Project description:BackgroundResearch on factors associated with dialysis withdrawal is scarce. This study examined the predictors that might influence rate of dialysis withdrawal. Existing literature is summarized, analyzed and synthesized to identify gaps in the literature with regard to the factors associated with dialysis withdrawal.MethodsThis scoping review used a systematic search to synthesize research findings related to dialysis withdrawal and identified gaps in the literature. The search strategy was developed and applied using PubMed, EMBASE and CINHAL databases. The selection criteria included articles written in English and published between 1997 and 2016 that examined dialysis withdrawal and associated factors in patients with any modality of renal dialysis.. Case reports and studies only including renal transplant patients were excluded. Fifteen articles were selected in accordance with these selection criteria.ResultsThe literature review revealed a scarcity of research on dialysis withdrawal and associated factors. Furthermore, the study findings were inconsistent and inconclusive. Authors have defined dialysis withdrawal in terms of dialysis discontinuation, withholding, death, withdrawal, treatment refusal/cessation, or technique failure. Authors have selected homogeneous patient population on either hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, thus making comparisons of studies and generalization of findings difficult.ConclusionFuture studies should explore the influence of both HD and PD on patient-elected dialysis withdrawal using a large a priori calculated sample size.
Project description:Background and objectivePhysician maldistribution is a global problem that hinders patients' abilities to access healthcare services. Medical education presents an opportunity to influence physicians towards meeting the healthcare needs of underserved communities when establishing their practice. Understanding the impact of educational interventions designed to offset physician maldistribution is crucial to informing health human resource strategies aimed at ensuring that the disposition of the physician workforce best serves the diverse needs of all patients and communities.MethodsA scoping review was conducted using a six-stage framework to help map current evidence on educational interventions designed to influence physicians' decisions or intention to establish practice in underserved areas. A search strategy was developed and used to conduct database searches. Data were synthesized according to the types of interventions and the location in the medical education professional development trajectory, that influence physician intention or decision for rural and underserved practice locations.ResultsThere were 130 articles included in the review, categorized according to four categories: preferential admissions criteria, undergraduate training in underserved areas, postgraduate training in underserved areas, and financial incentives. A fifth category was constructed to reflect initiatives comprised of various combinations of these four interventions. Most studies demonstrated a positive impact on practice location, suggesting that selecting students from underserved or rural areas, requiring them to attend rural campuses, and/or participate in rural clerkships or rotations are influential in distributing physicians in underserved or rural locations. However, these studies may be confounded by various factors including rural origin, pre-existing interest in rural practice, and lifestyle. Articles also had various limitations including self-selection bias, and a lack of standard definition for underservedness.ConclusionsVarious educational interventions can influence physician practice location: preferential admissions criteria, rural experiences during undergraduate and postgraduate medical training, and financial incentives. Educators and policymakers should consider the social identity, preferences, and motivations of aspiring physicians as they have considerable impact on the effectiveness of education initiatives designed to influence physician distribution in underserved locations.
Project description:BackgroundMany factors influence the menopausal transition and the complexity of this transition increases with the addition of immigration transition. This review aims to identify the factors that influence the menopausal transition for immigrant women based on ecosocial theory.MethodsA scoping review of English publications was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines using CINAHL, AgeLine, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ERIC, Nursing and Allied Health Database, PsycARTICLES, Sociology Database, and Education Research Complete. Thirty-seven papers were included for this review.ResultsThe factors which influence the menopausal transition for immigrant women were grouped into three categories: (a) personal factors, (b) familial factors, and (c) community and societal factors. Personal factors include income and employment, physical and psychological health, perceptions of menopause, and acculturation. Familial factors include partner support, relationships with children, and balancing family, work, and personal duties. Community and societal factors encompassed social network, social support, healthcare services, traditional cultural expectations, and discrimination in host countries.ConclusionsInterventions addressing the menopausal transition for immigrant women should be designed considering different psychosocial factors and actively work to address systemic barriers that negatively impact their transition.
Project description:Background and objectiveAs the number of cancer cases is increasing dramatically worldwide, patients with cancer are facing serious threats of nutritional loss, sarcopenia, and even cachexia in the early stages of the disease. Sarcopenia is closely associated with poor prognosis of patients with cancer; however, there is a significant gap in the current clinical knowledge of tumor-related sarcopenia and the means to prevent and control it. The aim of this study is to explore the prevalence and influencing factors of tumor-related sarcopenia through a scoping review, and to provide guidance for future research directions and the development of intervention protocols.MethodsUsing computerized search methods, we extensively searched multiple authoritative databases, including CNKI, Wanfang Database, FMRS, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and BMJ, with a search time limit from the establishment of the databases to July 16, 2024. Systematic data extraction, integration, and analysis were performed on the included studies, and the research results were finally summarized and reported.ResultsA total of 22 papers involving 20069 patients with cancer were included, and the prevalence of sarcopenia ranged from 8% to 84.96%. There were 54 influencing factors of tumor-related sarcopenia, risk factors including low BMI, advanced age, male sex, and TNM stage IV, and associated factors including NRS2002 score ≥ 3, long-term smoking history, diabetes mellitus, tumor size more than 4 cm, and lymph node metastases.ConclusionThe prevalence of tumor-related sarcopenia is high and influenced by numerous factors, and most of the literature included in this review were cross-sectional and retrospective studies. Future studies urgently need to adopt a more rigorous longitudinal design in order to deeply investigate the causal relationship between factors and sarcopenia, and further exploration of factors with unclear mechanisms is needed, as well as to carry out intervention studies based on this group, in order to delay or even stop the sarcopenia development process and improve the prognostic quality of patients with cancer.
Project description:Background and importanceA significant reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality is related to aggressive management of modifiable CVD risk factors. Therefore, patients at increased risk for CVD should not only benefit from standard pharmacotherapy but also from counseling regarding lifestyle behavioral changes.ObjectiveTo determine the patient factors that influence provision of cardiovascular risk reduction counseling from physicians, as well as the frequencies of counseling.Design, setting, and participantsSecondary analysis of a prospective, randomized trial among an underserved inner-city and rural population (n = 388) with a 10% or greater CVD risk (Framingham 10-year risk score). Subjects were followed for 1 year and were seen for quarterly assessments, which included evaluation of weight, blood pressure, lipid, and glucose status. At each of the 4 quarterly visits, subjects were asked if their physician had discussed or made recommendations regarding lifestyle behaviors, specifically diet, weight loss, and exercise.ResultsThe average patient age was 61.3 ± 10.1 years, average A1c was 6.7 ± 1.6%, average total cholesterol was 201 ± 44 mg/dL. The average body mass index (BMI) was 31.8 ± 6.4 kg/m2, and the average blood pressure was 146 ± 18/82 ±11 mm Hg. Using binary logistic regression analysis, BMI (P < .025) was the only clinical factor related to physician lifestyle counseling. All other risk factors showed no statistical relationship.ConclusionThe data indicate that BMI is the major factor associated with whether or not physicians provide counseling regarding nutrition and weight loss. Physicians may be missing important opportunities to influence behavior in patients at high risk for CVD by limiting their focus to obese patients.
Project description:BackgroundIt is undetermined how effective superior capsule/capsular reconstruction (SCR) is, and which factors influence clinical outcomes.Questions/purposes(1) To identify which factors influence outcomes in SCR, (2) to evaluate the effect of graft integrity on clinical outcomes, and (3) to compare SCR to other procedures for irreparable rotator cuff tears.MethodsPubMed and EMBASE databases were searched for clinical SCR studies. Data on specific factors that influenced outcomes, that compared outcomes between intact/torn graft groups, or compared SCR to alternative treatments for irreparable tears were extracted by two investigators. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed to compare outcomes between intact vs torn SCR grafts.Results394 articles were identified. 100 full-text articles were screened. 13 studies were included for scoping review. Eight studies were meta-analyzed. Better clinical scores were found in younger patients, with intact/repairable subscapularis, without acetabulization/arthritis, who played sports. In patients with irreparable tears without arthritis, SCR produced similar clinical scores at 2 years as shoulder arthroplasty and partial infraspinatus repair, and greater improvements in ASES and Constant scores than latissimus dorsi tendon transfer. Intact grafts produced better VAS (mean difference [MD] = 0.97, 95% confidence interval [-1.45-0.50], P < 0.0001, I 2 = 67%, n [patients] = 261), ASES (MD = 8.29, [2.89-13.70], P = 0.003, I 2 = 74%, n = 281), external rotation (MD = 4.49, [0.36-8.61], P = 0.03, I 2 = 0%, n = 240), and acromiohumeral distance (MD = 2.45, [0.96-3.94], P = 0.001, I 2 = 92%, n = 260) than torn grafts.ConclusionsPatients who underwent SCR for irreparable rotator cuff tears were more likely to have better clinical outcomes if they were younger, had intact/repairable subscapularis, without acetabulization/arthritis, played sports and had intact grafts.
Project description:BackgroundAdolescent pregnancy is a public health challenge that has well-defined causes, associated health risks, and social and economic consequences for adolescent, their families, communities, and society. The purpose of this scoping review is to summarize studies published on socio-cultural determinants of adolescent pregnancy in Ghana.MethodsSearch for records was done in four major databases, including PubMed CENTRAL, Science Direct and JSTOR. Records from Google and Google Scholar were also added, and results and findings from published and unpublished studies were included. All the 22 studies that met the eligibility criteria, were critically appraised. The guidelines for conducting scoping reviews by Arksey and O'Malley were followed.ResultsThe result revealed that poverty, peer influence, low level of education, dysfunctional family, lack of communication between parents and their daughters, lack of sexual and reproductive health education, child marriage, coerced sex, misconception and non-usage of contraceptives, and decline in cultural values such as puberty rites and virginity inspection are some of the determinants of adolescent pregnancy in Ghana. The study also showed that there is a lack of high-quality observational studies that adjust for confounding variables.ConclusionInterventions and policies should be designed to take into consideration the needs, context, and background of adolescents. Programmes to enhance adolescent reproductive health need to consider multilevel factors such as person, family, community, institutions, national, and global issues that affect such programmes.
Project description:BackgroundStrategic planning is critical for successful pandemic management. This study aimed to identify and review the scope and analytic depth of situation analyses conducted to understand their utility, and capture the documented macro-level factors impacting pandemic management.MethodsTo synthesise this disparate body of literature, we adopted a two-step search and review process. A systematic search of the literature was conducted to identify all studies since 2000, that have 1) employed a situation analysis; and 2) examined contextual factors influencing pandemic management. The included studies are analysed using a seven-domain systems approach from the discipline of strategic management.ResultsNineteen studies were included in the final review ranging from single country (6) to regional, multi-country studies (13). Fourteen studies had a single disease focus, with 5 studies evaluating responses to one or more of COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Influenza A (H1N1), Ebola virus disease, and Zika virus disease pandemics. Six studies examined a single domain from political, economic, sociological, technological, ecological or wider industry (PESTELI), 5 studies examined two to four domains, and 8 studies examined five or more domains. Methods employed were predominantly literature reviews. The recommendations focus predominantly on addressing inhibitors in the sociological and technological domains with few recommendations articulated in the political domain. Overall, the legislative domain is least represented.ConclusionsEx-post analysis using the seven-domain strategic management framework provides further opportunities for a planned systematic response to pandemics which remains critical as the current COVID-19 pandemic evolves.
Project description:BackgroundExercise that challenges balance is the most effective fall prevention intervention in community-dwelling older adults. Identifying factors influencing implementation of community fall prevention exercise programs is a critical step in developing strategies to support program delivery.ObjectiveTo identify implementation facilitators, barriers, and details reported in peer-reviewed publications on community fall prevention exercise for older adults.DesignScoping review.MethodsWe searched multiple databases up to July 2023 for English-language publications that reported facilitators and/or barriers to implementing an evidence-based fall prevention exercise program in adults aged 50+ years living independently. At least two reviewers independently identified publications and extracted article, implementation, and exercise program characteristics and coded barriers and facilitators using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).ResultsWe included 22 publications between 2001 and July 2023 that reported factors influencing implementation of 10 exercise programs. 293 factors were reported: 183 facilitators, 91 barriers, 6 described as both a facilitator and barrier, and 13 unspecified factors. Factors represented 33 CFIR constructs across all five CFIR domains: implementation inner setting (n = 95 factors); innovation (exercise program) characteristics (n = 84); individuals involved (n = 54); implementation process (n = 40) and outer setting (n = 20). Eight publications reported implementation strategies used; 6 reported using a conceptual framework; and 13 reported implementation outcomes.ConclusionThe high number of factors reflects the complexity of fall prevention exercise implementation. The low reporting of implementation strategies, frameworks and outcomes highlight the ongoing need for work to implement and sustain community fall prevention exercise programs.
Project description:BackgroundHuman trafficking is a human rights violation in every region of the world. The African continent is not spared. Every year, millions of people experience significant health and social consequences. International organizations and governments combating human trafficking are hindered by a lack of knowledge about what factors influence domestic (within-country) human trafficking.ObjectiveThis study aims to conduct a scoping review to collate and synthesize literature on factors influencing domestic trafficking in Africa.MethodsWe will follow Arksey and O'Malley's framework to answer the question about reported influences on domestic human trafficking and their relative weight. The search strategy will explore PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus. A total of 2 independent researchers will select quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods studies that examine relationships influencing domestic human trafficking. We will document our results by following the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. We will extract a list of all reported relationships between identified factors influencing domestic human trafficking in each study. Based on a discourse analysis approach, we will weigh the strengths of the relationships based on how frequently they are reported across the included studies. We will summarize the findings as fuzzy cognitive maps depicting the relationships reported in the literature. The maps represent the influences between concepts (nodes) linked by arrows (edges) going from each cause to its outcomes. These maps are helpful visual summaries of the factors associated with domestic human trafficking, allowing a comparison with maps to be created by stakeholder groups.ResultsThis project received financial support in March 2023. We expect to start the project in March 2024. We recruited 2 research staff members to conduct the scoping review and expect to publish the results in March 2025.ConclusionsThe review will provide a comprehensive understanding of factors influencing domestic human trafficking in Africa. The overlap of human trafficking with other forms of exploitation, the limited literature on domestic human trafficking, and the likely diversity of factors are challenges for the review. We propose strategies to address these challenges.International registered report identifier (irrid)PRR1-10.2196/56392.