Research and innovation are essential for advancing clinical practice and safeguarding patient safety in healthcare. This review aims to assess the research capacity of Advanced Practice Nurses in Australian healthcare settings. By identifying the barriers and enablers to, the findings aim to inspire research engagement of paediatric nurses.
A rapid review methodology was used to systematically identify, appraise and synthesise data relevant to Advanced Practice Nurses' research capacity.
A comprehensive search of Ovid Medline and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases was conducted, covering publications from 1 July 2010 to May 2024. Additional reference checks and grey literature searches were undertaken to identify relevant studies.
Data extraction and quality appraisal were conducted independently and checked by the research team. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used for quality assessment and a descriptive narrative synthesis approach integrated findings across qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies.
Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings revealed that while Advanced Practice Nurses value research and evidence-based practice, barriers—such as time constraints, limited resources, and lack of organisational support—restricted their engagement. Leadership support and structured mentorship were identified as critical enablers of research capacity.
This review highlights the need for targeted strategies to enhance Advanced Practice Nurses' research capacity within Australian healthcare. Addressing identified barriers and fostering a supportive environment can empower Advanced Practice Nurses to better utilise their roles, contributing to improved patient care and healthcare innovation.
This research addresses the limited understanding of research capacity among Advanced Practice Nurses identifying challenges and opportunities for engagement. It is particularly relevant for healthcare organisations, policymakers, and educational institutions seeking to strengthen research capacity among APN roles. Findings will inform evidence-based practice, patient outcomes, and research culture in Australian healthcare services.
International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) registration number: CRD42024539163
To identify adverse outcomes and factors associated with diabetes mellitus among children and youths in East Africa.
This review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
No date restrictions were applied to searches of the Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library databases and Google Scholar. The review identified and included literature published between 2007 and 2024.
Independent reviewers conducted study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment. Data were organised in Microsoft Excel, detailing study characteristics, demographics, exposures, and outcomes. Narrative synthesis summarised the data, while meta-analysis yielded pooled proportions.
From 3797 publications, 30 studies involving 6109 children and youths with type 1 diabetes were included. Findings revealed that between 39.3% and 99% did not achieve target glycaemic levels. Diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis ranged from 35.8% to 78.7%. Pooled estimates indicated mortality in 6.47%, nephropathy in 15.66%, and retinopathy in 27.49% of the cases. Other complications included decreased health-related quality of life, lipodystrophy, psychiatric disorders, and stunting.
This review highlights the need for context-specific, personalised diabetes care for children and youths in East Africa. It underscores the need for healthcare professionals, particularly nurse diabetes educators, to provide personalised, holistic care and education. Policies that strengthen health systems, expand health insurance, and improve access to care are critical priorities to improve outcomes for these populations.
This study provides new information on diabetes-related complications and management challenges among children and youths in East Africa. Findings flag the urgent need for integrated care, standardised diagnostic criteria, and improved access to resources, with implications for healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers to enhance health outcomes and quality of life.
This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct, or reporting.