Military personnel perspectives on participating in health research: A scoping review

Military service can significantly affect the health and wellbeing of current and former serving personnel. Although health research aims to address these impacts, little is known about how military personnel perceive such research. The aim of this scoping review was to investigate military personnel's perspectives on participating in health research. A scoping review of the literature was conducted using the JBI Scoping Review Methodology. Studies were included if they included the perspectives of military personnel or veterans on health research with military populations based on their own or others' experiences. Studies could be in any geographical location and in any context, including in combat, and not limited to any specific health issue. A comprehensive search strategy was conducted across multiple databases including MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycINFO. Unpublished studies and grey literature were searched using MedNar, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and Google Scholar. The extracted data included information on participants, study design, country, and key findings relevant to the review question. All aspects were undertaken by two independent reviewers. A narrative synthesis approach was used to identify and organise key themes across included studies. Ten studies were included in the review, all were conducted in the United States, and the majority involved veteran populations. The included studies comprised both qualitative studies (e.g., interviews, focus groups) and quantitative studies (cross-sectional surveys). Themes related to military personnel's perspectives on health research conducted with military populations were identified. A primary theme identified military personnel's motivations for participating in health research-altruism, a sense of moral duty, and personal benefit-which often overlapped. Four additional themes described factors that enable or hinder participation: (1) increasing research awareness and tailoring study information for military audiences; (2) considering participant convenience and appropriate incentives; (3) integrating diversity considerations throughout study design, conduct, and dissemination; and (4) strengthening participants' trust in research and researchers. Together, these themes show that military personnel's perspectives on health research are shaped by their underlying motivations, the practical and informational conditions that support participation, and the trust and inclusivity embedded within the research process. This scoping review identified a range of practical strategies that can be implemented to encourage military personnel to take part in research. We also identified key barriers that need to be addressed. In particular, using a co-design approach throughout the research cycle can enhance trust among participants and the relevance and utility of the research outcome. Oversight by a human research ethics committee is also important. Application of these findings can strengthen the impact of health research involving military personnel, contributing to improved health outcomes for the broader community.