Innovations in communication between patients, caregivers, health care providers, and trainees in inpatient pediatrics: a scoping review protocol

OBJECTIVE: This scoping review will identify and synthesize evidence regarding implemented and evaluated innovations aimed at improving communication between patients, caregivers, health care providers, and trainees in inpatient pediatric setting. INTRODUCTION: Communication has an important role in promoting safe, effective, and equitable patient care. Medical interactions in the inpatient pediatric setting require unique communication strategies. While family-centered rounds are beneficial, additional adaptations and innovations are needed to meet patient and family communication needs and reduce disparities in communication. There is currently no synthesis of innovations to improve communication between patients, caregivers, health care providers, and trainees in inpatient pediatric settings. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Participants in this review will include hospitalized pediatric patients or their caregivers, and health care providers or medical trainees. The review will explore implemented and evaluated innovations aimed at improving communication of patients and/or caregivers with health care providers and/or medical trainees. Inpatient pediatric medical units will be investigated in any geographic location, but only English studies with an evaluative component in their design will be included. METHODS: This review will follow JBI methodology for scoping reviews. Databases to be searched include MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL. Study selection and data extraction will be conducted in duplicate, with data extracted using a tool created by the authors. The Implementation Outcomes Framework, Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, and Health Equity Implementation Framework will be used to develop a conceptual map and support analysis. The results will be narratively described and presented visually using tables and figures. REVIEW REGISTRATION: OSF https://osf.io/3zs59/overview.