The impact of digital surgery scheduling systems on the quality of pre-operative care: a systematic review protocol
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Introduction Ineffective surgery scheduling fails to align demand with need, resulting in financial waste, resource inefficiencies and delays in care, which ultimately lead to poorer patient outcomes. Digital systems present a promising approach to optimising scheduling. However, research examining their impact remains limited. This planned systematic review aims to evaluate the effects of digital surgery scheduling systems on the quality of preoperative care.
Methods and analysis A systematic review will be undertaken using Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, HMIC and PsycINFO (from inception to the present). The outcomes under investigation include the domains of quality of care (eg, patient-centredness, safety, effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness of care and equity). Two independent reviewers will screen and extract data, resolving any disagreements through discussion. Once eligible studies are identified, the extracted data will be summarised in a table. The risk of bias in the articles will be evaluated using the appropriate National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute quality qssessment tool, depending on the study design. A subgroup analysis will be carried out using demographic variables supported by the data. A narrative synthesis and a meta-analysis will be performed, to quantify the impact of digital surgery scheduling tools on reported outcomes.
Ethics and dissemination This proposed review aims to collate and summarise peer-reviewed, published evidence, and therefore, does not require ethical approval. This protocol and the subsequent review will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals, at conferences and through patient-led lay summaries. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024625469.
Methods and analysis A systematic review will be undertaken using Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, HMIC and PsycINFO (from inception to the present). The outcomes under investigation include the domains of quality of care (eg, patient-centredness, safety, effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness of care and equity). Two independent reviewers will screen and extract data, resolving any disagreements through discussion. Once eligible studies are identified, the extracted data will be summarised in a table. The risk of bias in the articles will be evaluated using the appropriate National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute quality qssessment tool, depending on the study design. A subgroup analysis will be carried out using demographic variables supported by the data. A narrative synthesis and a meta-analysis will be performed, to quantify the impact of digital surgery scheduling tools on reported outcomes.
Ethics and dissemination This proposed review aims to collate and summarise peer-reviewed, published evidence, and therefore, does not require ethical approval. This protocol and the subsequent review will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals, at conferences and through patient-led lay summaries. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024625469.
Date Issued
2025-07-01
Date Acceptance
2025-06-27
Citation
BMJ Open, 2025, 15 (7)
ISSN
2044-6055
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Journal / Book Title
BMJ Open
Volume
15
Issue
7
Copyright Statement
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2025. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ Group.
License URL
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
e102034
Date Publish Online
2025-07-16