AIM:To explore and map the landscape of doctoral nursing research across eight countries. DESIGN:A scoping review. METHODS:This review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and included doctoral theses in nursing defended between 2020 and 2023 in Austria, Italy, Israel, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and the United Kingdom. DATA SOURCES:Searches were conducted across 15 national and university repositories (4 national, 11 university) in the eight participating countries. RESULTS:This review included 431 doctoral nursing theses, the majority of which employed quantitative methodologies and focused on patient populations and healthcare professionals. Key topics included clinical nursing care, quality of care, quality of life, home care, perinatal care and the work environments. CONCLUSION:Nursing doctoral research shows progress in healthcare delivery, patient care and education via digital tools, holistic approaches and professional development. Yet gaps persist in mental health, paediatrics and marginalised groups. Limited qualitative/mixed-methods research and weak interdisciplinary collaboration reveal further opportunities. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE:This review underscores that nursing doctoral research is addressing major healthcare and professional challenges. Nonetheless, the identified gaps emphasise the need for more comprehensive and inclusive research to enhance equity and guide future nursing practices and policies. IMPACT:This review provides an overview of the scope of doctoral nursing research across eight countries, identifying key trends and research gaps. The findings are expected to inform nursing academia, policymakers, and healthcare professionals by guiding future research priorities, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and promoting equitable, patient-centred care practices. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION:No direct involvement in data collection; one lay reviewer gave feedback on readability and practice implications, informing minor refinements.
This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to compare outcomes after stapled and hand-sewn colorectal anastomoses. The study was undertaken because complication patterns, such as anastomotic leak, surgical site infection (SSI), length of stay (LOS), and mortality, remain debated and may vary by technique. The objective was to evaluate whether either method showed a clear advantage across early and late outcomes. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature), and Google Scholar was completed for studies published from January 2015 to June 2025. Only observational studies that compared stapled with hand-sewn anastomosis and reported at least three clinical outcomes were included. The review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Although the review focused primarily on colorectal procedures, select small-bowel cohorts were included when outcomes were reported separately by technique. Six observational studies met eligibility criteria. Random-effects modelling was planned, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, although limited numerical reporting in the source studies restricted full quantitative synthesis. Across studies, anastomotic leak, SSI, LOS, and mortality appeared similar between stapled and hand-sewn groups, and no consistent statistical advantage was described for either method. Stapled anastomosis often required less operative time, although this did not appear to change complication rates. Study heterogeneity was influenced by differences in surgical context, such as elective, emergency, or Crohn disease cases, yet sensitivity assessment suggested that these variations did not alter the overall direction of findings. The evidence suggests that both techniques remain safe options when used appropriately, though stronger conclusions would require more detailed and standardized outcome reporting.
BACKGROUND:In the postpartum period, fertility and sexual activity can return rapidly, placing women at risk of unintended pregnancy within the first 12 months following delivery. Unintended pregnancies during this period, particularly with short interpregnancy intervals, are associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Postnatal contraception (PNC) counselling is often inconsistent, and gaps exist in both patient and provider knowledge and practices. OBJECTIVE:The objective of this study is to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare professionals and postnatal women regarding PNC and to evaluate the termination of pregnancy (TOP) clinic to review women seeking termination within 12 months of delivery in a UK district general hospital. METHODS:A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey of healthcare professionals and postnatal women was conducted between September 2024 and December 2024. In parallel, a retrospective study of women undergoing TOP between December 2023 and November 2024 was performed using electronic medical records. Quantitative survey data were analysed descriptively, and free-text responses were thematically analysed. RESULTS:Fifty-seven healthcare professionals (73.7% midwives (n= 42/57), 26.3% (n= 15/57) doctors) and 60 postnatal women participated. All staff acknowledged the importance of PNC counselling, but midwives were more likely than doctors to view it as part of their role (83.3% (n= 35/42) vs 40% (n= 6/15)). Knowledge of early return of fertility was limited (26.6% (n= 4/15) of doctors; 7.1% (n= 3/42) of midwives). Common barriers included time constraints and workload, and most staff expressed interest in further training (92.8% (n= 39/42) of midwives; 80% (n= 12/15) of doctors), preferring online modules 58% (n= 33/57) or face-to-face sessions 28% (n= 16/57). Among women, 53.4% (n= 32/60) were multiparous, 43.3% (n= 26/60) reported the recent pregnancy as unplanned, only 26.6% discussed PNC postnatally, mostly verbally, and awareness of fertility returning as early as three weeks postpartum was low (13.3%; n= 8/60). The audit showed that 15.4% (n= 29 of 188) women underwent TOP within 12 months of delivery, indicating that approximately one in five women experienced unintended pregnancies shortly after childbirth. CONCLUSION:Significant gaps exist in knowledge and counselling practices regarding PNC among both healthcare professionals and women. The findings underscore the need for systematic staff training and structured counselling pathways to improve timely uptake of contraception, reduce short interpregnancy intervals, and prevent unintended postpartum pregnancies.
