An Overview of Instruments to Assess Vulnerability in Healthcare: A Scoping Review

Background/Objectives: Vulnerability is a multifaceted concept frequently addressed in healthcare, reflecting individuals' and families' conditions that may affect health outcomes. The availability of validated instruments to assess vulnerability is essential for supporting healthcare professionals in delivering tailored care. This scoping review aimed to map the available scientific evidence regarding vulnerability assessment instruments in individuals and/or families in the context of healthcare. Methods: We conducted a scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. A comprehensive search was carried out in the databases PubMed, SciELO, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science, as well as in sources of gray literature, using relevant keywords. Results: A total of 38 studies were included, identifying 13 distinct instruments used to assess vulnerability at the individual and/or family level. These instruments varied widely in terms of dimensions, number of items, target populations, and modes of completion. Some instruments focused on specific aspects such as socioeconomic status, health behaviors, or access to services. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the complexity of the concept of vulnerability and the need to create instruments adapted to specific determinants/factors, such as environmental, biological, and social factors, as well as the specificities of target populations and contexts of assessment and intervention.