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In a collaborative research process, the participation of interdisciplinary researchers and multi-sectoral stakeholders supports the co-creation, translation, and exchange of new knowledge. Following a scoping review methodology, we explored the collaborative research processes in the specific context of environment and human health research. Initially, our literature search strategy identified 1,328 publications. After several phases of reviewing and applying screening criteria to titles, abstracts, and full text, 45 publications were selected for final review. Data were charted by different topics and then collated, summarized, and analyzed thematically. From the different experiences and research approaches analyzed, we identified comprehensive details of the key components, facilitators, challenges, and best practices that impact the collaborative research process. Specifically, we identified the following seven emerging themes: (a) allocating time and resources, (b) addressing disciplinary and sectoral issues, (c) building relationships, (d) ensuring representation, (e) embedding participation in the research, (f) supporting ongoing collaboration, and (g) developing knowledge translation and exchange. [This article was co-written with the DoMiNO Team.]

Background: Evidence from new health technologies is growing, along with demands for evidence to inform policy decisions, creating challenges in completing health technology assessments (HTAs)/systematic reviews (SRs) in a timely manner. Software can decrease the time and burden by automating the process, but evidence validating such software is limited. We tested the accuracy of RobotReviewer, a semi-autonomous risk of bias (RoB) assessment tool, and its agreement with human reviewers. Methods: Two reviewers independently conducted RoB assessments on a sample of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and their consensus ratings were compared with those generated by RobotReviewer. Agreement with the human reviewers was assessed using percent agreement and weighted kappa (K). The accuracy of RobotReviewer was also assessed by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve in comparison to the consensus agreement of the human reviewers. Results: The study included 372 RCTs. Inter-rater reliability ranged from K = -0.06 (no agreement) for blinding of participants and personnel to K = 0.62 (good agreement) for random sequence generation (excluding overall RoB). RobotReviewer was found to use a high percentage of "irrelevant supporting quotations" to complement RoB assessments for blinding of participants and personnel (72.6%), blinding of outcome assessment (70.4%), and allocation concealment (54.3%). Conclusion: RobotReviewer can help with risk of bias assessment of RCTs but cannot replace human evaluations. Thus, reviewers should check and validate RoB assessments from RobotReviewer by consulting the original article when not relevant supporting quotations are provided by RobotReviewer. This consultation is in line with the recommendation provided by the developers.

Every decision depends on a forecast of its consequences. We examine the calibration of the single longest and most complete forecasting project. The Survey of Professional Forecasters has, since 1968, collected predictions of key economic indicators such as unemployment, inflation, and economic growth. Here, we test the accuracy of those forecasts (n = 16,559) and measure the degree to which they fall victim to overconfidence, both overoptimism and overprecision. We find forecasts are overly precise; forecasters report 53% confidence in the accuracy of their forecasts, but are correct only 23% of the time. By contrast, forecasts show little evidence of optimistic bias. These results have important implications for how organizations ought to make use of forecasts. Moreover, we employ novel methodology in analyzing archival data: we split our dataset into exploration and validation halves. We submitted results from the exploration half to Collabra:Psychology. Following editorial input, we updated our analysis plan for the validation dataset, preregistering only analyses that were consistent across different economic indicators and analytic specifications. This manuscript presents results from the full dataset, prioritizing results that were consistent in both halves of the data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollutant release and transfer registers (PRTRs) collect and provide information on chemicals released to the environment or otherwise managed as waste. They support the public's right-to-know and provide useful information in gauging performance of facilities, sectors, and governments. The extent to which these data have been used in research, particularly in relation to human health, has not been documented. In this scoping review our objective was to learn from scholarly literature the extent and nature of the use of PRTR data in human health research. We performed literature searches (1994-2011) using various search engines and (or) key words. Articles selected for review were chosen following predefined criteria, to extract and analyze data. One hundred and eighty four papers were identified. Forty investigated possible relations with health outcomes: 33 of them identified positive associations. The rest explored other uses of PRTR data. Papers identified challenges, some imputable to the PRTR. We conclude that PRTR data are useful for research, including health-related studies, and have significant potential for prioritizing research needs that can influence policy, management, and ultimately human health. In spite of their inherent limitations, PRTRs represent a perfectible, unique useful source, whose application to human health research appears to be underutilized. Developing strategies to overcome these limitations could improve data quality and increase its utility in future environmental health research and policy applications. Key words: pollutant release and transfer registries, PRTR, human health, industrial emissions, toxic chemical releases. Les registres sur le relachement et le transfert des polluants (RRTPs) rassemblent et fournissent des informations sur les substances chimiques relachees dans l'environnement ou traites autrement comme dechets. Ils supportent le droit public a l'information et fournissent de l'information utile pour etablir la performance des installations, des secteurs et des gouvernements. On n'a jamais documente la frequence avec laquelle ces donnees ont ete utilisees en recherche, surtout en relation avec la sante humaine. Dans cette revue exploratoire, l'objectif des auteurs vise a apprendre a partir de la litterature scientifique, l'etendue et la nature de l'utilisation des donnees du RRTP dans les recherches sur la sante humaine. Il ont effectue une revue de la litterature (1994-2011) en utilisant divers moteurs de recherche et mots cles. Ils ont choisi les articles a selectionner selon des criteres predefinis, afin d'extraire et analyser les donnees. Ils ont identifie 184 publications. Quarante d'entre elles portent sur les relations possibles avec des questions de sante, dont 33 comportent des associations positives. Les autres explorent d'autres usages des donnees RRTP. Les auteurs concluent que les donnees RRTP sont utiles en recherche, incluant des etudes reliees a la sante et montrent un potentiel significatif pour etablir des priorites de besoins en recherche pouvant influencer les politiques, l'amenagement et ultimement la sante humaine. En depit de leurs limitations, les RRTP representent une source unique et perfectible d'information, dont les applications a la recherche en sante humaine semblent sous-utilisees. La mise en place de strategies pouvant surmonter ces limitations pourrait ameliorer la qualite des donnees et augmenter leur utilite dans les recherches futures sur la sante et l'environnement ainsi que les applications des politiques. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: registres sur le relachement et le transfert des polluants, RRTP, sante humaine, emissions industrielles, relachement de substances chimiques toxiques., Introduction Pollutant release and transfer register (PRTR) is the generic term used to describe a type of publically available database that contains information on the quantities of toxic chemicals or [...]

Abstract The concept of the Knowledge Translation Platform (KTP) provides cohesion and leadership for national–level knowledge translation efforts. In this review, we discuss nine key lessons documenting the experience of the Zambia Forum for Health Research, primarily to inform and exchange experience with the growing community of African KTPs. Lessons from ZAMFOHR’s organizational development include the necessity of selecting a multi-stakeholder and -sectoral Board of Directors; performing comprehensive situation analyses to understand not only the prevailing research-and-policy dynamics but a precise operational niche; and selecting a leader that bridges the worlds of research and policy. Programmatic lessons include focusing on building the capacity of both policy-makers and researchers; building a database of local evidence and national-level actors involved in research and policy; and catalyzing work in particular issue areas by identifying leaders from the research community, creating policy-maker demand for research evidence, and fostering the next generation by mentoring both up-and-coming researchers and policy–makers. Ultimately, ZAMFOHR’s experience shows that an African KTP must pay significant attention to its organizational details. A KTP must also invest in the skill base of the wider community and, more importantly, of its own staff. Given the very real deficit of research-support skills in most low-income countries – in synthesis, in communications, in brokering, in training – a KTP must spend significant time and resources in building these types of in-house expertise. And lastly, the role of networking cannot be underestimated. As a fully-networked KTP, ZAMFOHR has benefited from the innovations of other KTPs, from funding opportunities and partnerships, and from invaluable technical support from both African and northern colleagues.

Abstract For many sub-Saharan African countries, a National Health Research System (NHRS) exists more in theory than in reality, with the health system itself receiving the majority of investments. However, this lack of attention to NHRS development can, in fact, frustrate health systems in achieving their desired goals. In this case study, we discuss the ongoing development of Zambia’s NHRS. We reflect on our experience in the ongoing consultative development of Zambia’s NHRS and offer this reflection and process documentation to those engaged in similar initiatives in other settings. We argue that three streams of concurrent activity are critical in developing an NHRS in a resource-constrained setting: developing a legislative framework to determine and define the system’s boundaries and the roles all actors will play within it; creating or strengthening an institution capable of providing coordination, management and guidance to the system; and focusing on networking among institutions and individuals to harmonize, unify and strengthen the overall capacities of the research community.

Cluster randomized trial design, where groups of participants are randomized instead of individual participants, is increasingly being used in long-term care research. The purpose of this review was to determine the characteristics of cluster randomized trials in long-term care facilities. A medical librarian conducted the literature search. Two independent reviewers reviewed each paper. Studies were included if the design was cluster randomized and participants were from long-term care facilities. For each included study, two independent data extractors captured data on study attributes, including: journal, location, year published, author discipline, funding, methodology, number of participants, and intervention target. The literature search yielded 7,679 unique studies, with 195 studies meeting the selection criteria and being included for data extraction. The included studies were published between 1976 and 2017, with 53% of studies published after 2009. The term cluster randomized was in the title of only 45% of the studies. The studies were conducted worldwide; the United States had the largest number of studies (23%), followed by the United Kingdom (18%). Ten percent of studies were published in journals with an impact factor >10. The most frequent discipline of the first and last authors was medicine (34%), followed by nursing (17%). Forty-nine percent of the studies had government funding, while only 20% had medical industry funding. In studies with <1000 residents, 85% of the studies obtained consent from the resident and/or their proxy, while in studies with ≥ 1000 residents, it was 31%. The most frequent intervention targets were infection (13%), falls/fracture (13%), and behavior/physical restraint (13%). Cluster randomized controlled trials in long-term care have a unique set of characteristics. Results of this review will provide guidance to researchers conducting studies in long-term care facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dube, Philippe, Charlevoix: Two Centuries at Murray Bay. Kingston and Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1990. Pp. 271 Wetherell, Donald G., with Irene Kmets, 'Useful Pleasures': The Shaping of Leisure in [...]

In this call to action, a coalition of Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, United States and Canada argue for the urgent need for adequately funded Indigenous-led solutions to perinatal health inequities for Indigenous families in well-resourced settler-colonial countries. Authors describe examples of successful community-driven programs making a difference and call on all peoples to support and resource Indigenous-led perinatal health services by providing practical actions for individuals and different groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this systematic review was to explore the effectiveness of various systemic corticosteroid (SCS) regimens to mitigate relapse in children with asthma discharged from an acute care setting. Data Sources: Medline, EMBASE, Global Health, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, EMB ALL, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Proquest Dissertations and Theses Global, and LILACS were searched using controlled vocabulary and key words. Additional citations were searched via clinical trial registries, Google Scholar, bibliographies, a SCOPUS forward search of a sentinel paper, and hand searching conference abstracts. Study Selection: No limitations based on language, publication status, or year of publication were applied. Two independent reviewers searched to identify randomized controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of SCS regimens to prevent relapse in children following treatment for acute asthma. Results: Fifteen studies were included. In 3 studies comparing SCS to placebo, asthma relapse was significantly reduced (RR = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.77; I2 = 0%). A network analysis identified a significant reduction in relapse in children treated with intramuscular corticosteroids (OR = 0.038; 95% CrI: 0.001, 0.397), short-course oral prednisone (OR = 0.054; 95% CrI: 0.002, 0.451), and oral dexamethasone (OR = 0.071; 95% CrI: 0.002, 0.733) compared to placebo. Conclusion: This review found evidence that SCS reduces relapse in children following treatment for acute asthma, albeit based on a limited number of studies. Additional studies are required to assess the differential effect of SCS doses and treatment duration to prevent relapse in children following discharge for acute asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aims Teleophthalmology is well positioned to play a key role in screening of major chronic eye diseases. Economic evaluation of costeffectiveness of teleophthalmology, however, is lacking. This study provides a systematic review of economic studies of teleophthalmology screening for diabetic retinopathy (DR), glaucoma and macular degeneration. Methods Structured search of electronic databases and full article review yielded 20 cost-related articles. Sixteen articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were retained for a narrative review: 12 on DR, 2 on glaucoma and 2 on chronic eye disease. Results Teleophthalmology for DR yielded the most cost savings when compared with traditional clinic examination. The study settings varied among urban, rural and remote settings, community, hospital and health mobile units. The most important determinant of cost-effectiveness of teleophthalmology was the prevalence of DR among patients screened, indicating an increase of cost savings with the increase of screening rates. The required patient pool size to be screened varied from 110 to 3500 patients. Other factors potentially influencing cost-effectiveness of teleophthalmology were older patient age, regular screening and full utilisation of the equipment. Teleophthalmology for glaucoma was more cost-effective compared with in-person examination. Similarly, increasing number of glaucoma patients targeted for screening yielded more cost savings. Conclusions This economic review provides supportive evidence of cost-effectiveness of teleophthalmology for DR and glaucoma screening potentially increasing screening accessibility especially for rural and remote populations. Special selection of the targeted screening population will optimise the cost-effectiveness of teleophthalmology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: Cognitive support technologies that support clinical decisions and practices in the emergency department (ED) have the potential to optimize patient care. However, limited uptake by clinicians can prevent successful implementation. A better understanding of acceptance of these technologies from the clinician perspective is needed. We conducted a scoping review to synthesize diverse, emerging evidence on clinicians’ acceptance of point‐of‐care (POC) cognitive support technology in the ED. Method: We systematically searched 10 electronic databases and gray literature published from January 2006 to December 2016. Studies of any design assessing an ED‐based POC cognitive support technology were considered eligible for inclusion. Studies were required to report outcome data for technology acceptance. Two reviewers independently screened studies for relevance and quality. Study quality was assessed using the Mixed‐Methods Appraisal Tool. A descriptive analysis of the features of POC cognitive support technology for each study is presented, illustrating trends in technology development and evaluation. A thematic analysis of clinician, technical, patient, and organizational factors associated with technology acceptance is also presented. Results: Of the 1,563 references screened for eligibility, 24 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Most studies were published from 2011 onward (88%), scored high for methodologic quality (79%), and examined POC technologies that were novel and newly introduced into the study setting (63%). Physician use of POC technology was the most commonly studied (67%). Technology acceptance was frequently conceptualized and measured by factors related to clinician attitudes and beliefs. Experience with the technology, intention to use, and actual use were also more common outcome measures of technology acceptance. Across studies, perceived usefulness was the most noteworthy factor impacting technology acceptance, and clinicians generally had positive perceptions of the use of POC cognitive support technology in the ED. However, the actual use of POC cognitive support technology reported by clinicians was low—use, by proportion of patient cases, ranged from 30% to 59%. Of the 24 studies, only two studies investigated acceptance of POC cognitive support technology currently implemented in the ED, offering “real‐world” clinical practice data. All other studies focused on acceptance of novel technologies. Technical aspects such as an unfriendly user interface, presentation of redundant or ambiguous information, and required user effort had a negative impact on acceptance. Patient expectations were also found to have a negative impact, while patient safety implications had a positive impact. Institutional support was also reported to impact technology acceptance. Conclusions: Findings from this scoping review suggest that while ED clinicians acknowledge the utility and value of using POC cognitive support technology, actual use of such technology can be low. Further, few studies have evaluated the acceptance and use of POC technologies in routine care. Prospective studies that evaluate how ED clinicians appraise and consider POC technology use in clinical practice are now needed with diverse clinician samples. While this review identified multiple factors contributing to technology acceptance, determining how clinician, technical, patient, and organizational factors mediate or moderate acceptance should also be a priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The CHLA/ABSC Special Committee on Research undertook this project to identify potential ways in which the Association could support its members in undertaking research. The goal was to inform future CHLA/ABSC research-related service and program offerings. A literature review revealed limited publication related to health librarians' research needs. Method: The Committee developed and distributed an online survey to CHLA/ABSC's membership. The questions related to demographics, previous research engagement or experience, current research support, work-related research requirements and expectations, barriers and enablers for conducting research, desired research support (topic and format) from CHLA/ABSC, and types of programs that would benefit members the most. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collated and analysed. Data from open ended questions were examined to identify relevant themes. Results: Survey participants (45) were nearly equally divided between academic health libraries and hospital libraries. Forty-three members responded to the English survey, while two responded to the French version. Results showed that the barriers to research, and the research supports needed are similar for both academic health librarians and hospital librarians. Results showed a strong desire for methodological and statistical training. Conclusion: Through this study CHLA/ABSC members identified several kinds of preferred research support. CHLA/ABSC can use these findings to guide the selection and delivery of further continuing education products, as well as the development of specific research support services such as a peer-review program, a research question and answer blog and research mentorship; and also improve communications around CHLA/ABSC's research services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:To synthesize high-quality evidence to compare traditional in-person screening and tele-ophthalmology screening.Methods:Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The intervention of interest was any type of tele-ophthalmology, including screening of diseases using remote devices. Studies involved patients receiving care from any trained provider via tele-ophthalmology, compared with those receiving equivalent face-to-face care. A search was executed on the following databases: Medline, EMBASE, EBM Reviews, Global Health, EBSCO-CINAHL, SCOPUS, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, OCLC Papers First, and Web of Science Core Collection. Six outcomes of care for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), or glaucoma were measured and analyzed.Results:Two hundred thirty-seven records were assessed at the full-text level; six RCTs fulfilled inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Four studies involved participants with diabetes mellitus, and two studies examined choroidal neovascularization in AMD. Only data of detection of disease and participation in the screening program were used for the meta-analysis. Tele-ophthalmology had a 14% higher odds to detect disease than traditional examination; however, the result was not statistically significant (n = 2,012, odds ratio: 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52–2.53, p = 0.74). Meta-analysis results show that odds of having DR screening in the tele-ophthalmology group was 13.15 (95% CI: 8.01–21.61; p < 0.001) compared to the traditional screening program.Conclusions:The current evidence suggests that tele-ophthalmology for DR and age-related macular degeneration is as effective as in-person examination and potentially increases patient participation in screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Almost half a million breast reduction surgeries are performed internationally each year, yet it is unclear how this type of surgery impacts breastfeeding. This is particularly important given the benefits of breastfeeding. Objectives: To determine if breast reduction surgery impacts breastfeeding success and whether different surgical techniques differentially impact breast feeding success. Methods: Databases were searched up to September 5, 2017. Studies were included if they reported the number of women successful at breastfeeding or lactation after breast reduction surgery, and if they reported either the total number of women who had children following breast reduction surgery, or the total number of women who attempted to breastfeed following surgery. Results: Of 1,212 studies, 51 studies met the inclusion criteria; they were located worldwide and had 31 distinct breast reduction techniques. The percentage of breastfeeding success among studies was highly variable. However, when analyzed by the preservation of the column of parenchyma from the nipple areola complex to the chest wall (subareolar parenchyma), a clear pattern emerged. The median breastfeeding success was 4% (interquartile range (IQR) 0–38%) for techniques with no preservation, compared to 75% (IQR 37–100%) for techniques with partial preservation and 100% (IQR 75–100%) for techniques with full preservation. Conclusions: Techniques that preserve the column of subareolar parenchyma appear to have a greater likelihood of successful breastfeeding. The preservation of the column of subareolar parenchyma should be disclosed to women prior to surgery. Guidelines on the best breast reduction techniques to be used in women of child bearing years may be advantageous to ensure women have the greatest potential for successful breastfeeding after breast reduction surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recognising radical shifts in the global health research (GHR) environment, participants in a 2013 deliberative dialogue called for careful consideration of equity-centred principles that should inform Canadian funding polices. This study examined the existing funding structures and policies of Canadian and international funders to inform the future design of a responsive GHR funding landscape.Methods: We used a three-pronged analytical framework to review the ideas, interests and institutions implicated in publically accessible documents relevant to GHR funding. These data included published literature and organisational documents (e.g. strategic plans, progress reports, granting policies) from Canadian and other comparator funders. We then used a deliberative approach to develop recommendations with the research team, advisors, industry informants and low- and middle-income country (LMIC) partners.Results: In Canada, major GHR funders invest an estimated CA$90 M per annum; however, the post-2008 re-organization of funding structures and policies resulted in an uncoordinated and inefficient Canadian strategy. Australia, Denmark, the European Union, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States of America invest proportionately more in GHR than Canada. Each of these countries has a national strategic plan for global health, some of which have dedicated benchmarks for GHR funding and policy to allow funds to be held by partners outside of Canada. Key constraints to equitable GHR funding included (1) funding policies that restrict financial and cost burden aspects of partnering for GHR in LMICs; and (2) challenges associated with the development of effective governance mechanisms. There were, however, some Canadian innovations in funding research that demonstrated both unconventional and equitable approaches to supporting GHR in Canada and abroad. Among the most promising were found in the International Development Research Centre and the (no longer active) Global Health Research Initiative.Conclusion: Promoting equitable GHR funding policies and practices in Canada requires cooperation and actions by multiple stakeholders, including government, funding agencies, academic institutions and researchers. Greater cooperation and collaboration among these stakeholders in the context of recent political shifts present important opportunities for advancing funding policies that enable and encourage more equitable investments in GHR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of academic library involvement in research data management has presented numerous challenges for academic libraries. Although libraries and archives have always had collection development policies that defined what they would or would not collect, policies for selecting research data for preservation are in their infancy. This study surveyed and interviewed health sciences academic researchers. From this research an initial list of eight types of health research data were identified as data that should not be preserved and made public. These include research data that are: sensitive or confidential; proprietary; easily replicable; do not have good metadata; test, pilot, or intermediate data; bad or junk data; data that cannot be used by others for a variety of reasons; and older data that are not used and have no obvious cultural or historical value. Conclusions drawn from the study will help librarians and archivists make informed decisions about which types of research data are worth keeping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Academic health librarians are increasingly involved as members of research teams that conduct systematic reviews. Sometimes librarians are co-authors on the resulting publications, sometimes they are acknowledged, and sometimes they receive no recognition. This study was designed to query librarian supervisors' understanding of the extent to which Canadian academic health librarians are involved in systematic reviews and the manner in which their work is recognized. Methods: A survey asking 21 questions was sent to supervisors of librarians at all 17 academic health sciences libraries in Canada, querying the extent and nature of librarians' involvement in systematic review research projects and the forms of acknowledgement that they receive. Results: Fourteen responses to the survey were received. Results show strong expectations that librarians are involved, and will be involved, in systematic review research projects. Results related to supervisors' perceptions of the number of reviews undertaken, the amount of time required, the forms of acknowledgement received, and the professional value of systematic review searching varied greatly. Discussion: The lack of consensus among academic health librarians' supervisors regarding most aspects of librarians' involvement in systematic review projects, and the ways in which this work is and should be acknowledged, points to the need for research on this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic review searching is becoming an increasing part of the day-to-day work of health librarians. The University of Alberta John W. Scott Health Sciences Library offers a monthly three-hour “Introduction to Systematic Review Searching” workshop to researchers at the University of Alberta. Over the four years that the program has been offered, participants have completed evaluations at the end of each session. Based on these evaluations, the content and the delivery of the workshop have been refined, and the value of the sessions to the participants has been affirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) devices are commonly used for screening of hyperbilirubinemia in term and near-term infants not exposed to phototherapy. However, the accuracy of TcB devices in infants exposed to phototherapy is unclear. Objectives: To conduct a systematic review of studies comparing TcB devices with total serum bilirubin (TSB) in infants receiving phototherapy or in the postphototherapy phase. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and Scopus databases (from inception to May 8, 2014) were searched. Additional citations were identified from the bibliography of selected articles and from the abstracts of conference proceedings. The studies were included if they compared TcB results with TSB in term and near-term infants during phototherapy or after discontinuation of phototherapy. Two reviewers independently assessed studies for inclusion, and discrepancies were resolved with consensus. Risk of bias was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. Results: Fourteen studies were identified. The pooled estimates of correlation coefficients (r) during phototherapy were: covered sites 0.71 (95% CI 0.64-0.77, 11 studies), uncovered sites 0.65 (95% CI 0.55-0.74), 8 studies), forehead 0.70 (95% CI 0.64-0.75, 12 studies) and sternum 0.64 (95% CI 0.43-0.77, 5 studies). Two studies also provided results as Bland-Altman difference plots (mean TcB-TSB differences -29.2 and 30 μmol/l, respectively). The correlation coefficient improved marginally in the postphototherapy phase (r = 0.72, 95% CI 0.64-0.78, 4 studies). Conclusion: We found a moderate correlation between TcB and TSB during phototherapy with a marginal improvement in the postphototherapy phase. Further research is needed before the use of TcB devices can be recommended for these settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This systematic review examines whether frequent emergency department (ED) users experience higher mortality, hospital admissions and outpatient visits than non-frequent ED users. Design We published an a priori study protocol in PROSPERO. Our search strategy combined terms for 'frequent users' and 'emergency department'. At least two independent reviewers screened, selected, assessed quality and extracted data. Third-party adjudication resolved conflicts. Results were synthesised based on median effect sizes. Data sources We searched seven electronic databases with no limits and performed an extensive grey literature search. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies We included observational analytical studies that focused on adult patients, had a comparison group of non-frequent ED users and reported deaths, admissions and/or outpatient outcomes. Results The search strategy identified 4004 citations; 374 were screened by full text and 31 cohort and cross-sectional studies were included. Authors used many different definitions to describe frequent users; the overall quality of the included studies was moderate. Across seven studies examining mortality, frequent users had a median 2.2-fold increased odds of mortality compared with non-frequent users. Twenty-eight studies assessing hospital admissions found a median increased odds of admissions per visit at 1.16 and of admissions per patient at 2.58. Ten studies reported outpatient visits with a median 2.65-fold increased risk of having at least one outpatient encounter post-ED visit. Conclusions Frequent ED users appear to experience higher mortality, hospital admissions and outpatient visits compared with non-frequent users, and may benefit from targeted interventions. Standardised definitions to facilitate comparable research are urgently needed. Review registration number: PROSPERO (CRD42013005855). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To conduct a systematic review of the clinical trials evaluating the role of antibiotics for prevention or treatment of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). Methods: We searched several electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SCOPUS (until September 2013), and CENTRAL (until August 2013). Additional citations were retrieved from the bibliographies of the selected articles. Studies were included if they were: Randomized or quasi-randomized trials, compared use of antibiotics with no antibiotics for treatment or prevention of MAS, and reported on clinical outcomes in the neonatal period. Results: Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified; three studies enrolled subjects for treatment of MAS and one study evaluated the prophylactic use of antibiotics in infants exposed to meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF). These trials enrolled 695 infants, with the duration of antibiotics between 3 and 7 days. All studies excluded subjects considered to be at higher risk for neonatal sepsis at onset. There were no differences noted for the outcomes of infection rates (relative risk [RR] [95% confidence interval: 0.85 [0.42, 1.73] for clinical sepsis, and 0.93 [0.36, 2.40] for culture-proven sepsis), need for mechanical ventilation (RR: 1.39 [0.68, 2.82]), air leaks syndrome (RR: 1.65 [0.68, 3.99]), hospital stay (mean difference - 0.34 days [-1.13, 0.45]), or mortality (RR: 1.25 [0.36, 4.39]) between the intervention and control groups. Conclusions: In neonates at low-risk for sepsis, insufficient evidence exists to support the routine use of antibiotics following exposure to MSAF or for the treatment of for suspected MAS. We discuss the implications and limitations of review findings for clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for systematic review support in academic health sciences libraries is increasing. To manage the demand, the John W. Scott Health Sciences Library at the University of Alberta has created an action plan consisting of eight strategies. The results of implementing these strategies have been varied. Some have shown immediate results, while others are long term strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Performing systematic review searches related to Canadian Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis), particularly in areas of public health, is difficult because Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms for both Indigenous peoples and geography do not retrieve all relevant articles in Ovid MEDLINE. Text-word searching for Canadian Indigenous peoples presents challenges in the varieties of names, spellings, and languages. A series of Canadian Indigenous peoples filters were designed to retrieve larger numbers of relevant articles. Objectives: The objectives of this work were (i) to create first-generation search filters that retrieve studies from the Ovid MEDLINE database related to Canadian Indigenous peoples, (ii) to determine whether or not the filters retrieve more records than do searches using the MeSH headings alone, and (iii) to determine how many of the additional records are relevant. Methods: Key terms describing both Canadian Indigenous peoples and Canadian geography were identified using government, historical, and ethnographic publications. Name lists included current and historical names in multiple languages, as well as local and settlement names, and names of linguistic groups. Filters, employing both text-word and MeSH terms were created for each province and territory, excluding Prince Edward Island. Search results were reviewed for false recalls related to terms with multiple meanings and groups of people whose lands straddle provincial and territorial borders. Revised searches were refined with additional terminology that implies the presence of Indigenous peoples. Duplicate records were removed from both the MeSH searches and the filter searches. Results from the MeSH searches were then removed from the results of the filter searches. The remaining results were analyzed for relevance. Results: Twelve Ovid MEDLINE filters were created and the challenges involved in creating them were documented. The filters increased recall by 58 articles, 464% over MeSH searches alone. Of the additional articles retrieved, 28 (100%) met the criteria for relevance. Discussion: The lists of challenges identified in the filter creation will assist other searchers in developing similar filters. The filters allow searchers to retrieve substantially more articles than is currently possible with the MeSH terms alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Performing systematic review searches related to Canadian Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis), particularly in areas of public health, is difficult because Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms for both Indigenous peoples and geography do not retrieve all relevant articles in Ovid MEDLINE. Text-word searching for Canadian Indigenous peoples presents challenges in the varieties of names, spellings, and languages. A series of Canadian Indigenous peoples filters were designed to retrieve larger numbers of relevant articles. Objectives: The objectives of this work were (i) to create first-generation search filters that retrieve studies from the Ovid MEDLINE database related to Canadian Indigenous peoples, (ii) to determine whether or not the filters retrieve more records than do searches using the MeSH headings alone, and (iii) to determine how many of the additional records are relevant. Methods: Key terms describing both Canadian Indigenous peoples and Canadian geography were identified using government, historical, and ethnographic publications. Name lists included current and historical names in multiple languages, as well as local and settlement names, and names of linguistic groups. Filters, employing both text-word and MeSH terms were created for each province and territory, excluding Prince Edward Island. Search results were reviewed for false recalls related to terms with multiple meanings and groups of people whose lands straddle provincial and territorial borders. Revised searches were refined with additional terminology that implies the presence of Indigenous peoples. Duplicate records were removed from both the MeSH searches and the filter searches. Results from the MeSH searches were then removed from the results of the filter searches. The remaining results were analyzed for relevance. Results: Twelve Ovid MEDLINE filters were created and the challenges involved in creating them were documented. The filters increased recall by 58 articles, 464% over MeSH searches alone. Of the additional articles retrieved, 28 (100%) met the criteria for relevance. Discussion: The lists of challenges identified in the filter creation will assist other searchers in developing similar filters. The filters allow searchers to retrieve substantially more articles than is currently possible with the MeSH terms alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that evaluated the information literacy instruction (IL) being delivered to the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta. The goals of the evaluation are provided along with the methodology used consisting of a survey, literature review, consultation with key collaborators and analysis of program documents. Results are reported involving extent of IL instruction received, and feedback from respondents. Benefits from data are discussed.

The article reports on the developments in the library and information services of the University of the Arctic (UArctic). The nature of the UArctic as an international consortial university and its membership worldwide are described. Part of the learnings from the 2009 UArctic Council Meeting in Sweden identified the need to incorporate information literacy in the university's curriculum. Definition of learning environments and where libraries can play an important role are tackled. Steps to be taken to improve the UArctic Library are also provided.