Les approches de synthèse exploratoire dans le domaine de la santé
Background: There is currently no consensus on the way scoping studies should be named, defined and oriented. There is also insufficient methodological description on the way they should be conducted. Objective: The objectives of this scoping study are: 1) to describe the extent, range and health domains in which scoping studies were conducted; 2) to examine their definitions, purposes, strengths and weaknesses; and 3) to identify the methodological approaches currently in use. Methods: A systematic search of scoping studies was undertaken until April 2014 in Medline, PubMed, ERIC, PsycINFO, CINAHL, EMBASE, EBM Reviews / Cochrane. Criteria for inclusion and exclusion were applied to select French and English language studies including definitions, methods and knowledge gaps of scoping studies as well as comparisons with other types of literature reviews. Two reviewers examined relevant references independently. A data extraction grid was designed to collect data for each study: contextual data, methodological steps and the definitions, objectives and limits of the exploratory synthesis. Data was identified and classified to obtain an overall picture of scoping studies in narrative and tabular format.  Results: From two hundred and fifty-two identified references, ninety-two relevant references were retained.  Scoping studies were published in 73 journals in 10 health domains of study by 6 countries.  They are intended to be at the same time a support to knowledge, a support for decision-making and a prerequisite for a systematic literature review. Five authors have been referenced and eight others have published on their methodology. Most include three important steps including the literature review, consultation with stakeholders and the overall synthesis with or without validation of results. The scoping studies that we reviewed use a systematic approach, although not always exhaustive, and without formal evaluation of the studies they included. Clear concepts on their definition, goals, strengths and weaknesses were identified. Conclusion: We suggest that further studies should undertake the task of better establishing this research approach as well as clear guidelines for researchers interested in conducting scoping studies.
Scoping study Scoping review Health Study review Methodological review