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This paper outlines the protocol for a scoping review that aims to identify and map existing quality improvement (QI) and patient safety research frameworks. The review will analyze literature from 2000-2025 in developed countries, using databases like MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library, to inform the development of a harmonized conceptual framework for the Irish healthcare system. The ultimate goal is to guide QI and patient safety research priority setting, measurement, and implementation in Ireland.
This scoping review will inform the development of a meta-framework to guide quality improvement and patient safety research priorities in the Irish healthcare system.
Background A core remit of the Evidence Based QUality Improvement and Patient Safety (EQUIPS) Research Network (2024–2029) is to inform research priorities for the Irish healthcare system. Previously, research prioritisation exercises have treated quality improvement (QI) and patient safety research as separate fields. Given the growth of QI research, an integrated approach is required to generate a full view of the continuum of knowledge generation and translation activities in quality and safety contexts. The co-creation of a Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Research Conceptual Framework among researchers, knowledge users and patient groups is required to outline important topics, research questions and methodologies, applicable to all areas of healthcare. A scoping review of the literature is required to examine existing QI and patient safety research frameworks to inform the development of a harmonised conceptual framework for the Irish context. Methods The scoping review will follow JBI guidelines for developing and co-creating scoping review protocols with knowledge users. The completed review will be reported according to the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews, and Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public 2 (GRIPP2) checklist which supports enhanced reporting of patient and public involvement in research. We will search the following databases from 2000–2025 focussing on literature sources from developed countries: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science. We will map included papers using an extraction template developed to fulfil the study aims. Two reviewers will independently screen studies, and discrepancies will be addressed by consensus using a third reviewer. Dissemination Findings will be used to inform the development of a meta-framework that will be used to guide QI and patient safety research priority setting, measurement and monitoring, implementation, and knowledge translation activities in Ireland, at local and national levels. OSF https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/FGWUA
