A protocol for a systematic review of knowledge translation strategies in the allied health professions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Knowledge translation (KT) aims to close the gap between knowledge and practice in order to realize the benefits of research through (a) improved health outcomes, (b) more effective health services and products, and (c) strengthened healthcare systems. While there is some understanding of strategies to put research findings into practice within nursing and medicine, we have limited knowledge of KT strategies in allied health professions. Given the interprofessional nature of healthcare, a lack of guidance for supporting KT strategies in the allied health professions is concerning. Our objective in this study is to systematically review published research on KT strategies in five allied health disciplines.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A medical research librarian will develop and implement search strategies designed to identify evidence that is relevant to each question of the review. Two reviewers will perform study selection and quality assessment using standard forms. For study selection, data will be extracted by two reviewers. For quality assessment, data will be extracted by one reviewer and verified by a second. Disagreements will be resolved through discussion or third party adjudication. Within each profession, data will be grouped and analyzed by research design and KT strategies using the Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Review Group classification scheme. An overall synthesis across professions will be conducted.</p> <p>Significance</p> <p>A uniprofessional approach to KT does not represent the interprofessional context it targets. Our findings will provide the first systematic overview of KT strategies used in allied health professionals' clinical practice, as well as a foundation to inform future KT interventions in allied healthcare settings.</p

In search of quality evidence for lifestyle management and glycemic control in children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Our purpose was to evaluate the impact of lifestyle behavior modification on glycemic control among children and youth with clinically defined Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a systematic review of studies (randomized trials, quasi-experimental studies) evaluating lifestyle (diet and/or physical activity) modification and glycemic control (HbA1c). Our data sources included bibliographic databases (EMBASE, CINAHL^®, Cochrane Library, Medline^®, PASCAL, PsycINFO^®, and Sociological Abstracts), manual reference search, and contact with study authors. Two reviewers independently selected studies that included any intervention targeting diet and/or physical activity alone or in combination as a means to reduce HbA1c in children and youth under the age of 18 with T2D.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our search strategy generated 4,572 citations. The majority of citations were not relevant to the study objective. One study met inclusion criteria. In this retrospective study, morbidly obese youth with T2D were treated with a very low carbohydrate diet. This single study received a quality index score of < 11, indicating poor study quality and thus limiting confidence in the study's conclusions.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>There is no high quality evidence to suggest lifestyle modification improves either short- or long-term glycemic control in children and youth with T2D. Additional research is clearly warranted to define optimal lifestyle behaviour strategies for young people with T2D.</p

Adolescent and Caregiver Perspectives on Family Navigation to Improve Healthcare Access and Use for Managing Pediatric Obesity

We interviewed families to explore their views on the role of family navigation (FN) to improve access to and use of health services for managing pediatric obesity. From March to December, 2020, we conducted individual, structured telephone interviews with adolescents with obesity (13-17 years old) and their caregivers from Edmonton and Calgary, Canada. Among our 37 participants (14 adolescents, 23 caregivers), most (n = 27; 73.0%) reported FN could improve their access to obesity management. Participants recommended several activities to support healthcare access and use, including appointment reminders, evening/weekend appointments, parking/transportation support, and in-clinic childcare, all of which help families to attend appointments over an extended period to support obesity management. Most participants preferred FN be offered by healthcare professional ‘navigators’ who were approachable, empathic, and compassionate since issues regarding health and obesity can be sensitive, emotional topics to discuss. Overall, families supported integrating FN into multidisciplinary pediatric obesity management to improve healthcare access and use by navigators who apply a range of practical strategies and relational skills to enhance long-term access and adherence to care

One-on-one lifestyle coaching for managing adolescent obesity: Findings from a pilot, randomized controlled trial in a real-world, clinical setting

Interventions for obese adolescents in real-world, clinical settings need to be evaluated because most weight management care occurs in this context. To determine whether a lifestyle intervention that includes motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy (Health Initiatives Program [HIP]) leads to weight management that is superior to a similar lifestyle intervention (Youth Lifestyle Program [YLP]) that does not include these techniques; and to determine whether the HIP and YLP interventions are superior to a wait list control (WLC) group. Obese adolescents were randomly assigned to a YLP (n=15), HIP (n=17) or WLC (n=14) group. The YLP and HIP were 16-session, one-on-one interventions. The primary outcome was the percentage change of body mass index z-score. Completers-only analyses revealed 3.9% (YLP) and 6.5% (HIP) decreases in the percentage change of body mass index z-score compared with a 0.8% (WLC) increase (P<0.001). Levels of attrition did not differ among groups, but were relatively high (approximately 20% to 40%). Lifestyle interventions delivered in a real-world, clinical setting led to short-term improvements in the obesity status of adolescents

sj-docx-3-his-10.1177_11786329231200863 – Supplemental material for Adolescent and Caregiver Perspectives on Family Navigation to Improve Healthcare Access and Use for Managing Pediatric Obesity

Supplemental material, sj-docx-3-his-10.1177_11786329231200863 for Adolescent and Caregiver Perspectives on Family Navigation to Improve Healthcare Access and Use for Managing Pediatric Obesity by Geoff DC Ball, Marcus G O’Neill, Mitchell Rath, Maryam Kebbe, Arnaldo Perez, Ian Zenlea and Josephine Ho in Health Services Insights</p

sj-docx-1-his-10.1177_11786329231200863 – Supplemental material for Adolescent and Caregiver Perspectives on Family Navigation to Improve Healthcare Access and Use for Managing Pediatric Obesity

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-his-10.1177_11786329231200863 for Adolescent and Caregiver Perspectives on Family Navigation to Improve Healthcare Access and Use for Managing Pediatric Obesity by Geoff DC Ball, Marcus G O’Neill, Mitchell Rath, Maryam Kebbe, Arnaldo Perez, Ian Zenlea and Josephine Ho in Health Services Insights</p