Digital resources in the monitoring of patients with cleft lip and palate: protocol for a scoping review

Abstract

Introduction Cleft lip and/or palate (CL+/-P) is a congenital malformation affecting the lip and palate, requiring long-term treatment due to potential associated complications. For this reason, it is important for the patient to be continuously monitored and followed for health promotion and prevention, as well as improving the quality of life. The aim of this scoping review protocol is to identify and map the available evidence regarding the application of digital resources and technologies in the monitoring and follow-up of patients with CL+/-P.Methods and analysis This scoping review protocol follows the guidelines recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual, employing the PCC acronym (Patient/Concept/Context). Searches will be conducted, in May 2024, of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, ScienceDirect, as well as grey literature indexed in ProQuest Open Access Dissertations & Theses and Google Scholar. The review will consider all types of published studies, including grey literature, in English, Portuguese and Spanish languages, and will consider studies regardless of publication date. Exclusions will apply to studies that do not address the use of digital resources and technologies in CL+/-P monitoring and follow-up.Ethics and dissemination As this is a scoping review, no ethics committee approval is required. After completion, the plan is to publish results in scientific journals on craniofacial malformations.Study registration Open Science Framework, DOI:10.17605/OSF.IO/Y6AG8.