Genomics-informed nursing strategies and health equity: A scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this scoping review is to map the available evidence on strategies that nurses can use to facilitate genomics-informed healthcare to address health disparities. INTRODUCTION: Advancements in genomics over the last two decades have led to an increase in the delivery of genomics-informed health care. Although the integration of genomics into health care services continues to enhance patient outcomes, access to genomic technologies is not equitable, exacerbating existing health disparities amongst certain populations. As the largest portion of the health workforce, nurses play a critical role in the delivery of equitable genomics-informed care. However, little is known about how nurses can help address health disparities within the context of genomics-informed health care. A review of the literature will provide the necessary foundation to identify promising practices, policy, and knowledge gaps for further areas of inquiry. INCLUSION CRITERIA: We will include papers that explore strategies that nurses can undertake to facilitate genomics-informed care to address health disparities. METHODS: This review will be conducted using JBI methodology for scoping reviews. We will search electronic databases including MEDLINE (OVID), EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PsychInfo, and CINAHL for quantitative and qualitative studies, systematic reviews and grey literature. Theses, books, and unavailable full-text papers will be excluded. The search will be limited to papers from 2013 and beyond. Two reviewers will screen titles and abstracts followed by full-text and disagreements will be resolved by a third reviewer. We will use a data extraction tool using Microsoft Excel and analyse data using descriptive statistics and conventional content analysis. Findings will be presented in the form of evidence tables and a narrative summary. We will report findings using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). DISCUSSION: Genomics will continue to transform all aspects of health care across the wellness continuum from prevention, assessment, diagnosis, management, treatment, and palliative care. The identification of nursing strategies to address health disparities will build the foundation for policy and practice to ensure that the integration of genomic technologies benefits everyone.

Pathways for Healthcare Organizations to Strengthen Indigenous Nurse Retention.

Call to Action #92 encourages corporations to apply the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as an organizational framework and provides concrete strategies to guide policy and operational activities to increase Indigenous participation in the economy (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada 2015b; UN 2007). Call to Action #92 and the UNDRIP are explored to provide strategies to decolonize mainstream healthcare organizations and promote workplace structures that assist Indigenous nurses in thriving in the work setting. The recommendations in this synthesis paper can be used by healthcare organizations to support Indigenous reconciliation in Canada.

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Providers: Policy Implications for Pandemic Recovery.

BACKGROUND: Notably higher rates of mental health issues have been reported among healthcare providers (HCPs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns over the impact of policy decisions on the well-being of HCPs is growing, yet it remains underexplored in the literature. METHOD: HCPs from a 301-bed mental health hospital and a 408-bed acute care community hospital, both located in central Ontario, participated in interviews (N = 30) and answered open-ended questionnaires (N = 88) to provide their experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Using interpretive description methods, we found that public health policies and other strategies intended to mitigate COVID-19 transmission variably impacted HCP well-being and professional practice. DISCUSSION: Pandemic-related policies contributed to HCP stress by changing the healthcare environment and clinical practice. Understanding HCP experiences is key for leaders, policy makers and health system planners to deal with the current state, recovery and preparation for future pandemics. Direct input into policy development, implementation and evaluation from HCPs may support their well-being.