Mapping the evidence regarding the role of significant others to people diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis and positive/negative impacts of the role: A scoping Review Protocol

Objective: The objective of this scoping review is to identify and map the research conducted regarding the role of significant others to people diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis (IA) and how the role positively/negatively impacts the significant others and patients from the perspective of all involved parties. Introduction: Healthcare systems are increasingly expecting significant others to be the primary provider of support and care for people with IA, but very little is known about how this affects the role of significant others and positive/negative impacts both the patient and significant other. By mapping current research, it will become possible to include evidence from different types of studies. Inclusion criteria: Studies investigating the role of significant others to patients with IA including the negative/positive impact of having or being a significant other from the perspective of the patients, significant others and healthcare professionals within the last 15 years will be included. No limitations on study design. Methods: The scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for scoping reviews and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Full text quantitative and qualitative research papers will be identified through electronic databases and screened separately by two reviewers (CWH & BAE). Data from the included studies will be extracted individually by two reviewers. Results will be presented in tables and descriptively.