

RESULTS

Overall, 26 studies were eligible for inclusion in the review. The main findings included a lack of integration of qualitative and quantitative approaches and the inconsistent reporting of the responsible conduct of research practices. The included studies focused on financial stressors that contributed to financial burden, such as out-of-pocket payments of medical bills, basic living expenses, medical travel expenses, and lost income owing to illness-related work disruptions. Few studies addressed stress appraisals as threatening or the adequacy of available financial resources. When mentioned, appraisals related to the global financial struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic or the capacity of social network members to donate funds. The consequences of MCF included the receipt of 3 forms of social support (tangible, informational, and emotional), privacy loss, embarrassment, and the propagation of scientifically unsupported information. Studies found that friends and family tended to manage MCF campaigns. Although most of the studies (21/26, 81%) focused on monetary outcomes, a few (5/26, 19%) concentrated on peoples' experiences with MCF.

CONCLUSIONS

The identified methodological gaps highlight the need for more robust and reproducible approaches to using the copious data available on public MCF platforms. The integration of quantitative and qualitative methods will allow for nuanced explorations of the MCF experience. A more consistent elaboration of strategies to promote the responsible conduct of research is warranted to minimize risk to populations that are vulnerable and express concerns regarding the loss of privacy. Finally, an examination of the unanticipated consequences of MCF is critical for the development of future interventions to optimize existing supports while providing needed supports, financial and nonfinancial, that are lacking.

An overview of machine learning and deep learning techniques for predicting epileptic seizures

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder (the third most common, following stroke and migraines). A key aspect of its diagnosis is the presence of seizures that occur without a known cause and the potential for new seizures to occur. Machine learning has shown potential as a cost-effective alternative for rapid diagnosis. In this study, we review the current state of machine learning in the detection and prediction of epileptic seizures. The objective of this study is to portray the existing machine learning methods for seizure prediction. Internet bibliographical searches were conducted to identify relevant literature on the topic. Through cross-referencing from key articles, additional references were obtained to provide a comprehensive overview of the techniques. As the aim of this paper aims is not a pure bibliographical review of the subject, the publications here cited have been selected among many others based on their number of citations. To implement accurate diagnostic and treatment tools, it is necessary to achieve a balance between prediction time, sensitivity, and specificity. This balance can be achieved using deep learning algorithms. The best performance and results are often achieved by combining multiple techniques and features, but this approach can also increase computational requirements.

Pathogenic E. coli in the Food Chain across the Arab Countries: A Descriptive Review

Foodborne bacterial infections caused by pathogens are a widespread problem in the Middle East, leading to significant economic losses and negative impacts on public health. This review aims to offer insights into the recent literature regarding the occurrence of harmful E. coli bacteria in the food supply of Arab countries. Additionally, it aims to summarize existing information on health issues and the state of resistance to antibiotics. The reviewed evidence highlights a lack of a comprehensive understanding of the extent to which harmful E. coli genes are present in the food supply of Arab countries. Efforts to identify the source of harmful E. coli in the Arab world through molecular characterization are limited. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have conducted few surveys specifically targeting harmful E. coli in the food supply. Despite having qualitative data that indicate the presence or absence of harmful E. coli, there is a noticeable absence of quantitative data regarding the actual numbers of harmful E. coli in chicken meat supplies across all Arab countries. While reports about harmful E. coli in animal-derived foods are common, especially in North African Arab countries, the literature emphasized in this review underscores the ongoing challenge that harmful E. coli pose to food safety and public health in Arab countries.

Technology-Enhanced Learning in the Education of Oncology Medical Professionals: A Systematic Literature Review

As cancer continues to be a significant global health challenge, the education of oncology professionals plays a crucial role in providing quality cancer care and achieving optimal patient outcomes. In order to meet the growing need for flexible, accessible, and effective training, this study examines the role of technology-enhanced learning (TEL) in the education of oncology medical professionals. Following the PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review included 34 articles published between 2012 and 2022 in EBSCO and PubMed databases. Findings reveal a diverse range of digital tools being used in oncology training, despite a shortage of advanced educational technologies and limited functional improvement compared to traditional instruction. Since the training primarily targeted at multiple professions in the medical expert role, with radiation oncologists being overrepresented, other oncology domains should be examined more thoroughly in the future, taking into account distinct professional abilities, e.g. communication, collaboration, and leadership skills with reference to the CanMEDS framework. Although the training programmes generally resulted in positive outcomes according to the Kirkpatrick evaluation model, experimental research designs were rather limited. Therefore, the substantial contribution and limitations of TEL in oncology education need to be clarified. Precise reporting of digital tools and instructional processes, as well as challenges encountered, is highly recommended to increase transparency and replicability. Research methodology in digital oncology education remains a major concern and should be addressed accordingly in future research.

A scoping review of food and nutrition literacy programs

The impact of food literacy (FL) and nutrition literacy (NL) programs on lifestyles and health is recognized in the literature, yet few studies systematize it. This study aims to deepen the understanding of FL/NL from the characterization of programs in terms of (i) theoretical foundations, conceptualization and measuring instruments; (ii) characterization of the FL/NL programs and results and (iii) limitations and future directions declared. A scoping review of original articles addressing FL/NL programs from the Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed databases published between 2015 and 2023. There was a somewhat restricted view of the construct and the absence of a clear boundary between FL and NL. Half of the studies reported theoretical foundations. The most used model was Social Cognitive Learning Theory. More significant development of programs was observed in Australia, using quasi-experimental designs. Most of the studies informed positive results. Limitations of the studies related to the sampling process, absence of a control group and lack of follow-up. It is suggested that long-term interventions consider economic, social and cultural factors. Despite that theoretical and empirical aspects should be revised, FL/NL programs are a suitable strategy to mitigate the social and health effects of inadequate nutrition.

Barriers and facilitators influencing parental adherence to prevention strategies for deformational plagiocephaly: Results from a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Deformational plagiocephaly can be prevented in many healthy infants if strategies are implemented early after birth. However, despite efforts to disseminate accurate information, parental adherence to evidence-based prevention strategies is a challenge. To date, factors - barriers and facilitators - influencing parental adherence to strategies have yet to be identified in a comprehensive manner.

OBJECTIVES

This scoping review aims to identify and synthesize current evidence on barriers and facilitators impacting adherence of parents of newborns to deformational plagiocephaly prevention strategies.

METHODS

This review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) process guidelines. Seven electronic (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, Academic Search Complete, AMED, PsychINFO and Scopus) and two grey literature (Health Systems Evidence and Grey Literature Report) databases were searched. Studies published between 2001 and 2022 were included. The deductive thematic data analysis used was guided by the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation Behavioral Model (COM-B) of health behaviour change.

RESULTS

From a total of 1172 articles, 15 met the eligibility criteria. All components of the COM-B framework were identified. Capability-psychological and opportunity-environmental factors dominated the literature, whereas capability-physical, motivation and, in particular, opportunity-social factors were understudied. The most often reported barriers were a lack of knowledge of deformational plagiocephaly and the associated prevention strategies, ambiguous or inconsistent messaging, intolerance of babies to prone positioning and a lack of time. The most frequently reported facilitators were an awareness of deformational plagiocephaly, postural asymmetry and prevention strategies, skill acquisition with practice, accurate convincing information, scheduled time and environmental organization to position the baby at home.

DISCUSSION

Recommendations focused on diffusing accurate and detailed information for parents. Our review also suggests a gap regarding the comprehensive identification of factors influencing parental adherence to deformational plagiocephaly prevention strategies. Further studies exploring comprehensive opportunity-social and motivation factors influencing parental adherence to deformational plagiocephaly prevention strategies are warranted to inform prevention programmes and foster better infant outcomes.

Systematic literature reviews over the years

Purpose: Nowadays, systematic literature reviews (SLRs) and meta-analyses are often placed at the top of the study hierarchy of evidence. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the trends in SLRs of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) throughout the years. Methods: Medline database was searched, using a highly focused search strategy. Each paper was coded according to a specific ICD-10 code; the number of RCTs included in each evaluated SLR was also retrieved. All SLRs analyzing RCTs were included. Protocols, commentaries, or errata were excluded. No restrictions were applied. Results: A total of 7,465 titles and abstracts were analyzed, from which 6,892 were included for further analyses. There was a gradual increase in the number of annual published SLRs, with a significant increase in published articles during the last several years. Overall, the most frequently analyzed areas were diseases of the circulatory system (n = 750) and endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases (n = 734). The majority of SLRs included between 11 and 50 RCTs each. Conclusions: The recognition of SLRs' usefulness is growing at an increasing speed, which is reflected by the growing number of published studies. The most frequently evaluated diseases are in alignment with leading causes of death and disability worldwide.

The rise of resilient healthcare research during COVID-19: scoping review of empirical research

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many multi-faceted challenges to the maintenance of service quality and safety, highlighting the need for resilient and responsive healthcare systems more than ever before. This review examined empirical investigations of Resilient Health Care (RHC) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the aim to: identify key areas of research; synthesise findings on capacities that develop RHC across system levels (micro, meso, macro); and identify reported adverse consequences of the effort of maintaining system performance on system agents (healthcare workers, patients).

METHODS

Three academic databases were searched (Medline, EMBASE, Scopus) from 1st January 2020 to 30th August 2022 using keywords pertaining to: systems resilience and related concepts; healthcare and healthcare settings; and COVID-19. Capacities that developed and enhanced systems resilience were synthesised using a hybrid inductive-deductive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Fifty publications were included in this review. Consistent with previous research, studies from high-income countries and the use of qualitative methods within the context of hospitals, dominated the included studies. However, promising developments have been made, with an emergence of studies conducted at the macro-system level, including the development of quantitative tools and indicator-based modelling approaches, and the increased involvement of low- and middle-income countries in research (LMIC). Concordant with previous research, eight key resilience capacities were identified that can support, develop or enhance resilient performance, namely: structure, alignment, coordination, learning, involvement, risk awareness, leadership, and communication. The need for healthcare workers to constantly learn and make adaptations, however, had potentially adverse physical and emotional consequences for healthcare workers, in addition to adverse effects on routine patient care.

CONCLUSIONS

This review identified an upsurge in new empirical studies on health system resilience associated with COVID-19. The pandemic provided a unique opportunity to examine RHC in practice, and uncovered emerging new evidence on RHC theory and system factors that contribute to resilient performance at micro, meso and macro levels. These findings will enable leaders and other stakeholders to strengthen health system resilience when responding to future challenges and unexpected events.

Negative psychological and physiological effects of social networking site use: The example of Facebook

Social networking sites (SNS), with Facebook as a prominent example, have become an integral part of our daily lives and more than four billion people worldwide use SNS. However, the (over-)use of SNS also poses both psychological and physiological risks. In the present article, we review the scientific literature on the risk of Facebook (over-)use. Addressing this topic is critical because evidence indicates the development of problematic Facebook use ("Facebook addiction") due to excessive and uncontrolled use behavior with various psychological and physiological effects. We conducted a review to examine the scope, range, and nature of prior empirical research on the negative psychological and physiological effects of Facebook use. Our literature search process revealed a total of 232 papers showing that Facebook use is associated with eight major psychological effects (perceived anxiety, perceived depression, perceived loneliness, perceived eating disorders, perceived self-esteem, perceived life satisfaction, perceived insomnia, and perceived stress) and three physiological effects (physiological stress, human brain alteration, and affective experience state). The review also describes how Facebook use is associated with these effects and provides additional details on the reviewed literature, including research design, sample, age, and measures. Please note that the term "Facebook use" represents an umbrella term in the present work, and in the respective sections it will be made clear what kind of Facebook use is associated with a myriad of investigated psychological variables. Overall, findings indicate that certain kinds of Facebook use may come along with significant risks, both psychologically and physiologically. Based on our review, we also identify potential avenues for future research.

Complex systems approaches to the adaptability of human functions and behavior in health, aging, and chronic diseases: protocol for a meta-narrative review

BACKGROUND

Evaluating the adaptability of human functions and behavior has become a subject of growing interest due to aging populations and the increased prevalence of chronic diseases. Various research traditions, based on complex systems theories, have addressed the adaptability of human functions and behavior. However, despite the different research traditions, no review has so far compared them to provide a reliable and useful synthetic tool. Based on an adapted methodology, study objectives are to refine common and divergent traits in the way adaptability of the human functions and behavior has been studied via complex system approaches, with a special focus on aging and chronic diseases. In order to meet this objective, we will use the methodology of the meta-narrative review, and we present in this article the protocol that we will follow.

METHODS

The meta-narrative review explores the contrasting and complementary ways in which researchers have studied a subject in order to synthesize information and extract theoretical and applied recommendations. In order to carry out this protocol, we detail our methodology of article extraction, coding, and synthesis. We present the six main stages of our review, from the planning stage to the recommendation stage, and the way we will implement the six principles that underpin the construction of a meta-narrative review.

DISCUSSION

The use of a meta-narrative review methodology will yield greater visibility and comprehension of the adaptability of human functions and behavior studied via complex systems-based approaches. In a broader perspective, this paper is also geared to help future researchers carry out a meta-narrative review by highlighting the main challenges encountered and anticipated as well as elements to be taken into account before starting such a project.