Use of measurement instruments to assess the workload of nurses in neonatal units: a scoping review protocol

Abstract Introduction: This research protocol presents the planning of a scoping review according to the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis (1), using measurement instruments to assess the workload of nurses in neonatal units. Nurses who care for newborns admitted to neonatal units provide care to critically ill and highly complex newborns. In this sense, there has been an increasing concern with the quality of nursing care and the safety of newborns. Quality and safety in healthcare are closely related to nurses' workload, so knowledge in this area is essential for nursing management. Several studies demonstrate this relationship, particularly with regard to adverse events (2). Our preliminary research did not find any reviews aimed at mapping the use of measurement instruments to assess the workload of nurses specifically in neonatal units. Therefore, we intend to conduct a review to answer the following question: What scientific knowledge exists on the use of measurement instruments to assess the workload of nurses in neonatal units? Objective: To identify existing scientific knowledge on the use of measurement instruments to assess the workload (phenomenon of interest) of nurses (population) in neonatal units (context). Method: Scoping review of the literature according to the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis (1), with a protocol and procedures developed and aligned with the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews extended to Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) (14)(15), conducted according to inclusion and exclusion criteria for participants, phenomenon of interest and context (PCC), taking into account the elements of the research question, in the following databases: PUBMED, CINAHL complete, Scielo, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs, Proquest and RCAAP. Results: The data obtained will be presented descriptively, supplemented by tables or diagrams specifying the year in which the studies were conducted, the countries where the data were collected, the type of study, the population, the sample, and the main results. Summary tables of the articles selected for review will also be included. The identification, characterisation, and synthesis of knowledge in this area will be in accordance with the defined objective and review question. Conclusion: This scoping review is expected to produce significant and relevant contributions to clinical practice and may influence the definition of new nursing team management policies to ensure the safety and quality of care. With regard to future research, it is hoped that this scoping review will serve as a relevant reference for identifying the state of the art in this area, in order to support the planning of our doctoral project. Keywords: Workload, nurse, neonatal units, measurement instruments, review, protocol