Skip to main content

Table 1 Population, concept, context (PCC) framework for identifying the main concepts within the research question

From: Protocol for a scoping review to map patient engagement in scoping reviews

Criteria

Determinants

Population

Health research

 The process for systematic collection, description, analysis, and interpretation of data that can be used to improve health [20]. Health research may include biomedical, clinical, health systems and services, and social, cultural, environmental, and population health studies [21].

Concept

Methods to engage patients and caregivers in scoping reviews

 Engagement is conceptualized as existing along a spectrum where the roles of patient and caregiver co-researchers vary according to the directions in which information flows and who holds decision-making power between researchers and patients and caregivers [10].

 Patient is an overarching term that is inclusive of individuals with personal experience of a health issue or accessing the healthcare system, and informal caregivers, including family and friends [12].

 Caregiver refers to those persons with interest in the patient’s health and wellbeing who are not remunerated for their role in the patient’s life [15].

Context

Arksey and O’Malley six-stage scoping review framework

 This framework proposes a sixth (historically optional) stakeholder consultation stage. As we conceptualize consultation as one component of a broader engagement spectrum [10] that represents the different degrees to which patients and caregivers can be engaged in scoping reviews, we are not only interested in studies that “consult” patients and caregivers, but also in the wider spectrum of engagement modes (i.e., consult, involve, collaborate, lead/support).

 Stakeholder is defined as a person who has an interest in the results of a research topic. In our study, stakeholders are patients and caregivers who have been engaged in scoping reviews of health research.