A scoping review protocol: Investigating the extent and legal process of cauda equina syndrome claims for UK physiotherapists

Abstract

Introduction: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a condition where early identification and treatment is crucial to avoid potentially devastating effects. There is a high number of litigation cases linked with CES given it is a relatively rare condition. This scoping review protocol proposes to explore the extent and process of CES litigation in UK healthcare context cases amongst UK physiotherapists. Methods and analysis:The methodological framework recommended by Arksey and O'Malley, Levac et al. and the Joanna Briggs Institute will be used throughout this review to aid reporting and transparency. A patient and public involvement (PPI) group meeting was convened at the beginning of the review process in order to provide knowledge exchange to inform the search strategy and propose resources to be used during the scoping review. Two reviewers will independently review the literature in order to apply the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Once the studies to be included have been identified, the data from these studies will be extracted and charted. Results will show quantitative data of the studies included in the review and a narrative synthesis of the literature.Dissemination: This scoping review will evaluate the existing knowledge relating to CES and litigation and will map the key concepts around this topic. Results will be disseminated to practitioners and policy-makers through peer-reviewed publications, conferences, reports and social media. This method may prove helpful to others who are investigating extent and processes relating to medicolegal cases involving healthcare practitioners.

Medico-legal litigation of UK physiotherapists in relation to cauda equina syndrome: a multimethods study

“…A modified six-stage framework was followed for the scoping review 11. Further detail on the methods can be found in the study protocol 12. A total of n=1639 records were identified, following removal of duplicates and screening of titles and abstracts n=211 full-text records were screened and n=39 were included for full analysis 10…”

A scoping review: Investigating the extent and legal process of cauda equina syndrome claims for UK physiotherapists

“…The search strategy was informed by the CFG and further refined by the research team. The Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Medline databases were searched using the search strategy detailed in the protocol (Leech et al, 2021). The search was undertaken on 14 th January 2021 and databases were searched from inception.…”

“…There was concordance of 100% between the two reviewers. Full text records that met the inclusion criteria were included (Leech et al, 2021).…”

“…Using the methods stated in the protocol (Leech et al, 2021) key concepts were mapped, current research findings summarised and gaps in the literature identified.…”

“…Scoping reviews typically map a wide range of literature from various sources to identify key concepts (Levac, Colquhoun and O'Brien, 2010). The framework by Arksey and O'Malley (2005) was adopted as per our protocol (Leech et al, 2021). The following provides a summary of each stage.…”