A systematic review of interventions to link families with pre-school children from healthcare services to community-based support

Burns, J., Conway, D. I. , Gnich, W. and Macpherson, L. M.D. (2021) A systematic review of interventions to link families with pre-school children from healthcare services to community-based support. Journal of Public Health, 43(2), e224-e235. (doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdaa242) (PMID:33423052)

Abstract

Background: Supporting patients to access community-based support may be a key intervention to address the wider determinants of health. There is a lack of evidence synthesis around the most effective methods for linking individuals from health services to organizations within communities, especially those aimed at supporting families with young children. Methods: Papers were identified from seven databases covering peer-reviewed and grey literature. The Effective Public Health Practice Project and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative quality appraisal tools were used to assess methodological quality. Thematic narrative data synthesis based on study quality was performed. Results: Twenty-four unique publications were included in the review with a range of study designs and variable methodological quality. A broad typology of intervention processes for undertaking linking was developed defining three distinct approaches: signposting, referral and facilitation. Active processes, such as facilitation, appeared more successful at linking families to community support. Conclusions: This was the first systematic review to focus on interventions that link families with young children to community-based support organizations. It identified a typology for linking interventions, and whilst there were limitations in the quality of evidence available, it showed a tendency for more active interventions to be more effective in linking families to community support.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the Scottish Government as part of their funding of the evaluation programme of the Childsmile programme (Scottish Government Health Directorate—Evaluation of National Oral Health Improvement Programmes, 2016–2019).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gnich, Dr Wendy and Macpherson, Professor Lorna and Conway, Professor David
• Authors: Burns, J., Conway, D. I., Gnich, W., and Macpherson, L. M.D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
• Journal Name: Journal of Public Health
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 1741-3842
• ISSN (Online): 1741-3850
• Published Online: 11 January 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Public Health 43(2): e224-e235
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy