Establishing how social capital is studied in relation to cardiovascular disease and identifying gaps for future research—A scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION: Though the relationship between social capital and health has been widely studied, the evidence of this relationship in cardiovascular disease is limited, with varied and inconsistent measures. This scoping review seeks to address this gap by answering the following questions: (1) How has social capital been characterized and measured in the literature related to cardiovascular disease? and (2) What gaps exist in the evaluation of the relationship between social capital and cardiovascular disease? MATERIALS AND METHODS: A scoping review will be used to answer the research questions. The scoping review will apply established methods described by Arksey and O'Malley, Levac and colleagues, and the Joanne Briggs Institute: (1) identifying the research question(s); (2) identifying relevant studies; (3) selecting the studies; (4) charting the data; and (5) collating, summarizing, and reporting the results. RESULTS: Our findings will be reported in accordance with the guidance provided in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement. DISCUSSION: The synthesis of this evidence base is intended to provide a framework for how social capital has been defined and measured in the cardiovascular literature, with additional guidance for future research and evaluation. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and presentations at relevant seminars.