title: Engaging patients and families in communication across transitions of care: an integrative review protocol.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe an integrative review protocol to analyse and synthesize peer-reviewed research evidence in relation to engagement of patients and their families in communication during transitions of care to, in and from acute care settings.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Communication at transitions of care in acute care settings can be complex and challenging, with important information about patients not always clearly transferred between responsible healthcare providers. Involving patients and their families in communication during transitions of care may improve the transfer of clinical information and patient outcomes and prevent adverse events during hospitalization and following discharge. Recently, optimizing patient and family participation during care transitions has been acknowledged as central to the implementation of patient-centred care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Integrative review with potential for meta-analysis and application of framework synthesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The review will evaluate and synthesize qualitative and quantitative research evidence identified through a systematic search. Primary studies will be selected according to inclusion criteria. Data collection, quality appraisal and analysis of the evidence will be conducted by at least two authors. Nine electronic databases (including CINAHL and Medline) will be searched. The search will be restricted to 10 years up to December 2013. Data analysis will include content and thematic analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The review will seek to identify all types of patient engagement activities employed during transitions of care communication. The review will identify enablers for and barriers to engagement for patients, families and health professionals. Key strategies and tools for improving patient engagement, clinical communication and promoting patient-centred care will be recommended based on findings.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. TraceyBucknall@nursedecisions.|Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. TraceyBucknall@nursedecisions.
authors.forename: Tracey K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Bucknall
authors.affiliation: Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.|Centre for Nursing Research - Deakin University and Monash Health Partnership, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Alison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.|Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Botti
authors.affiliation: Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McTier
authors.affiliation: Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.|Centre for Nursing Research - Deakin University and Monash Health Partnership, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rawson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.|Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Nicky A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Hewitt
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University and Menzies Health Institute, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McMurray
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery and National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Nursing Interventions for Hospitalised Patients, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrea P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery and National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Nursing Interventions for Hospitalised Patients, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Brigid M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Gillespie
authors.affiliation: National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Nursing Interventions for Hospitalised Patients, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chaboyer
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010358:Patient Participation; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D012196:Review Literature as Topic
keywords: acute care; clinical decision-making; communication; integrative review; nursing; patient engagement; patient-centred care; transitions of care