Investigating the use of actor-network theory in healthcare: a protocol for a systematic review

Abstract

Methods and analysis Using the Population-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome framework, the databases MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, SCOPUS, PubMed, APA PsycINFO, Business Source Complete and Academic Search Complete will be searched using Boolean terms to identify peer-reviewed literature concerning ANT in healthcare. All relevant articles published between January 2013 and September 2023 will be eligible for inclusion. A thematic approach will be employed to appraise and analyse the extracted data to assess the various definitions of ANT and the use of ANT in healthcare settings, interactions and collaboration.Ethics and dissemination Given that no primary data will be captured, ethical approval will not be required for this study. Findings will be shared and ultimately published through open access peer-reviewed journals and reports.PROSPERO registration number 455283.