Co-creation methods for public health research - characteristics, benefits, and challenges: a Health CASCADE scoping review

Abstract

Background Co‑creation engages diverse stakeholders, including marginalized populations, in collaborative problem‑solving to enhance engagement and develop contextually appropriate solutions. It is increasingly recognized as a way to democratize research and improve the impact of interventions, services, and policies. However, the lack of synthesized evidence on co‑creation methods limits methodological rigor and the establishment of best practices. This review aimed to identify co‑creation methods in academic literature and analyze their characteristics, target groups, and associated benefits and challenges. Methods This scoping review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‑Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews. The search was conducted in the Health CASCADE database v1.5 (including CINAHL, PubMed, and 17 additional databases via ProQuest) from January 1970 to March 2022. Data was aggregated and summarized, with qualitative data analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six‑phase thematic analysis approach. Results The review included 266 articles, identifying 248 distinct co‑creation methods published between 1998 and 2022. Most methods were rooted in participatory paradigms (147 methods), with 49 methods derived from coapproaches like co‑creation, co‑design, and co‑production, and 11 from community‑based health promotion and action research. Methods were applied across 40 target populations, including children, adults, and marginalized groups. Many methods (62.3%) were delivered face‑to‑face, with 40 articles incorporating digital tools. Thematic analysis revealed nine benefits, such as enhanced creativity, empowerment, and improved communication, and six challenges, including resource constraints and systemic and structural barriers. Conclusion This review emphasizes the importance of robust documentation and analysis of co‑creation methods to inform their application in public health. Findings support the development of collaborative co‑creation processes that are responsive to the needs of diverse populations, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness and cultural sensitivity of the outcomes. This review highlights the potential of co‑creation methods to promote equity and inclusion while emphasizing the importance of evaluating and selecting methods tailored to specific objectives, offering a critical resource for planning, conducting, and evaluating co‑creation projects.