Nurse-led randomised controlled trials in the perioperative setting: A scoping review

Judy Munday; Niall Higgins; Saira Mathew; Lizanne Dalgleish; Anthony Batterbury; Luke Burgess; Jill Campbell; Lori Delaney; Bronwyn Griffin; James Hughes; Jessica Ingleman; Samantha Keogh; Fiona Coyer

doi:10.26550/2209-1092.1187

Authors

Dr Judy Munday Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology, University of Agder, Mater Research Institute – The University of Queensland
Niall Higgins Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Saira Mathew Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology
Lizanne Dalgleish Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Anthony S Batterbury Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Luke Burgess Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology, Mater Research Institute – The University of Queensland
Jill Campbell Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Lori J Delaney Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology, Australian National University
Bronwyn R Griffin Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology
James A Hughes Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Jessica Ingleman Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology
Samantha Keogh Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Griffith University
Fiona Coyer Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26550/2209-1092.1187

Keywords:

perioperative, nursing, randomised controlled trial, scoping review

Abstract

Purpose: Nurses provide care at each phase of the complex perioperative pathway and are well placed to identify areas of care requiring investigation in randomised controlled trials. Yet, currently, the scope of nurse-led randomised controlled trials conducted within the perioperative setting are unknown. This scoping review aims to identify areas of perioperative care in which nurse-led randomised controlled trials have been conducted, to identify issues impacting upon the quality of these trials and identify gaps for future investigation.

Methods: This scoping review was conducted in reference to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, with a date range of 2014 to 2019. Sources of unpublished literature included Open Grey, ProQuest Dissertation and Theses, Clinical Trials.gov and the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. After title and abstract checking, full-text retrieval and data extraction, studies were appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Randomised Controlled Trials. Data were synthesised according to the main objectives. Key information was tabulated.

Results: From the 86 included studies, nurse-led randomised controlled trials focussed on patient or caregiver anxiety, post-operative pain relief, surgical site infection prevention, patient and caregiver knowledge, perioperative hypothermia prevention and post-operative nausea and vomiting in addition to other diverse outcomes. Issues impacting upon quality (including poorly reported randomisation) and gaps for future investigation (including a focus on vulnerable populations) are evident.

Conclusion: Nurse-led randomised controlled trials in the perioperative setting have focused on key areas of perioperative care. Yet, opportunities exist for nurses to lead experimental research in other perioperative priority areas and within different populations that have been neglected, such as in the population of older adults undergoing surgery.