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IntroductionThe protocol presents the methodology of a scoping review that aims to synthesise contemporary evidence on the management and outcomes of intracranial fungal infections in Africa.Methods and analysisThe scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. The research question, inclusion and exclusion criteria and search strategy were developed based on the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome framework. A search will be conducted in electronic bibliographic databases (Medline (OVID), Embase, African Journals Online, Cochrane Library and African Index Medicus). No restrictions on language or date of publication will be made. Quantitative and qualitative data extracted from included articles will be presented through descriptive statistics and a narrative description.Ethics and disseminationThis study protocol does not require ethical approval. Findings will be reported in a peer-reviewed medical journal and presented at local, regional, national and international conferences.

ObjectivesTo estimate COVID-19 infections and deaths in healthcare workers (HCWs) from a global perspective during the early phases of the pandemic.DesignSystematic review.MethodsTwo parallel searches of academic bibliographic databases and grey literature were undertaken until 8 May 2020. Governments were also contacted for further information where possible. There were no restrictions on language, information sources used, publication status and types of sources of evidence. The AACODS checklist or the National Institutes of Health study quality assessment tools were used to appraise each source of evidence.Outcome measuresPublication characteristics, country-specific data points, COVID-19-specific data, demographics of affected HCWs and public health measures employed.ResultsA total of 152 888 infections and 1413 deaths were reported. Infections were mainly in women (71.6%, n=14 058) and nurses (38.6%, n=10 706), but deaths were mainly in men (70.8%, n=550) and doctors (51.4%, n=525). Limited data suggested that general practitioners and mental health nurses were the highest risk specialities for deaths. There were 37.2 deaths reported per 100 infections for HCWs aged over 70 years. Europe had the highest absolute numbers of reported infections (119 628) and deaths (712), but the Eastern Mediterranean region had the highest number of reported deaths per 100 infections (5.7).ConclusionsCOVID-19 infections and deaths among HCWs follow that of the general population around the world. The reasons for gender and specialty differences require further exploration, as do the low rates reported in Africa and India. Although physicians working in certain specialities may be considered high risk due to exposure to oronasal secretions, the risk to other specialities must not be underestimated. Elderly HCWs may require assigning to less risky settings such as telemedicine or administrative positions. Our pragmatic approach provides general trends, and highlights the need for universal guidelines for testing and reporting of infections in HCWs.

Background An understanding and appreciation of scientific research is a key quality of the modern clinician. Yet the Medical Schools Council has previously reported a reduction in the number of clinicians performing research. To explore the reasons for this difficulty, this multicentre, cross-sectional study aims to determine the medical student involvement and perceptions of research and research-orientated careers. It will additionally identify perceived barriers and incentives to participating in research as a student. Methods and analysis This cross-sectional study of medical students at UK medical schools recognised by the General Medical Council will be administered using an online questionnaire. This will be disseminated nationally over a 2-month period through collaborative university medical school and student networks. The primary outcome is to determine the extent to which medical students are currently involved in research. Secondary outcomes include identifying the personal and demographic factors involved in incentivising and deterring medical students from becoming involved in research during medical school. This will be achieved using a selection of Likert scale, multiple-choice and free text questions. Ordinal logistic regression analysis will be performed to understand the association between specific factors and student involvement in research. This study will also characterise the proportion of medical students who are currently interested in conducting research in the future. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval has been obtained from the Medical Sciences Interdivisional Research Ethics Committee, Oxford, England. The results will be disseminated via publication in a peer-reviewed medical journal and may be presented at local, regional, national and international conferences by medical student collaborators.