Engagement Methods for Populations Underrepresented in Mental Health Services Research Partnerships in High-income Countries:  A Participatory Scoping Review Protocol

Abstract* Background Advancing effective treatments and interventions to improve mental health services and outcomes requires the full and meaningful participation of communities underrepresented in research partnerships. In recent years a trend has emerged of involving members of groups as researchers, partners, or participants in patient-centered clinical comparative effectiveness research that past research has typically ignored with little to no engagement. The aim of this scoping review is to identify the engagement approaches and strategies that have been used to engage populations underrepresented in partnerships for mental health services research. Methods The participatory scoping review will employ the methodological framework initially proposed by Arksey and O’Malley. We will search MEDLINE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science from all time through December 2024. A participatory approach will engage co-investigators with lived expertise of mental health challenges and Advisory Council members throughout the review. A modified Delphi Panel will facilitate interpretation of findings. Results Preliminary findings will generate a descriptive summary of engagement methods, inclusive of engagement approaches and strategies, used with populations underrepresented in mental health services research. For the identified engagement approaches, we plan to provide a descriptive summary of the articulated principles and application of each engagement approach. For the engagement strategies, we plan to summarize for each engagement strategy: (1) the goal, (2) the population(s) engaged, (3) key procedures and resources, and (4) findings from process and/or impact evaluations. The structure of the descriptive summaries and interpretation of findings will be informed by the community co-investigators, advisory council members, and experts who will be convened through a modified delphi panel. Discussion Our participatory scoping review of all mental health services research using engagement strategies will produce evidence-based guidance to improve approaches to engagement in PCOR/CER and establish a science of engagement.