International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Involving Service Users in Care Regulation: A Scoping Review of Empirical Literature

Document Type : Review Article

Authors
Josje Kok 1
Flora Palimetaki 2
Nada Akrouh 1
Linda Schoonmade 3
Hester van de Bovenkamp 1
Anne Margriet Pot 1, 2, 4
1 Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
2 Dutch Health and Youth Care Inspectorate, Utrecht, The Netherlands
3 University Library Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
4 North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South-Africa
10.34172/ijhpm.8509
Abstract
Background 
Ensuring the quality and safety of service delivery extends beyond the realm of health and care professionals, necessitating collaboration among various stakeholders, including external regulatory organizations. The policy agenda of care regulators increasingly features the topic of service user involvement. Despite the extensive research on participatory healthcare, scholarly attention to service user involvement in regulatory practices has been limited. This scoping review delves into the landscape of service user involvement in the regulation of care services of all types and for all different age groups, examining the characteristics and focus of peer reviewed original research. In particular, it addresses a notable knowledge gap by examining how these studies report on the practical utilization of service user input, as well as the regulator’s perspective on service user involvement.
 
Methods 
We conducted a literature search in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, and Scopus from inception to July 14, 2023. Thirteen (n=13) empirical studies were included.
 
Results 
The underlying motives for service user involvement vary, ranging from legal imperatives and political pressure to enhancing institutional legitimacy and regulatory decision-making. Care regulators employ both reactive and proactive involvement methods. Empirical evidence delineates the challenges and benefits of service user involvement, highlighting concerns about bias, time investments, and the need for a distinct skillset for inspectors. Despite the valuable insights gained, there are instances where service user input is downplayed in practice.
 
Conclusion 
The findings underscore the importance of additional research on users’ preferences for involvement, optimal communication conditions to honor the collected input, and the challenges inspectors encounter in fostering meaningful involvement with service users. Addressing these challenges is crucial for aligning regulatory efforts with the genuine needs and experiences of services users. 

Keywords
Scoping Review
Regulation
Supervision
Quality and Safety
Service User Involvement
Participatory Practices
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International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Volume 14, Issue 1
2025
Pages 1-13

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  • Received Date 25 March 2024
  • Revised Date 23 January 2025
  • Accepted Date 26 February 2025
  • First Published Date 01 March 2025
  • Published Date 01 December 2025