Coproduction in Social Prescribing Initiatives: Protocol for a Scoping Review

Abstract

BackgroundSocial prescribing (SP) takes a holistic approach to health by linking clients from clinical settings to community programs to address their nonmedical needs. The emerging evidence base for SP demonstrates variability in the design and implementation of different SP initiatives. To effectively address these needs, coproduction among clients, communities, stakeholders, and policy makers is important for tailoring SP initiatives for optimal uptake. ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the role of coproduction in SP initiatives. The research question is as follows: How and for what purpose has coproduction been incorporated across a range of SP initiatives for different clients? MethodsA review of international literature will be conducted following the JBI guidelines for scoping reviews. We will search multiple databases including Scopus, MEDLINE, and the PAIS Index, as well as gray literature, from 2000 to 2023. The primary studies included will describe a nonmedical need for clients, a nonmedical SP program or initiative, coproduction of the SP program, and any follow-up. Review articles and commentaries will be excluded. Titles, abstracts, and full-text articles will be screened, and data will be extracted by at least 2 research team members using Covidence and a pilot-tested extraction template. Clients with lived experience will also participate in the research process. Findings will be descriptively summarized and thematically synthesized to answer the research question. ResultsThe project was funded in 2023, and the results are expected to be submitted for publication in early 2025. ConclusionsDescriptions of what coproduction is meant to accomplish may differ from theoretical aspirations. Continued understanding of how coproduction has been designed and executed across varied international SP models is important for framing engagement in practice for future SP arrangements and their evaluation. We anticipate this review will guide clients, communities, stakeholders, and policy makers in further developing SP practice within health care systems. Trial RegistrationOpen Science Framework Registries B8U4Z; https://osf.io/b8u4z International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/57062