In the first systematic review of its kind, published in the Journal of Public Health (Oxford University Press), a diverse team of co-creation researchers, led by Katrina Messiha, identified and summarized contemporary (explicit) theories used in co-creation, co-design and co-production within public health research. A comprehensive exploration of four databases—PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and APA PsycINFO, entailed executing meticulous quality assessments and extracting theory content as integral components of the review process.
This systematic review highlights collaborative methodologies grounded in theories, involving diverse stakeholders across contexts, populations and public health issues. It provides a nuanced understanding of the applications and influences of these co-approaches. The team’s findings contribute saliently to academic discourse, offering valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers navigating the public health landscape.
Despite the limited number of articles included, the included theories for co-creation, co-design and co-production in public health establish a valuable foundation for developing effective strategies in future initiatives. Further, the review’s emphasis on synthesizing current theories, and exploring how and why these theories underpin co-approaches, underscores a commitment to advancing interdisciplinary approaches and enhancing public health interventions.