Effects of psychoeducational interventions on sexual functioning, quality of life and psychological outcomes in patients with gynaecological cancer: A systematic review.

Background: The diagnosis of gynaecological cancer and the effects of related treatment have adverse effects on sexual functioning, quality of life and psychological outcomes of patients. Psychoeducational interventions are recommended for use in clinical areas for gynaecological cancer patients to improve patient outcomes. However, the evidence for its effectiveness is far from conclusive.

The effectiveness of mental health-related theoretical education and clinical placement in mental health settings in changing the attitudes of health care students towards mental illness: A systematic review.

Background: People with mental illness are subject to stigma, which is the process of stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination. Patients' experience of discrimination from the health care community may be a barrier to help-seeking in mental illness. Mental health-related theoretical education and clinical placement in mental health settings during student years may reduce stigmatising attitudes towards mental illness.

Determinants of non-compliance with Antiretroviral Therapy among adults living with HIV/AIDS: A Systematic Review.

Background: Non-compliance with Antiretroviral Therapy is a major public health concern and further challenged by interaction of various social and clinical obstacles. So; near perfect pill taking is desirable in order to maximise its benefits.

Objectives: To systematically search, appraise and synthesise the best available evidence on determinants of non-compliance with Antiretroviral Therapy among adults living with HIV/AIDS and provide direction to future how to increase compliance with Antiretroviral Therapy.

Administration of propofol for sedation of non-mechanically ventilated patients in non-critical care areas by anesthesia providers and non-anesthesia trained healthcare providers: a systematic review.

Background: The use of propofol as a sedative in various outpatient settings is controversial. At the heart of this controversy is the use of propofol by non-anesthesia trained healthcare providers.

Objective: To synthesize the best available evidence on the administration of propofol for sedation by anesthesia and non-anesthesia providers in spontaneous breathing patients in non-critical care settings.

A systematic review on the role of extremity skin temperature as a non-invasive marker for hypoperfusion in critically ill adults in the intensive care setting.

Background: Haemodynamic monitoring is the cornerstone of critical care management. The adequacy of peripheral perfusion has been used as a determinant of cardiovascular system status. Poor cardiac function leads to increased vascular resistance, contributing to reduced tissue perfusion, and it is said to cause a large temperature gradient between the core and the skin.

Khat as a risk factor for hypertension: A systematic review.

Background: Studies suggest possible newer risk factors for hypertension including Khat chewing, a plant which grows wild in countries bordering the Red Sea and along the east coast of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Objectives: The objective was to synthesise the best available evidence on the epidemiological association between Khat chewing as exposure (potential risk factor) and hypertension.

Inclusion Criteria: Subjects aged 16 years old or older regardless of gender and ethnicity, country of residence, Khat dose, frequency, duration of chewing or other characteristics of Khat exposure and co-presence of other known risk factors for hypertension.

The hospitalised patients' experience of being in protective/source isolation: A systematic review of qualitative evidence.

Background: The placement of hospitalised patients in isolation is either done to protect the immunocompromised patient from others (reverse or protective isolation) or to protect others from the patient's infectious process (isolation). Both situations require limiting the contact between the patient and others to prevent the spread of pathogens or to protect the immunocompromised patient. Isolating patients remains a primary treatment in the hospital setting.

The effectiveness of delegation interventions by the registered nurse to the unlicensed assistive personnel and their impact on quality of care, patient satisfaction, and RN staff satisfaction: a systematic review.

Background: Delegation by the registered nurse is a decision making process that includes assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Due to an ever-expanding global shortage of nurses, registered nurses are increasingly dependent on unlicensed assistive personnel to assist in the provision of safe patient care. Delegation is recognised as a fundamental nursing skill that can be utilised effectively to improve quality care.

A systematic review on the effectiveness of continuity of care and its role in patient satisfaction and decreased hospital readmissions in the adult patient receiving home care services.

Background: Continuity of care, a concept that in its broadest terms describes patient and provider coordination across time and settings, has evidenced a positive correlation with patient satisfaction and hospital readmission rates. Home health care, where patients receive care from a variety of healthcare practitioners, is one area where these measures are being investigated to determine the effectiveness of continuity of care.

Objective: To examine and synthesize the best available evidence related to the effectiveness of continuity of care interventions and their impact on patient satisfaction and all-cause hospital readmissions rates in the adult patient who is receiving home care services.

Mothers' and health visitors' perceptions of the support provided to mothers who have experienced domestic violence: A systematic review.

Background: Domestic violence has been described as a public health epidemic, with victims of domestic violence encountered in all health care settings. Within the United Kingdom the role of the health visitor (specialist community public health nurse) is to promote health in the whole community; every family with a child under five years has a named health visitor. Preparation for the health visitor role is unique to the United Kingdom.

Effective teaching of communication to health professional undergraduate and postgraduate students: A Systematic Review.

Review Question/objective: The objective is to identify and assess the effectiveness of tools and methods of teaching communication skills to health professional students in undergraduate and postgraduate programs, to facilitate communication in hospitals, nursing homes and mental health institutions.For this review, effective communication will be defined as that which enhances patient satisfaction, safety, symptom resolution, psychological status, or reduces the impact/burden of disease and/or improved communication skills within undergraduate or postgraduate studentsThe review question is: What is the best available evidence on strategies to effectively teach communication skills to undergraduate and postgraduate medical, nursing and allied health students (nutrition and dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology etc)?

Background: Communication is a two-way interaction where information, meanings and feelings are shared both verbally and non-verbally. Effective communication is when the message being conveyed is understood as intended.

Non-pharmacological Management of Fever in Otherwise Healthy Children.

Background: Fever is a common childhood problem faced in both hospital and community settings. In many cases the fever is associated with mild to moderate self-limiting illnesses. There has been a rapid increase in antipyretic use as the means of managing or treating this adaptive physiological response to infection.

The effectiveness of virtual reality interventions in improving balance in adults with impaired balance compared to standard or no treatment: A systematic review.

Background: Balance impairment can result in falls and reduced activities of daily living and function. Virtual reality and interactive gaming systems provide a novel and potentially environmentally flexible treatment option to improve postural stability and reduce falls in balance impaired populations. There are no existing systematic reviews in this topic area.

The effectiveness of caregiver psychosocial interventions on the psychosocial wellbeing, physical health and quality of life of stroke family caregivers and their stroke survivors: A systematic review.

Background: Family caregivers play a significant role in the rehabilitation of stroke survivors. Various types of psychosocial interventions have been developed to improve the well-being of both stroke survivors and their caregivers. However, studies showed the results to be mixed and provided insufficient evidence about the optimal dose, approach and format of interventions.

The efficacy of complementary therapies for agitation among older people in residential care facilities: a systematic review.

Background: Agitation is recognised by aged care literature as the most common behavioural problem in residential aged care facilities. Complementary therapies are advocated by some as a solution to reduce the effect of agitation in older people and are becoming increasingly incorporating into nursing care. Complementary therapies in nursing management, is endorsed by the Australian Nurses and Midwifery Board for nurse initiation.

Effectiveness of structured discharge process in reducing hospital readmission of adult patients with community acquired pneumonia: A systematic review.

Background: Hospital readmission soon after discharge is common and costly. To date, published studies of effectiveness of structured discharge process addressing reduction of hospital readmission have focused on patients with chronic conditions and complex needs, but not in adult patients with community acquired pneumonia.

Objectives: To examine and synthesise the best available evidence related to effectiveness of structured discharge process in reducing hospital readmission of adult patients with community acquired pneumonia.

Elderly patients' experiences of care received in the emergency department: a systematic review.

Background: Elderly patients admitted into the emergency department present with high levels of illness acuity and severity, accompanied by multiple and complex medical and psychosocial issues, creating challenges for health care professionals to provide appropriate care.

Objective: To determine the best available evidence on elderly patients' experiences of care received in the emergency department.

Inclusion Criteria: The review considered studies that included male and female patients of all ethnic groups who were 65 years old and above, and admitted to the emergency department with urgent and non-urgent health-related issues.