Gerstein Science Information Centre
9 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON
Students looking for assistance on systematic reviews, scoping reviews, or other knowledge syntheses, please contact your liaison librarian.
Selected publications
Alibhai, S., Anwar, M. R., Puts, M., Yeretzian, S., Ayala, A.P, Matosayan, E., Breunis, H., Bote, K., Habib, M., Li, Q., Sahakyan, Y., & Abrahamyan, L. (2023). Geriatric assessment in older adults with cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 14(8). https://doi.org/10.1016/s1879-4068(23)00262-x
Cobey, K. D., Fehlmann, C. A., Christ Franco, M., Ayala, A. P., Sikora, L., Rice, D. B., Xu, C., Ioannidis, J. P., Lalu, M. M., Ménard, A., Neitzel, A., Nguyen, B., Tsertsvadze, N., & Moher, D. (2023, June 21). Epidemiological characteristics and prevalence rates of research reproducibility across disciplines: A scoping review of articles published in 2018-2019. ELife, 12. https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.78518
Alayche, M., Cobey, K. D., Ng, J. Y., Ardern, C. L., Khan, K. M., Chan, A. W., Chow, R., Masalkhi, M., Ayala, A. P., Ebrahimzadeh, S., Ghossein, J., Alayche, I., Willis, J. V., & Moher, D. (2023, January 1). Evaluating prospective study registration and result reporting of trials conducted in Canada from 2009 to 2019. FACETS, 8, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1139/facets-2022-0208
Pilleron, S., Sun, V., Ayala, A. P., Haase, K. R., Arthur, E. K., Kenis, C., Roggendorf, S., Krok-Schoen, J. L., Trevino, K., Schmidt, H., Hannan, M., Nikita, N., Monginot, S., Navarrete, E., & Puts, M. (2023, June). Loneliness in older adults living with cancer: A scoping review of the quantitative and qualitative evidence on behalf of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology Nursing and Allied Health Interest Group. Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 14(5), 101519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgo.2023.101519
Oppegaard, K. R., Armstrong, T. S., Anguera, J. A., Kober, K. M., Kelly, D. L., Laister, R. C., Saligan, L. N., Ayala, A. P., Kuruvilla, J., Alm, M. W., Byker, W. H., Miaskowski, C., & Mayo, S. J. (2022, December). Blood-based biomarkers of cancer-related cognitive impairment in non-central nervous system cancer: A scoping review. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, 180, 103822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103822
Donison, V., Yang, H., Ayala, A. P., Wills, A., Alibhai, S. M., & Puts, M. (2022, July). Care provided by older adults in active cancer treatment to a spouse: A scoping review. Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 13(6), 784–787. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgo.2022.01.003
Rethlefsen, M. L., Schroter, S., Bouter, L. M., Moher, D., Ayala, A. P., Kirkham, J. J., & Zeegers, M. P. (2021, November 11). Improving peer review of systematic reviews by involving librarians and information specialists: protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05738-z
Jung, P., Puts, M., Frankel, N., Syed, A. T., Alam, Z., Yeung, L., Malik, U., Rosario, C., Ayala, A. P., Hudson, J., & Alibhai, S. M. (2021, April). Delirium incidence, risk factors, and treatments in older adults receiving chemotherapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 12(3), 352–360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgo.2020.08.011
Orkin, A. M., Gill, P. J., Ghersi, D., Campbell, L., Sugarman, J., Emsley, R., Steg, P. G., Weijer, C., Simes, J., Rombey, T., Williams, H. C., Wittes, J., Moher, D., Richards, D. P., Kasamon, Y., Getz, K., Hopewell, S., Dickersin, K., Wu, T., Ayala, A.P.. . . Concato, J. (2021, July 20). Guidelines for Reporting Trial Protocols and Completed Trials Modified Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Extenuating Circumstances. JAMA, 326(3), 257. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.9941
Sriharan, A., Ratnapalan, S., Tricco, A. C., Lupea, D., Ayala, A. P., Pang, H., & Lee, D. D. (2020, November 26). Occupational Stress, Burnout, and Depression in Women in Healthcare During COVID-19 Pandemic: Rapid Scoping Review. Frontiers in Global Women’s Health, 1. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2020.596690
Cobey, K. D., Rice, D. B., Lalu, M. M., Abramowitz, D., Ahmadzai, N., Cunningham, H., Ayala, A. P., Raffoul, H., Khan, F., Shamseer, L., & Moher, D. (2020, April 21). Stress testing journals: a quasi-experimental study of rejection rates of a previously published paper. BMC Medicine, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-020-01550-9
Cobey, K. D., Rice, D. B., Lalu, M. M., Abramowitz, D., Ahmadzai, N., Cunningham, H., Ayala, A. P., Moher, D. (2019, December 10). Stress testing journals: a quasi-experimental study of rejection rates of a previously published paper. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/kre6j
Ayala, A. P., Sikora, L., Kirtley, S., & Labelle, P. R. (2019, December 6). Barriers and facilitators for early career researchers completing systematic or scoping reviews in health sciences: A scoping review. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/gkzf2
Rethlefsen, M., Koffel, J., Kirtley, S., Waffenschmidt, S., & Ayala, A. P. (2019, March 20). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis Search Extension (PRISMA-S) 2019: Explanation and Elaboration. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/sfc38
Dib, R. E., Pereira, J. E., Agarwal, A., Gomaa, H., Ayala, A. P., Botan, A. G., et al. J. (2017). Inhalation versus intravenous anaesthesia for adults undergoing on-pump or off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia, 40, 127-138. doi:10.1016/j.jclinane.2017.05.010
Arruda, A. P., Ayala, A. P., Lopes, L. C., Bergamaschi, C. C., Guimarães, C., Grossi, M. D., Dib, R. E., et al (2017). Herbal medications for surgical patients: a systematic review protocol. BMJ Open, 7(7). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014290
Jabloo, V. G., Alibhai, S., Fitch, M., Tourangeau, A., Ayala, A. P., & Puts, M. (2017). Antecedents and Outcomes of Uncertainty in Older Adults With Cancer: A Scoping Review of the Literature. Oncology Nursing Forum, 44(4). doi:10.1188/17.onf.e152-e167
Puts, M. T., Sattar, S., Ghodraty-Jabloo, V., Hsu, T., Fitch, M., Szumacher, E. Alibhai, S. M., Ayala AP, et al. (2017). Patient engagement in research with older adults with cancer. Journal of Geriatric Oncology. doi:10.1016/j.jgo.2017.05.002
Machado, A. N., Ayala, A. P., Rubinstein, S. M., Dib, R. E., Rodrigues, L. M., Gotfryd, A. O., Belloti, J. C., et al. (2017). Postoperative braces for degenerative lumbar diseases. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd012550
Perrier, L., Blondal, E., Ayala, A. P., Dearborn, D., Kenny, T., Lightfoot, D., Macdonald, H., et al. (2017). Research data management in academic institutions: A scoping review. Plos One, 12(5). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0178261
Czuba, K., O’Neill, T.J. and Ayala, A.P. (2017). The impact of food assistance on pastoralist livelihoods in humanitarian crises: An evidence synthesis. Humanitarian Evidence Programme. Oxford: Oxfam GB. http://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/the-impact-of-in-kind-food-assistance-on-pastoralist-livelihoods-in-humanitaria-620188
Puts, M. T., Toubasi, S., Andrew, M. K., Ashe, M. C., Ploeg, J., Atkinson, E., Ayala A.P., Roy, A., Rodriguez, M., Bergman H., McGilton, K. (2017). Interventions to prevent or reduce the level of frailty in community-dwelling older adults: a scoping review of the literature and international policies. Age and Ageing. doi:10.1093/ageing/afw247
Petkovic, J., Welch, V., Jacob, M. H., Yoganathan, M., Ayala, A. P., Cunningham, H., & Tugwell, P. (2016). The effectiveness of evidence summaries on health policymakers and health system managers use of evidence from systematic reviews: a systematic review. Implementation Science, 11(1). Doi:10.1186/s13012-016-0530-3
Puts, M. T., Toubasi, S., Atkinson, E., Ayala, A. P., Andrew, M., Ashe, M. C., Bergman H, Ploeg J., McGilton, K. S. (2016). Interventions to prevent or reduce the level of frailty in community-dwelling older adults: a protocol for a scoping review of the literature and international policies. BMJ Open, 6(3). Doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010959
Cleave, J. H., Kenis, C., Sattar, S., Jabloo, V. G., Ayala, A. P., & Puts, M. (2016). A Research Agenda for Gero-Oncology Nursing. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 32(1), 55-64. doi:10.1016/j.soncn.2015.11.007
Perrier, L., Farrell, A., Ayala, A. P., Lightfoot, D., Kenny, T., Aaronson, E., , Allee N, Brigham T, Connor E, Constantinescu T, Muellenbach J, Epstein HA, Weiss A (2014). Effects of librarian-provided services in healthcare settings: a systematic review. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 21(6), 1118-1124. Doi:10.1136/amiajnl-2014-002825
Selected Conference Presentations
International
Lenton E., Ayala AP. (2017) More than Expert Searchers! How librarians are positioned to improve quality and reduce waste through knowledge-synthesis service standards. Global Evidence Summit, Cape Town, South Africa
Ayala AP, Lenton E. (2015) More than expert searchers? A case study for librarians exploring roles beyond databases. 23rd Cochrane Colloquium. Vienna, Austria.
Perrier L, Farrell A, Ayala AP, Lightfoot D, Kenny T, Aaronson E, Allee N, Brigham T, Connor E, Constantinescu T, Muellenbach J, Epstein HA, Weiss A. Special panel on Systematic Reviews. Librarians without limits, Medical Library Association (MLA) Conference. Austin, Texas, USA.
Perrier L, Farrell A, Ayala AP, Lightfoot D, Kenny T, Aaronson E, Allee N, Brigham T, Connor E, Constantinescu T, Muellenbach J, Epstein HA, Weiss A. (2014). Effects of Librarian-Provided Services in Health Care: A Systematic Review. QUINT. Chapter Meeting, Colorado, USA.
Sheffield R, Dorey J, Ayala AP. (2013). Metadata Soup Can: Teaching Structural and Descriptive Metadata through Metaphor. Archival Education & Research Institute (AERI). Austin, Texas, USA.
Shafir U, Ayala AP. (2011). Learning in the Digital Age with Conceptual Curation. Research presented as part of a pedagogic imitative between faculty and librarians using digital tools. CNI Conference Fall AGM. Arlington, VA.
National
Cunningham C, Lui V, Lenton E, Ayala AP. (2016) Collaborating to navigate the sea of change in science and health science librarianship, IAUTL Conference Library Leadership in a Sea of Change, Halifax, NS.
Ayala AP, Cunningham H, Lenton E, Kirtley S. (2016) Librarians! Let’s Leverage Our Role to Raise the Quality of Biomedical Research. Medical Library Association (MLA), the Canadian Health Libraries Association/Association des bibliothèques de la santé du Canada (CHLA/ABSC), and the International Clinical Librarian Conference (ICLC), Mosaic ’16. Toronto, ON.
Lenton E, Ayala AP. (2016) It’s not a ‘favour’: Developing a service Model for librarians co-authoring Systematic Reviews. Medical Library Association (MLA), the Canadian Health Libraries Association/Association des bibliothèques de la santé du Canada (CHLA/ABSC), and the International Clinical Librarian Conference (ICLC), Mosaic ’16. Toronto, ON.
Lenton E, Ayala AP, Cunningham H. (2016) Responding to Researchers' Needs with the Knowledge Synthesis Service: What, Why and How. TRY Conference. Toronto, ON.
Silverberg S, Zannella V, Ayala AP, Lenton E, Friesen F, Lee JA, Law M. (2016). Growing a Culture of Stewardship: A Narrative Review of Current Antimicrobial Stewardship Training in Medical Education, Canadian Conference on Medical Education - “Accountability from Self to Society”.Montreal, Canada
Dhillon SS, Swardfager W, Friesen F, Ayala AP, Lenton E, Li A, Law M. (2016). Lower Rates of Cancer Screening in Patients with Dementia – A Systematic Review Poster presentation. Toronto East General Hospital Academic Day. Toronto, ON.
Silverberg S, Zannella V, Ayala AP, Lenton E, Friesen F, Lee JA, Law M. (2016) A narrative review of current antimicrobial stewardship training in medical education. Poster presentation. The 30th Annual Medical Student Research Day. Toronto, ON.
Perrier L, Farrell A, Ayala AP, Lightfoot D, Kenny T, Aaronson E, Allee N, Brigham T, Connor E, Constantinescu T, Muellenbach J, Epstein HA, Weiss A. (2014). Effects of Librarian-Provided Services in Health Care: A Systematic Review. Scaling new heights together, Canadian Health Libraries Association (CHLA) Conference. Montreal, QC.
Logan J, Ayala AP. (2013) Peer to peer mobile learning. TRY Conference, Toronto, ON.
Shaughnessy R, Baker G, Ayala AP. (2012). Redefining Multidisciplinary Library Learning: Lessons from Chilean Family Health Teams. TRY Conference. Toronto, ON.
CIHR SPOR PIHCI Network – Knowledge Synthesis Grants, $50,000. January 2017- Dec 2017. Identifying and Understanding the Health and Social Care Needs of Older Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions and their Caregivers: A Scoping Review. McGilton, K., Puts, M., Bergman, H., Andrew, M., Morgan, D, Vedel, I., Ayala, AP., Dube, V., Marshall, E., Ploeg, J., Walker, J., Wodchis, W, McElhaney, J, Decision Maker Applicants: Sampali, T, McKay, S., Bell, D., Sinha, S., Fernie, G., McNeil, D., Grimes, S., Beaudet, L., Hale, L Patient/Caregiver Partners: Bruce, L. Keatings, M., Parrot E., Stephens D, Wylie, D.
CIHR Knowledge Synthesis Grant, $100,000. June 1, 2016 – May 31, 2017. HEARTPA♀N, A Smartphone and Web-Based Self-Management Program for Women with Cardiac Pain: An Integrated Mixed Methods Systematic Review. Principal Applicants: Parry M, & Clarke H, Co-Investigators: Bjoernnes AK, Cooper L, Gordon A, Harvey P, Lalloo C, Leegaard M, LeFort S, McFetridge-Durdle J, McGillion M, O’Keefe-McCarthy S, Price J, Stinson J, Victor JC, & Watt-Watson J. Collaborators: Ayala AP, Lenton E, Bernard K, De Angelis C, Alpha Phi Xi Chapter, Ontario Women’s Health Network, & Centre for Global eHealth Innovation.
Canadian Frailty Priority Setting Partnership. Canadian Frailty Network, $77,360. June 2016 - June 2017. McGilton, Katherine; Puts, Martine; Bethell, Jennifer; Andrew, Melissa; Ayala, A. Patricia; Bergman, Howard; Choate, Andrew; DeAngelis, Carlo; Fitch, Marg; Frank, Chris; Keatings, Margaret; McElhaney, Janet; Pitters, Eric; Ploeg, Jenny; Sidani, Souraya.
Provost’s Instructional Technology Innovation Fund (ITIF), University of Toronto. March 2016. $1,980.00. Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation: Development of an Innovative, Technology-Enabled Evaluative Module for Undergraduate Nursing, Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant Students. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto. Lok J, Ibrahim S, Parry M, Kanofsky S, LeBouthillier C, Ayala A.P., Teja F.
Technology Evaluation in the Elderly Network, $50,000. June 15, 2015 – December 2016 Interventions to prevent and treat frailty in community-dwelling older adults: A scoping review of the literature and international policies. Puts, M. J Van Cleave J, Kenis C, Schroder S, Jabloo V, Ayala A.P.
Knowledge Synthesis Grant, CIHR, $49, 526. March 2013 – (updated August 2015). Competence Development in Nursing Students and Newly Graduates Nurses: A Scoping Review. McGillis-Hall L, Harris A, Ayala A.P.
Provost’s Instructional Technology Innovation Fund (ITIF), University of Toronto. $11,097.35. August 2012 – August 2013. Mobile Device Use across the Curriculum: From Classroom to Clinical Practice Point-of-Care. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. Barry M. Teeja F, Oskarsson J, Ayala A.P.
Connaught New Researcher Award Competition Recipient, $10,000. February 2012 – February 2013. The Intensive Care Environment as the Social Context for Decision-making for Patients with Chronic Critical Illness: A Critical Realist Review. Rose L, Chan C, Ayala A.P.