Silence in physician clinical practice: a scoping review protocol

Objective The objective of this review is to map, describe and conceptualize how silence is discussed within literature on interactions between physicians and patients, in clinical settings. Methods We will use the methodological framework of Arksey & O’Malley, adapted by Levac et al and Joanna Briggs Institute. Empirical studies including quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, observational studies and reviews will be included. Commentaries, editorials, and grey literature will also be examined. The databases MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science will be searched. A two-part study selection strategy will be applied. First, reviewers will follow inclusion and exclusion criteria based on ‘Population-Concept-Context’ framework to independently screen titles and abstracts. Next, full texts will be screened. Data will be extracted, collated, and charted to summarize methods, outcomes and key findings from the articles included. Expected results and implications This scoping review will provide an extensive description of how physicians engage with silence in clinical settings. Findings will identify how silence is perceived in physician patient interactions, the roles it plays, what factors influence use of silence and guide development of educational initiatives on use of silence in clinical settings.