Pediatric ambulatory care service delivery models: A scoping review protocol

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this review is to identify and characterize models of ambulatory care for pediatric patients.

Introduction: Ambulatory care services have seen significant growth over the years and an increase in the complexity of outpatients. Collaborative care models are needed to address the complexity of pediatric ambulatory patients and increasing demand on ambulatory care resources. Efforts are needed to better understand the literature on ambulatory care models, including how best to structure and deliver ambulatory care services in an integrated, collaborative approach to promote optimal patient- and family-centred care.

Inclusion criteria: This scoping review will consider studies focused on models of ambulatory care, service delivery models, or staffing models aimed at integrating and delivering ambulatory care for pediatric patients. All illness presentations for the pediatric population will be included. Studies that focus on emergency and perioperative care services and ambulatory care clinics that function in siloes will be excluded.

Methods: A search will be conducted in four databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science) and multiple sources of grey literature. No date limit will be set. Titles and abstracts will be screened by two independent reviewers for assessment against the inclusion criteria. All potentially relevant papers will be retrieved in full and screened against the inclusion criteria. A pre-defined data extraction tool developed by the reviewers will be used. Extracted data will be presented in tabular form with an accompanying graphic and narrative summary.