Does Population Based Resource Allocation of Primary Care Services deliver improvements in Population Health Outcomes and Reduce Health Inequalities? A scoping review protocol

<ns5:p>Background Governments across the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries grapple with the complex mandate of equitable and efficient resource allocation for healthcare while ensuring optimized care quality and universal coverage. Many health systems regard Population-Based Resource Allocation (PBRA) as the cornerstone for aligning primary healthcare services with population needs. While formulae and other technical elements of PBRA are well-studied, there is a dearth of synthesized evidence exploring whether primary health governed by PBRA principles improves public health and what are the specific organizational determinants that mediate outcomes. Methods Adhering to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, this scoping review will map the evidence evaluating PBRA applications across the OECD between 2000 and 2026. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we will search PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Google Scholar for published and grey literature. The review will include evidence researching PBRA within integrated outpatient domains (e.g., primary care, mental health, and allied health) while excluding emergency and acute inpatient settings. Data on health outcomes and equity will be analysed using descriptive statistics and inductive content analysis to map PBRA configurations, identifying key mechanisms and structural barriers through a process of coding and category development. Conclusions By synthesizing the evidence about the impact of PBRA on primary care priorities, this review will provide critical nuances for health reform in jurisdictions like Ireland, where Sláintecare i.e., a universal healthcare roadmap is being established and progress toward UN Sustainable Development Goal #3 (SDG3) remains a priority.</ns5:p>