Contextual Factors in Health Economic Analyses of Inter-Organisational Collaboration Between Health and Social Care for Older Adults: A Scoping Review Protocol

This scoping review protocol outlines a planned review examining health economic aspects of inter-organisational collaboration between healthcare and social care services for older adults. The review aims to map what kinds of collaborative models are studied, which health economic outcomes are reported, and how contextual factors—such as governance structures, organisational arrangements, and funding mechanisms—are described in the literature. Using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) PCC framework, the review will include empirical studies (2015–2025) from countries with broadly comparable health and social care systems, focusing on collaborative initiatives involving at least one healthcare and one social care organisation. Eligible studies must report economic outcomes such as costs, resource use, or cost-effectiveness. The search strategy will be developed with an experienced research librarian and conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Social Services Abstracts). Data will be charted and synthesised narratively to map the range of collaboration models, contextual factors, and reported economic impacts. The review follows established scoping review methodology (Arksey & O’Malley; PRISMA-ScR) and aims to inform policymakers, practitioners, and researchers seeking to design effective, resource-efficient collaboration models for older adults.