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Identifying Common Patient-Oriented Priorities for Child and Adolescent Health Research and Care: A Systematic Review
Jenna S Jessa1,2,3, Muning Linda Zhang4, Justin Bonhomme1
1Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
Insights
James Lind Alliance (JLA) Priority Setting Partnerships (PSPs) identified 18 common themes across 42 child health research priorities. This synthesis guides future investment in child and youth health research.
Area of Science:
- Child Health Research
- Priority Setting Partnerships
- Systematic Reviews
Background:
- James Lind Alliance (JLA) Priority Setting Partnerships (PSPs) engage patients, clinicians, and carers to identify key health research questions.
- Incorporating diverse perspectives in PSPs is crucial for directing child health investments.
- This study focuses on priorities identified through JLA PSPs in child health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore and synthesize the top priority areas identified in JLA PSPs across various child health conditions.
- To identify common themes and areas of interest in child health research through a systematic review of PSPs.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review was conducted, searching databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, APA PsycINFO) and grey literature up to August 1, 2023.
- Included studies were English-language articles using or adapting JLA PSP methodology, focusing on child and youth health, development, and well-being.
- Thematic synthesis was employed to analyze common themes within the top 10 priority lists from identified PSPs.
Main Results:
- The review identified 42 unique JLA PSPs focused on child and youth health published since 2010.
- A total of 578 priorities were analyzed from the top 10 lists of these PSPs.
- Eighteen common themes emerged across the diverse range of child health topics, including general well-being, mental health, and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Conclusions:
- The findings offer an overview of JLA PSPs and highlight prevalent areas of interest in child health research.
- This synthesis can inform health research funding, enhance health system responsiveness, and guide policymakers for improved child and youth health outcomes.
- Patient and public involvement was integral throughout the review process, from conception to co-authorship.
Context:
James Lind Alliance (JLA) Priority Setting Partnerships (PSPs) bring together patients, clinicians and carers (e.g., parents, guardians or family members) to identify the most important questions in specific areas of health research. The inclusion of diverse perspectives in PSPs can inform priority-guided investment in child health.
Objective:
The objective of this study is to explore top priority areas identified in JLA PSPs across a range of child health conditions.
Evidence Review:
This systematic review was designed to capture JLA PSPs conducted on health topics relevant to children and youth. Database searches were run in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase and APA PsycINFO, and a grey literature search was conducted on the JLA's official website for reports published up to 1 August 2023. English-language articles adhering to, or adapting from, the JLA PSP methodology were eligible for inclusion if they focused on child and youth health, development and well-being. A thematic synthesis was conducted to explore common themes amongst all the top 10 lists.
Main Results:
The systematic review identified 42 unique PSPs focused on child and youth health published from 2010 onwards. A total of 578 priorities were analysed across the top 10 priority lists. While the identified PSPs were conducted over a broad range of child health topic areas (e.g., general well-being, mental health, neurodevelopmental, and acute and chronic conditions), 18 common themes were identified across the top 10 priority lists.
Conclusions And Relevance:
Our findings provide an overview of the JLA PSP process and common areas of interest in child health research. This study can guide health research funding, health system responsiveness and policymakers' actions for widescale improvement in child and youth health.
Patient Or Public Contribution:
A person with lived experience who is also an expert in patient partnership and has been involved in multiple JLA PSPs was engaged as a compensated member of the project team. They were involved in the initial idea for the review, the design of the review question and methodology, the analysis and interpretation of the review findings, and co-authorship of the manuscript.
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