Experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people admitted for a cardiac event in Australian public hospitals: a systematic review protocol

Abstract

REVIEW QUESTION/OBJECTIVE The objective of the systematic literature review is to identify the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people admitted for a cardiac event in Australian public hospitals, and ascertain the factors which shape these experiences. The specific review question to be addressed is: What are the factors which shape the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Islander people who have been admitted for a cardiac event in Australia? INCLUSION CRITERIA Types of participants The review will consider studies that have included Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of any age, who have been admitted to and have received care in, an Australian public hospital for a cardiac condition. Participants of interest are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, their families and members of community, or health care providers and policy makers providing care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the hospital setting. Phenomena of interest The phenomena of interest are the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples treated for a cardiac event in an Australian hospital, as well as an understanding of which factors impact on those experiences, expressed as attitudes, beliefs, expectations, understandings and knowledge. Context The context of the review is the provision of care to patients being treated for a cardiac condition within Australian public hospitals. The review will consider patients receiving “cardiac care” or being treated in a cardiac ward (including but not limited to cardiac surgery, cardiology and cardiothoracic wards).