Participatory learning and action (PLA) to improve health outcomes in high-income settings: a systematic review protocol (Heys, 2022)
Allaham Shereen Kumar Ameeta Morriss Felix Lakhanpaul Monica Wilson Emma Sikorski Catherine Martin Jennifer Costello Anthony Manikam Logan Heys Michelle.
BMJ open 2022;12 (2 ): e050784 .
INTRODUCTION: Participatory learning and action (PLA) is a form of group reflection and learning with documented efficacy in low-income countries to improve social and health outcomes. PLA represents both a learning philosophy and a practical framework that could be applied to a variety of contexts. To date, PLA has not been widely implemented within high-income countries (HICs) to improve health and health-related outcomes. We aim to synthesise the literature currently available by means of a systematic review to form a foundation for future applications of PLA methodology in HICs.,
METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers will independently search predefined terms in the following electronic bibliographic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane Library. The search terms will encompass PLA and PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) projects, as well as studies using the Triple/Quadruple Aim model. We will include randomised controlled trials that incorporate online or face-to-face components using the PLA/PDSA methodology. Our data will be extracted into a standardised prepiloted form with subsequent narrative review according to the SWiM (Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis) guidelines.,
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No ethics approval is required for this study. The results of this study will be submitted for publication in a leading peer-reviewed academic journal in this field. Additionally, a report will be produced for the funders of this review, which can be viewed for free on their website., PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020187978. Copyright © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.