Despite the urgent need for support interventions for families facing parental life-threatening illness, research is limited – particularly in progressive neurological diseases. This scoping review aimed to systematically map existing interventions to inform the development of tailored support in the neurological context.

A scoping review was conducted, including articles published between 2013 and 2025, identified through searches in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science, along with manual screening of reference lists. Extracted data were systematically charted and descriptively summarized.

Of 5172 articles, 15 were included, describing 6 unique interventions aimed at supporting children (0–25 years) and/or parents in families where a parent had a life-threatening illness. While cancer was the predominant diagnosis among ill parents, progressive neurological diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Huntington’s disease, were represented to a limited extent. The interventions targeted children (n = 4), parents in their parenting role (n = 4), or the entire family (n = 7) and were primarily based on psychosocial, psychoeducational, or peer support. Overall, the interventions were positively received by both children and parents and perceived as helpful in navigating their challenging life situations in various ways.

This review confirms a particular lack of knowledge and tailored support for families affected by progressive neurological diseases. While support interventions for other life-threatening illnesses are also limited, those that exist may offer valuable insights to inform the development of support within neurological care contexts. The findings underscore the need for early, proactive, and accessible approaches that address both individual and family needs across the disease trajectory, aligning with core principles of high-quality palliative care.

The rapid evolution of digital health technologies (DHTs) presents distinct challenges for health technology assessment (HTA). Existing HTA frameworks, largely designed for conventional health interventions, may not sufficiently address these unique complexities. This scoping review provides an overview of existing assessment frameworks for DHTs, analyzing their purpose and the guidance they offer within the domains of the EUnetHTA Core Model.

The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The literature was identified through searches in PubMed and Embase, covering publications from 2015 to 2024 in English or German, and was complemented by a manual hand search. The studies were screened and analyzed using Covidence, with data categorized inductively based on the EUnetHTA Core Model domains.

Of 3,576 screened records, 15 met inclusion criteria; an additional 45 frameworks were identified through hand searching, resulting in a total of 60 frameworks. Most frameworks focused on digital health applications (68 percent), while only a few addressed technologies such as artificial intelligence (2 percent). The frameworks primarily provide guidance on assessment, with varying focus on evidence requirements. The domains of the EUnetHTA Core Model were variably represented across the frameworks. Technical characteristics were most frequently addressed, while ethical, legal, and organizational domains received limited attention.

This review highlights the diversity of existing frameworks for DHT assessment. This emphasizes the potential relevance of a future standardized framework that contains explanations of the methodological approach to the assessment of DHTs and is modularly customizable depending on the type of technology.

This study aimed to examine how food processing is addressed within indices/tools used to assess healthy and sustainable diets.

A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR protocol. Peer-reviewed studies developing or applying indices/tools for assessing sustainable diets were included. Two independent reviewers performed the selection, with disagreements resolved by discussion, and, when necessary, a third reviewer was consulted to reach a consensus.

The review included studies published in English, Portuguese or Spanish, without time restrictions and indexed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and SciELO databases.

A total of fifty-seven studies about sustainable diets were analysed.

Most studies showed significant gaps in addressing food processing and other food system components when assessing sustainable diets. The majority of studies were conducted in recent years and primarily in high-income countries, and while environmental and health dimensions of sustainability are widely explored, economic and sociocultural dimensions remain underrepresented.

The assessment of diet sustainability remains incomplete without accounting for the role of food processing and the broader food system. There is a need for comprehensive methodologies that integrate all sustainability dimensions while also considering local contexts, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent worry and physical symptoms, with prevalence estimates ranging from 0.8% to 8%. Researchers utilize various tools, such as standardized diagnostic interviews and self-report questionnaires, to estimate GAD prevalence in population-level studies. However, the diagnostic accuracy of these tools varies greatly. This scoping review aimed to identify the tools used for GAD prevalence estimation and assess the extent to which diagnostic tool accuracy is reported.

A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO using MeSH terms and keywords related to GAD prevalence. No date restrictions were applied. Studies were eligible if they used nationally or regionally representative samples and defined GAD based on DSM-5, ICD-11 or older case definitions. Studies focusing solely on specific sub-groups were excluded. Data extraction included study characteristics, diagnostic tools and reporting of test accuracy.

A total of 537 studies were initially identified, with 48 meeting inclusion criteria, published between 1994 and 2024. Most studies were conducted in Europe (43.75%) and employed cross-sectional designs (92%). Structured diagnostic interviews were the most commonly used tool (77.08%), although self-report questionnaires gained popularity after 2005. Among the included studies, 62.5% reported test accuracy, often addressing validity and reliability.

Despite the widespread use of diagnostic tools in prevalence studies, test accuracy is not consistently reported, which may impact the reliability of prevalence estimates. The variability in agreement between self-report questionnaires and structured diagnostic interviews highlights the need for transparent reporting of test characteristics to improve the validity of GAD prevalence assessments across populations.

Early in the SARS–CoV-2 pandemic, most jurisdictions implemented mandatory face covering policies across healthcare settings. This intervention, which lasted multiple years, was unprecedented in psychiatry. Masks may affect the delivery of mental healthcare, given its reliance on nuanced communication and establishing a therapeutic alliance.

This scoping review aimed to provide an overview of the current literature concerning the impact of face masks in mental health settings beyond infection control and identify research gaps to guide future research and policy.

Systematic searches were completed in the MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus and CINAHL databases on 14 August 2024. Articles were eligible if they described peer-reviewed empirical studies involving people with mental disorders or mental health clinicians that reported on impacts of face coverings.

Twenty-eight studies were selected for inclusion, involving 5385 participants. There was considerable heterogeneity among studies. Negative effects of face masks were reported in 26 studies in at least one domain. Themes from the survey-based literature included face masks negatively affecting communication, the therapeutic relationship and overall assessment quality. Experimental studies using emotion recognition tasks showed that people with mental disorders were disadvantaged by masks when interpreting emotions from facial expressions. The most commonly studied population was people with autism spectrum disorder. Children and people with severe or acute mental illness were underrepresented. Only two studies expressly recruited psychiatrists.

Policy makers should be aware of adverse impacts of mask-wearing in mental health settings and consider these in evolving risk–benefit analyses. Further research is needed to establish the extent of impacts on population subgroups.

Access to quality healthcare is often limited in rural and underserved areas, leading to higher rates of preventable diseases, avoidable hospitalizations, and mortality. Virtual health clinics, utilizing telehealth and telemedicine technologies, offer a promising solution to bridge these gaps. This scoping review aimed to systematically identify and analyze the benefits, outcomes, and service range of virtual clinics in remote and underserved settings.

This scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O’Malley’s six-stage framework. Relevant literature was searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google, and Google Scholar. Data were extracted using a standardized charting form and thematically analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s method with MAXQDA software.

A total of 38 benefits of virtual clinics were identified, primarily related to improved access to health services, reduced costs, and decreased patient travel. In the domain of governance and leadership, enhanced governmental support and optimal resource allocation were reported. For human resources, improved communication and training were emphasized. Moreover, the use of local technologies, remote medication ordering, and digital record-keeping demonstrated a significant impact, particularly in middle- and high-income countries.

Virtual clinics can effectively enhance the quality and accessibility of health services in underserved areas and play an important role in reducing health inequities.

To map the scope, methods and focus areas of qualitative research in paediatric otolaryngology.

A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-compliant systematic mapping review searched MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL and PsycInfo (August 2025) for qualitative or mixed-methods studies with a qualitative component related to paediatric otolaryngology. Two reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria. Key study characteristics were extracted; no formal risk-of-bias assessment was performed, in line with the aims of a mapping review.

Eighty-nine studies were included. Publications rose sharply after 2015, with nearly three-quarters from the USA, Canada and the UK. Otology (49 per cent) and laryngology (40 per cent) predominated; common topics were hearing loss, tonsillectomy and tracheostomy. Interviews, mainly semi-structured (73 per cent), were the dominant method, and caregivers were the most frequent participants (62 per cent).

Qualitative research in paediatric otolaryngology is growing but remains geographically and methodologically narrow. Broader stakeholder inclusion and methodological diversity are needed to deepen understanding and support patient-centred care.

Despite growing front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) policy implementation in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC), research approaches for evaluating these policies remain poorly characterized, hindering evidence-based policy development and methodological gaps. This study explored research approaches, frameworks, and methods used in assessing FOPL policy implementation and response in LMIC.

Systematic search of five databases, including Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Global Health, and CINAHL, for peer-reviewed articles published between 2014–2025. Studies on FOPL policy implementation or response in LMIC were included. Data on study characteristics, methods, and findings were extracted and synthesized.

LMIC.

All populations.

Thirty-one studies revealed significant research imbalances. Implementation studies (n 3) used qualitative approaches with policy theories, while response studies (n 28) predominantly employed quantitative methods including surveys, experiments, and modeling. Pronounced geographical bias emerged, with 24 studies conducted in Latin America while other LMIC regions remained underrepresented. Common limitations included non-representative sampling, self-reported data, and short timeframes. Mandatory FOPL policies achieved higher compliance than voluntary schemes, though implementation faced challenges including inadequate monitoring, limited resources, and industry resistance. Consumer awareness was generally high but varied significantly across population groups, revealing substantial equity gaps.

This review reveals critical gaps in FOPL implementation research in LMIC, with evidence heavily skewed toward consumer responses and geographically concentrated in Latin America. Future research should prioritize implementation science approaches, geographical diversity, and understanding policy processes in resource-constrained settings to develop effective, context-appropriate FOPL policies.