Leptospirosis is a significant public health concern worldwide, as it imposes a substantial economic burden on the global economy. Despite a comprehensive search of the relevant literature, few studies evaluating the economic burden experienced by leptospirosis patients were identified. In particular, very few studies thoroughly examined the cost components, including direct, indirect and intangible costs. This paucity of evidence further motivates the need to conduct a more focused search using a systematic review approach. Thus, this study aims to systematically review the global literature on the magnitude and aspects of the direct, indirect and intangible costs incurred by leptospirosis patients and the methods available for assessing these costs.
This review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols 2015 guidelines. The Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, Study Design framework was used to develop the review questions. The search strategy will comprise two key term blocks: ‘Leptospirosis’ and ‘Economic cost’. A comprehensive literature search will be conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, MEDLINE, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, EconStor and IDEAS to collect publications from inception to July 2025. The search will be limited only to English-language and peer-reviewed publications. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool will be used to assess the quality of eligible studies. Extracted cost data will be categorised into direct, indirect and intangible costs. A meta-analysis will be conducted to quantify the magnitude of these costs if sufficient methodological and contextual homogeneity exists. Moreover, a narrative synthesis will be performed to analyse the qualitative data related to intangible costs.
As this study will use secondary data, ethical approval is not required. The systematic review’s findings will be published in a scientific journal and presented at relevant conferences to address the knowledge gap regarding the economic burden (including direct, indirect and intangible costs) faced by leptospirosis patients. The results of this systematic review will guide policies for prioritising prevention, improving surveillance and efficiently allocating resources to control leptospirosis.
PROSPERO CRD 42024585056.
To explore how Early Career Nurses perceive their preparedness for nursing practice, the teaching and learning experiences, and the role of professional experience placements on their professional development.
A qualitative study using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach.
The study involved 25 Early Career Nurses who participated in follow-up interviews 4 years post-graduation in Australia between 2022 and 2024. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using Thematic Analysis.
Three key themes emerged: gaps in preparedness, the power of being embedded and too many balls to juggle. Participants indicated a mixed sense of preparedness with significant gaps in clinical skills. They emphasised the critical role of professional experience placements and mentorship to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Placements and mentorship opportunities were considered essential to develop confidence and competence for effective nursing practice.
The study highlights the necessity for nursing curricula to address significant gaps in clinical skills, particularly in surgical and emergency nursing. By incorporating more simulation-based learning, interprofessional education and robust mentorship programmes, nursing education can better prepare graduates for the realities of clinical practice. These enhancements will help ease the transition from academic training to clinical practice, reducing reality shock and fostering a more confident, competent and resilient nursing workforce.
Nursing education must integrate more simulation-based learning and interprofessional education opportunities, which are crucial for bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring that graduates are adequately prepared for the demands of clinical practice. Additionally, professional experience placements and mentorship should be prioritised to develop the confidence and competence for effective nursing practice.
This study adheres to the Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines.
No Patient or Public Contribution.