Protocol For Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Research Articles

General practitioners’ and women’s experiences of perimenopause consultations: A qualitative evidence synthesis protocol

Background Perimenopause precedes menopause and can cause a myriad of symptoms for women. General practitioners (GPs) are frequently the first contact for perimenopausal women with symptoms. However, women express feeling dissatisfied with the consultations they have with their GPs for perimenopausal symptoms. Moreover, diagnostic difficulties can make these consultations challenging for GPs. Despite these challenges, research to date has focused on menopause, not the transition to menopause. To date, no evidence synthesis has examined how women experience perimenopause consultations, nor how GPs experience providing care to these women. Objective To systematically search, collate, and appraise the qualitative literature to understand general practitioners' and women's experiences of perimenopause consultations and examine how treatment decisions are made during consultations. Methods A meta-ethnography will be conducted following Sattar et al. (2021) guidelines for conducting a meta-ethnography as developed by Noblit and Hare (1988). Seven databases will be systematically searched. To be included, studies must report on the experiences of either general practitioners and/or perimenopausal women and published since 2014 to capture the most up-to-date evidence. Quality assessment will be conducted using CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) tools. A GRADE-CERqual (Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research) will be conducted to assess the confidence of the findings. PROSPERO registration number CRD42024520537. Discussion Findings will provide new and useful insight into how GPs and women experience consultations for perimenopause and how decisions are made during these consultations.

Community health workers for health systems resilience during COVID-19: protocol for qualitative evidence synthesis

IntroductionCOVID-19 exposed the fragility of health systems, where even the most basic health services in high-income and low-income and middle-income nations could not withstand the health systems shock due to...

Experiences of adolescents living with HIV on transitioning from pediatric to adult HIV care in low and middle-income countries: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Protocol.

In South Africa, it is estimated that approximately 320,000 adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) will transition from pediatric to adult antiretroviral treatment (ART) by 2028. However, the age period of 10-19 years is accompanied by a myriad of barriers that challenge the transition process, and continued adherence to ART. The transition process involves ALHIV taking charge of their own health and disease management which raises challenges for their retention in care. Managing transition becomes particularly challenging in low-resource contexts as their healthcare systems are not adapted to the specific needs it requires. There is a need to garner an understanding of existing transition practices which address the specific needs of adolescents and is optimized to their requirements and available resources within a low- or middle-income country context. This review will include all qualitative and mixed method studies which will facilitate a deeper understanding the experiences of ALHIV on transition experiences. The review will specifically look at studies conducted in low- and middle-income countries. The included studies must be presented in the English language and published between 2010-2023. The search strategy will be finalized with consultation with an information specialist. All three reviewers will be present throughout all stages of the review. One reviewer will work independently on the initial screening of studies and another reviewer will assist in checks. After data is extracted, the data will be thematically analyzed with the use of Atlas.Ti computer software. No ethics approval is required and the review will be published in peer reviewed journals and submitted to conferences. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023396459.

Experiences and management needs of endocrine therapy-related symptoms in patients with breast cancer: a systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis protocol

IntroductionPatients with breast cancer and endocrine therapy-related symptoms often experience pain, self-denial, anxiety, fear of recurrence and despair, which can be extremely physically and psychologically traumatising for the patients. Failure...

Client experience of food assistance programs among adults in the United States: a qualitative evidence synthesis protocol.

Policymakers, health practitioners, and other key partners are increasingly focused on ensuring that clients of food assistance programs have positive experiences, a key aspect of high-quality programming. The objectives of this review are to describe the experiences of clients participating in food assistance programs in the United States (US) and to identify ways that these programs promote or hinder positive experiences. We will conduct a qualitative evidence synthesis with partners from food security organizations and community members. Peer-reviewed literature will be systematically searched in Scopus, CINAHL, and AGRICOLA. To identify grey literature, we will use Google's programmable search engine. This review will consider sources that present results of primary qualitative studies that focus on at least one food assistance program in the US and explore the perspectives of adult clients. Only sources published in English or Spanish from 2007 onward will be included. Multiple reviewers will screen articles for inclusion and extract data from articles that meet the inclusion criteria, using a structured data extraction tool. Thematic synthesis or meta-ethnography may be appropriate approaches for synthesizing the extracted data. The final selection of synthesis method will be determined once the set of primary qualitative studies to be included in the review is complete and the type of data presented in these studies is known. We will assess the methodological quality of the included studies using the CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) tool for qualitative studies and assess the confidence in the review findings using the GRADE-CERQual (Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research) approach. The findings of this review will inform the development of measures to assess client experience and quality improvement efforts.

Influencing Factors of Nurses’ Practice during the Bedside Handover: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Protocol

Nursing Bedside Handover (NBH) is acknowledged as a nursing practice implemented at the patient's bedside to improve communication safety during the shift change, but it is vulnerable due to inconsistent application among nurses. This synthesis of qualitative evidence aims to review and synthesize the perceptions and experiences of nurses regarding the factors that, in their perspective, influence NBH practice. We will follow the thematic synthesis methodology of Thomas and Harden and the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) Statement guidelines. A search will be conducted through the databases of MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus, and we will follow the three-step search process to identify primary studies with qualitative or mixed-method research designs and projects of quality improvement. The screening and selection of the studies will be carried out by two independent reviewers. We will use the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) to report the screening, search, and selection of studies. To assess its methodological quality, two reviewers will independently use the CASM Tool. The extracted data will be reviewed, categorized, and summarized in tabular and narrative formats. The findings obtained will allow us to inform future research and change management led by nurse managers.

Stakeholders’ Perceptions and Experiences of Animal Assisted Interventions for People Living With Dementia: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Protocol

Background: Dementia is a priority public health issue globally. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) lead to low quality of life (QoL) for people living with dementia and can also cause distress amongst their caregivers. To date, the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments for dementia have had limited. Animal assisted intervention (AAI) has become a popular non-pharmacological therapy and psychosocial intervention, and can have positive effects on mood, social behavior, physical activity and QoL of people living with dementia. The factors influencing the delivery of AAI remain underexplored. The aim of this review is to synthesize qualitative research regarding stakeholders’ perceptions and experiences of AAI for people living with dementia in community settings. Methods: We will systematically search nine databases/platforms. Two reviewers will independently screen the titles, abstracts and full texts; the process will be reported following PRISMA guidance. Data from included studies will be extracted according to a specifically designed form. Three reviewers will independently appraise the methodological quality of studies using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program qualitative checklist. We will analyze data following thematic synthesis. GRADE-CERQual will be applied to assess confidence in the findings. The research team will engage in reflexivity throughout all review stages of process through regular meetings/discussions. A Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) contributor will be included to oversee and provide advice on the QES process. Discussion: AAI is a potentially valuable for improving mood and reducing BPSD for people living with dementia. However, the perceptions and experiences of stakeholders and factors influencing the implementation of AAI for people living with dementia are not clear. This qualitative evidence synthesis will significantly contribute to the evidence base. It will identify factors and recommendations for AAI guidance, and have clinical and social implications of improving the well-being of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Weight Stigma Responses: Patient Perceptions and Experiences of Interactions With Healthcare Professionals Across Healthcare Settings–A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Protocol

Background: Weight stigma is enacted by healthcare providers across healthcare settings where it has been consistently shown to contribute to poor physical health outcomes and the maintenance of obesity via physiological, cognitive, emotional and behavioural pathways. Despite key stakeholders identifying obesity as a disease, people with obesity continue to experience denigration and discrimination, particularly in healthcare settings. Qualitative studies which capture the experience of enacted weight stigma from the patient perspective can increase awareness of how stigma presents within patient-provider interactions and ultimately inspire change in healthcare provision. The current review aims to systematically search for and synthesise enacted weight stigma experienced in primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare settings, explicitly from the patient perspective. Methods: Electronic searches will be conducted in PubMed, Medline, PsycInfo, Cinahl, Embase and Scopus to locate relevant studies published in English from May 2011. Two reviewers will independently conduct title and abstract screening and full text screening, any disagreements will be resolved through discussion with a third reviewer. The methodological quality of the included studies will be appraised using the critical appraisal skills programme (CASP) check list. A thematic synthesis will be conducted by the lead author in collaboration with the review team. Confidence in the review findings will be assessed by the review team using GRADE CERQual. Discussion: It is anticipated that the findings of the review will facilitate a deep and broad understanding of the patient experience to inform best practice and future intervention design.

Exploring the attitudes, beliefs, and values of the long-term care workforce towards palliative care: A qualitative evidence synthesis protocol

Background and Aim The long-term care workforce is a significant provider of palliative care. The majority of older people being admitted to long-term care have palliative care needs and many are approaching end of life. The long-term care workforce comprises both registered health care professionals and unlicensed health care workers (UHCW) who provide most direct care. Studies that have examined palliative care competence in long-term care have focused on staff knowledge. However, it is also important to understand staff attitudes, beliefs, and values towards palliative care because these attributes influence behaviours related to care provision. The aim of the qualitative evidence synthesis is to identify and appraise the best available qualitative evidence on the attitudes, beliefs, and values of the long-term care workforce towards palliative care. Inclusion criteria The review will consider original research that reports qualitative findings of long-term care staff and their attitudes, beliefs, and values regarding palliative care for residents of long-term care facilities. Methods The following databases will be searched for eligible papers: CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, PsychINFO, and Scopus. Studies that meet the inclusion criteria by addressing all of the phenomena of interest will be reviewed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence. Two reviewers will independently assess the studies for methodological quality. The data will be extracted using the standardized JBI SUMARI extraction tool. Specific details about authors and publication date, study design, aims, context, population, cultural and linguistic background, location, main findings, limitations, and conclusions will be extracted and a level of credibility assigned. Categories will be developed from the findings. The findings will be presented diagrammatically and accompanied by a narrative to explain categories and synthesised findings. Discussion The review of the literature will synthesis key findings pertaining to the attitudes, beliefs, and values of the workforce providing palliative care to older people in long-term care, beyond what is known about palliative care knowledge in this workforce.

Key Stakeholders’ Experiences and Perceptions of Virtual Reality for Older Adults Living With Dementia: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Protocol

Background: Technology is increasingly being used in dementia care as a means of non-pharmacological intervention. One such technology, Virtual Reality (VR) has shown to be a promising vehicle to deliver interventions for people living with dementia. The views of people living with dementia and key stakeholders must be considered to inform future research. There is a lack consensus regarding VR design considerations for this population which makes it difficult for researchers and practitioners to develop meaningful VR spaces. Methods: This qualitative evidence synthesis (QES) protocol aims to explore key stakeholders’ experiences and perceptions of VR for older adults living with dementia. A systematic search will be conducted across six electronic databases. Forward and backward citation searching, and hand searching will identify additional articles. Two authors will independently complete title and abstract, and full text screening. Quality appraisal will be conducted using the CASP qualitative checklist. Included studies will be analyzed using a thematic synthesis approach. The GRADE-CERQual will assess the researcher’s confidence in the findings. Discussion: This QES will constitute part of a larger project which aims to develop a VR social connecting space for older adults living with dementia. The findings will also add to the existing body of literature exploring VR in dementia care contexts. It is anticipated that this review will add to the momentum toward holistic design practices, resulting in usable and acceptable VR spaces for older adults living with dementia.

Stage 1 Registered Report: The experiences and perceptions of parent-child interaction therapy for parents of young children with communication difficulties: A qualitative evidence synthesis protocol

Background: Parent-child interaction therapy refers to a group of interventions mediated by trained parents to address areas of developmental difficulties in children. In the field of speech and language therapy it is used in early intervention for children with speech, language and communication difficulties. The intervention involves training parents and caregivers on the importance of responsivity and language input in daily interactions and coaches them on strategies to implement these with the children. As the success of the intervention is heavily influenced by caregiver engagement, understanding and acceptance, it is important to consider their views. However, to date there has been limited work on synthesising parental views of this intervention. Methods: This is a protocol for a qualitative evidence synthesis of peer-reviewed qualitative papers addressing the experiences and perceptions of parent-child interaction therapy for parents of children with communication difficulties. We will complete a systematic search of 11 databases, review the reference lists and complete a cited reference search of all included studies. Two authors will independently screen tests for inclusion, initially by title and abstract, with full-text screening as necessary. Thematic synthesis will be used for all included studies. We will appraise the quality of included studies using CASP and confidence in the review findings using GRADE CERQual. Discussion: As the views of parents are pivotal in the success of this intervention, the findings from this synthesis should help to guide best practice and policy for the future implementation of parent child interaction therapy for children with communication difficulties..

Stage 1 Registered Report: The experiences and perceptions of parent-child interaction therapy for parents of young children with communication difficulties: A qualitative evidence synthesis protocol

Background: Parent-child interaction therapy refers to a group of interventions mediated by trained parents to address areas of developmental difficulties in children. In the field of speech and language therapy it is used in early intervention for children with speech, language and communication difficulties. The intervention involves training parents and caregivers on the importance of responsivity and language input in daily interactions and coaches them on strategies to implement these with the children. As the success of the intervention is heavily influenced by caregiver engagement, understanding and acceptance, it is important to consider their views. However, to date there has been limited work on synthesising parental views of this intervention. Methods: This is a protocol for a qualitative evidence synthesis of peer-reviewed qualitative papers addressing the experiences and perceptions of parent-child interaction therapy for parents of children with communication difficulties. We will complete a systematic search of 11 databases, review the reference lists and complete a cited reference search of all included studies. Two authors will independently screen tests for inclusion, initially by title and abstract, with full-text screening as necessary. Thematic synthesis will be used for all included studies. We will appraise the quality of included studies using CASP and confidence in the review findings using GRADE CERQual. Discussion: As the views of parents are pivotal in the success of this intervention, the findings from this synthesis should help to guide best practice and policy for the future implementation of parent child interaction therapy for children with communication difficulties..

Stage 1 Registered Report: The experiences and perceptions of parent-child interaction therapy for parents of young children with communication difficulties: A qualitative evidence synthesis protocol.

Background: Parent-child interaction therapy is an early intervention for children with speech, language and communication difficulties. It involves training parents and caregivers on the importance of responsivity and language input in daily interactions and coaches them on strategies to implement this with the children. As the success of the intervention is heavily influenced by caregiver engagement, understanding and acceptance, it is important to consider their views. However, to date there has been limited work on synthesizing parental views of this intervention. Methods: This is a protocol for a qualitative evidence synthesis of peer-reviewed papers addressing the experiences and perceptions of parent-child interaction therapy for parents of young children with communication difficulties. We will complete a systematic search of 11 databases, review the reference lists and complete a cited reference search of all included studies. Two authors will independently screen tests for inclusion, initially by title and abstract, with full-text screening as necessary. Thematic synthesis will be used for all included studies. We will appraise the quality of included studies using CASP and confidence in the review findings using GRADE CERQual. Discussion: The findings from this synthesis will help to guide best practice and policy for the implementation of parent child interaction therapy by considering the views of parents.

Barriers and facilitators to reducing anticholinergic burden from the perspectives of patients, their carers, and healthcare professionals: A protocol for qualitative evidence synthesis.

Anticholinergic drugs are prescribed for a range of conditions including gastrointestinal disorders, overactive bladder, allergies, and depression. While in some circumstances anticholinergic effects are therapeutic, they also pose many undesired or adverse effects. The overall impact from concomitant use of multiple medications with anticholinergic properties is termed anticholinergic burden (ACB). Greater ACB is associated with increased risks of impaired physical and cognitive function, falls, cardiovascular events, and mortality. This has led to the development of interventions aimed at reducing ACB through the deprescribing of anticholinergic drugs. However, little is known about the implementation issues that may influence successful embedding and integration of such interventions into routine clinical practice. In this paper, we present the protocol for our systematic review that aims to identify the qualitative evidence for the barriers and facilitators to reduce ACB from the perspectives of patients, carers, and healthcare professionals. A comprehensive search strategy will be conducted across OVID Medline, EMBASE, PsycInfo, and CINAHL. The review will be conducted in accordance with ENTREQ (Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research) and has been registered with PROSPERO (Registration CRD42018109084). Normalization process theory (NPT) will be used to explore, understand, and explain qualitative data in relation to factors that act as barriers or facilitators to ACB reduction.

Transgender persons’ HIV care (dis)engagement: a qualitative evidence synthesis protocol from an ecological systems theory perspective

IntroductionThere seems to be little information on interactional patterns of enabling and constraining factors contributing to HIV care engagement across systems and across time. Understanding these patterns from a (micro–meso–macro–exo)...

The experiences and perceptions of personhood for people living with dementia: A qualitative evidence synthesis protocol

Background: Personhood in dementia is concerned with treating people living with dementia with dignity and respect, in a manner that supports their sense of self. It focuses on treating the person living with dementia as a person first and foremost. Supporting personhood in dementia is the key goal of person-centred care. Existing qualitative research examines what personhood means to the person living with dementia and explores what is important to their personhood and sense of self. However, to date little work has focused on synthesising these studies. Methods: This is a protocol for a qualitative evidence synthesis of personhood in dementia. The review examines qualitative peer-reviewed research of the perspectives and experiences of personhood for people living with dementia. A systematic search will be carried out on eight electronic databases and supplemented by other purposeful literature search methods. Title and abstract screening, and full text screening will be carried out by two authors independently. Included studies will be critically appraised. Thematic synthesis will be conducted on all of the included studies. Confidence in the review findings will be assessed using GRADE CERQual. Discussion: The findings from this synthesis will be useful to health care providers and policy makers seeking to understand what personhood means for people living with dementia. The findings will also inform optimal service provision, as well as outcome measures in dementia. PROSPERO registration: CRD42017076114 (21/11/2017)

The experiences and perceptions of personhood for people living with dementia: A qualitative evidence synthesis protocol.

Background: Personhood in dementia is concerned with treating people living with dementia with dignity and respect, in a manner that supports their sense of self. It focuses on treating the person living with dementia as a person first and foremost. Supporting personhood in dementia is the key goal of person-centred care. Existing qualitative research examines what personhood means to the person living with dementia and explores what is important to their personhood and sense of self. However, to date little work has focused on synthesising these studies. Methods: This is a protocol for a qualitative evidence synthesis of personhood in dementia. The reviewexamines qualitative peer-reviewed research of the perspectives and experiences of personhood for people living with dementia. A systematic searchwill be carried out on eight electronic databases and supplemented by other purposeful literature search methods. Title and abstract screening, and full text screening will be carried out by two authors independently. Included studies will be critically appraised. Thematic synthesis will be conducted on all of the included studies. Confidence in the review findings will be assessed using GRADE CERQual. Discussion: The findings from this synthesis will be useful to health care providers and policy makers seeking to understand what personhood means for people living with dementia. The findingswill also inform optimal service provision, as well as outcome measures in dementia. PROSPERO registration: CRD42017076114 (21/11/2017).