Co-creation, coproduction and co-design are advocated as effective ways of involving citizens in the design, management, delivery and evaluation of health and social care services. Although numerous case studies describe the nature and level of coproduction in individual projects, there remain significant gaps in the evidence base.

The overall aim for the Samskapa program is to explore, enhance and measure the value of coproduction for improving the health and social care of citizens. There are three fundamental issues:
- measures of coproduction processes and their outcomes;
- mechanisms that enable inclusive and reciprocal coproduction;
- management systems and styles.


Based on our findings we will develop an explanatory model and other outputs to enhance future coproduction initiatives.

Nine confirmed coproduction projects form the core of the interactive research program; 7 are underway in Sweden and the others will be undertaken in the United Kingdom to allow for knowledge exchange and cross-cultural comparison. The program has a longitudinal case study design using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Cross-case analysis and a sensemaking process with participants, leaders and researchers will lead to practical lessons for practitioners and will be disseminated to key audiences outside the scientific community. The originality of the program is in moving beyond individual projects and taking a longitudinal, cross-case approach to explore the complexities of delivering and improving health and social care through new forms of relationships.

The research program started in 2019 and is planned for six years.

Sofia Kjellström, Jönköping University (programme manager)
Glenn Robert, King’s College London (co-programme manager)