Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41121413›Full record

ArticleResearch involvement and engagement2025

Scoping review of needs for digital technology in co-creation: a health CASCADE study.

Quentin E A Loisel, Qingfan An, Vinayak Anand-Kumar, George Balaskas, Homer Papadopoulos, Dimitra Pappa, Maria Giné-Garriga, Giuliana Raffaella Longworth, Sebastien F M Chastin

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Research involvement and engagement, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Quentin E A LoiselSchool of Health and Life Science, Glasgow Caledonian University, Govan Mbeki Building, Room A258, Cowcaddens Road, Scotland, G4 0BA, UK. quentin.loisel@gcu.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0287-3908
Qingfan AnDepartment of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0693-570X
Vinayak Anand-KumarHealth Psychology and Behavioural Medicine, Constructor University, Bremen, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2972-5887
George BalaskasInstitute of Informatics and Telecommunications, NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece.
Homer PapadopoulosInstitute of Informatics and Telecommunications, NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3669-3094
Dimitra PappaInstitute of Informatics and Telecommunications, NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4506-6690
Maria Giné-GarrigaFaculty of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences Blanquerna, Department of Sport Sciences, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4449-3524
Giuliana Raffaella LongworthFaculty of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences Blanquerna, Department of Sport Sciences, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9063-4821
Sebastien F M ChastinSchool of Health and Life Science, Glasgow Caledonian University, Govan Mbeki Building, Room A258, Cowcaddens Road, Scotland, G4 0BA, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1421-9348

Funding

H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions 956501
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPatient and public involvement (PPI) is increasingly recognised as essential for meaningful, equitable, and impactful health and social care research. Co-creation is a promising involvement approach, but it faces barriers to enable its optimal potential. Digital technologies have the potential to overcome these challenges and strengthen the participatory process, but the specific technology needs that underpin effective participation and engagement remain underexplored.

methodsWe conducted a comprehensive scoping review of 60 peer-reviewed studies to systematically map the digital technology needs supporting co-creation processes. Needs were extracted and thematically analysed, resulting in a structured synthesis.

resultsA total of 337 distinct digital technology needs were identified and organised into five thematic areas: Ensuring Integrity, Enabling Methodology, Cognitive Needs, Group Dynamics, and Process Management. While most needs focused on functional attributes, non-functional characteristics, such as usability, scalability, and inclusivity, emerged as critical for meaningful patient and public engagement. The review highlights the fragmented articulation of technology needs across disciplines and settings. It proposes a structured framework to make latent needs visible, align stakeholder perspectives, and guide the development of digital tools. The emerging role of artificial intelligence in supporting hybrid models of involvement, along with the associated ethical challenges, is also discussed.

conclusionThis review provides the first thematic framework for understanding and addressing digital technology needs in co-creation. The findings offer a foundation for researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers within health and social care to develop and implement digital tools that enhance accessibility, engagement, and impact of participatory processes. Future research should validate and refine these insights in partnership with patients, service users, and diverse communities to ensure technological solutions foster truly inclusive and effective involvement.

Indexed as

Artificial intelligenceCo-creationCollective intelligenceDigital technologyParticipatory needsParticipatory researchPatient and public involvement (PPI)

Identifiers

PMID41121413
PMCPMC12538968

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.