Methods to advance health equity and social justice in healthcare: Protocol for a scoping review on the utilisation of routinely collected data.

BACKGROUND: Many areas of healthcare are impacted by a paucity of research that is translatable to clinical practice. Research utilising real-world data, such as routinely collected patient data, may be one option to efficiently create evidence to inform practice and service delivery. Such studies are also valuable for exploring (in)equity of services and outcomes, and benefit from using non-selected samples representing the diversity of the populations served in the 'real world'. This scoping review aims to identify and map the published research which utilises routinely collected clinical healthcare data. A secondary aim is to explore the extent to which this literature supports the pursuit of social justice in health, including health inequities and intersectional approaches. METHOD: This review utilises Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework for scoping reviews and draws on the recommended enhancements of this framework to promote a team-based and mixed methods approach. This includes searching electronic databases and screening papers based on a pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data relevant to the research aims will be extracted from included papers, including the clinical/professional area of the topic, the source of data that was used, and whether it addresses elements of social justice. All screening and reviewing will be collaborative and iterative, drawing on strengths of the research team and responsive changes to challenges will be made. Quantitative data will be analysed descriptively, and conceptual content analysis will be utilised to understand qualitative data. These will be collectively synthesised in alignment to the research aims. CONCLUSION: Our findings will highlight the extent to which such research is being conducted and published, including gaps and make recommendations for future endeavours for real-world data studies. The findings from this scoping review will be relevant for practitioners and researchers, as well as health service managers, commissioners, and research funders.

Amplifying the voices of underrepresented speech-language pathologists: A scoping review using the transformative research paradigm.

PURPOSE: To investigate the characteristics of studies that included underrepresented speech-language pathologists (SLPs) as research participants. METHOD: A scoping review was conducted using the principles of the transformative research paradigm, which promotes the meaningful involvement and empowerment of marginalised groups. Co-production with minority SLPs was facilitated. The search strategy was run in six databases, and the transformative checklist used for analysis. RESULT: Twenty studies were included. Bilingual and male SLPs were among the most commonly included underrepresented SLPs. Most studies were conducted in the USA (n = 16), and used survey methods. The studies provided valuable insights into the experiences and practices of underrepresented SLPs, and yielded practical solutions to foster inclusion and diversity in the profession. Most studies demonstrated a transformative potential, but the active engagement of underrepresented SLP participants in the research cycle was rarely demonstrated. CONCLUSION: This review calls for a shift in how and why research is conducted when including underrepresented SLP participants. Through the lens of the transformative research paradigm, we can rethink the broader aim of research and the role of researchers and participants. Using research as a platform to give visibility, voice, and agency to minority groups can stimulate change and equity in the profession.