Stakeholder involvement in a Cochrane review of physical rehabilitation after stroke: description and reflections

Julie Brown, Gill Baer, Sheila Cameron, Karl Jackson, Carrol Lamouline, Richard Morley, Diane Ormsby, Anneliese Synnot, Alex Todhunter-Brown*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Introduction
It is good practice to involve stakeholders in systematic reviews, but it is not clear
how best to involve them.
Aim
To describe and reflect on the stakeholder involvement within an update of a
Cochrane review of physical rehabilitation after stroke.
Methods
A stakeholder group, comprising 15 stroke survivors, carers, and physiotherapists from across the UK, were recruited and contributed throughout the process of the review. A framework was used to describe when and how stakeholders were involved. Stakeholders provided feedback on their involvement after meetings. An amended version of a validated patient engagement tool was used to collect reflections on the stakeholder involvement process.
Results
Five stakeholder meetings were held throughout the review process, supplemented by additional communication. Several changes were made to the review structure, analyses, and wording as a direct result of the stakeholder involvement. Stakeholders and researchers agreed that stakeholders’ contributions were taken seriously and influenced the review. Stakeholders felt that they were given the chance to share their views and that information was shared well before, during and after each meeting to help them to contribute knowledgeably in the process. Stakeholder reflections highlighted a number of key lessons relating to stakeholder involvement, including process of reflection and feedback, use of remote / virtual meetings, need for adequate time and funding, tensions experienced by clinicians, and recruitment considerations.
Conclusions
We describe and reflect on stakeholder involvement in a systematic review and
explores practical ways to support meaningful engagement during systematic review production. Our experience supports the view that coproducing reviews with stakeholders can make systematic reviews more relevant and meaningful. Our approach and experiences can be used to inform future review coproduction,
supporting development of useful reviews that will improve clinical practice.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere12032
JournalCochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods
Volume1
Issue number10
Early online date1 Dec 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2023

Keywords

  • stakeholder involvement
  • systematic review
  • stroke
  • patient and public involvement
  • coproduction
  • reflection

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Stakeholder involvement in a Cochrane review of physical rehabilitation after stroke: description and reflections'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this