Article type
Abstract
"Background
A research gap is a missing or unexplored area of knowledge in a field of study that can be addressed by new research. Evidence synthesis methods provide a unique opportunity to identify research gaps. We report on a review requested by Welsh Government to support a suicide prevention strategy objective that identified such a gap. The review aimed to identify evidence for the effectiveness of interventions to support children and young people (CYP) bereaved by suicide.
Objectives
•To present results from a rapid review on effectiveness of interventions to support CYP up to the age of 24 years bereaved by suicide.
•To describe methods used for identifying research gaps for funding bodies.
Methods
A comprehensive search was carried out in 8 databases and over 30 Grey literature websites. Two reviewers independently carried out study selection. Quality appraisal and data extraction was carried out by one reviewer and checked for accuracy by another. A narrative approach was used to synthesise the evidence. The review was coproduced with stakeholders, including patients, caregivers and the public.
Results
The search identified 541 records, of which 3 studies met the inclusion criteria. All 3 studies reported on group therapy interventions lasting between 10 and 14 weeks. The participants in the included studies were from a mixed age range between 6-15. It is difficult to draw firm conclusions due to the small sample size and low-quality evidence. The research gap was articulated and refined with the stakeholders and submitted to National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) as a priority future research question.
Conclusions
Research gaps prevent researchers from making conclusions and limit the ability to make informed health care decisions. CYP whose family member died by suicide are a vulnerable and underserved population. Further research is required to develop interventions and additional research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of planned interventions. Rapid reviews with rigorous methods can capture evidence gaps and inform research priorities to ensure that research funded has the greatest potential public health benefit.
"
A research gap is a missing or unexplored area of knowledge in a field of study that can be addressed by new research. Evidence synthesis methods provide a unique opportunity to identify research gaps. We report on a review requested by Welsh Government to support a suicide prevention strategy objective that identified such a gap. The review aimed to identify evidence for the effectiveness of interventions to support children and young people (CYP) bereaved by suicide.
Objectives
•To present results from a rapid review on effectiveness of interventions to support CYP up to the age of 24 years bereaved by suicide.
•To describe methods used for identifying research gaps for funding bodies.
Methods
A comprehensive search was carried out in 8 databases and over 30 Grey literature websites. Two reviewers independently carried out study selection. Quality appraisal and data extraction was carried out by one reviewer and checked for accuracy by another. A narrative approach was used to synthesise the evidence. The review was coproduced with stakeholders, including patients, caregivers and the public.
Results
The search identified 541 records, of which 3 studies met the inclusion criteria. All 3 studies reported on group therapy interventions lasting between 10 and 14 weeks. The participants in the included studies were from a mixed age range between 6-15. It is difficult to draw firm conclusions due to the small sample size and low-quality evidence. The research gap was articulated and refined with the stakeholders and submitted to National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) as a priority future research question.
Conclusions
Research gaps prevent researchers from making conclusions and limit the ability to make informed health care decisions. CYP whose family member died by suicide are a vulnerable and underserved population. Further research is required to develop interventions and additional research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of planned interventions. Rapid reviews with rigorous methods can capture evidence gaps and inform research priorities to ensure that research funded has the greatest potential public health benefit.
"