Health promotion research in the Nordic countries - a scoping review of PhD dissertations 2008-2018

Abstract Background The Nordic countries are welfare states that also have been claimed to be in the forefront developing health promotion, relation theory, research, policy and practice. This scoping review was performed by members of Health Promotion Research Network with objectives collect identify scope theoretical basis doctoral (PhD) dissertations on promotion a context. Methods Searches for dissertations, published 2008-2018, were several databases Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden. Those labelled “health promotion” present titles, abstract or key words included review. Data extracted based common template including title, aims, university, individual-national level, setting, type study collaboration. Results search strategy had modified include manual searches at university sites as no national data base available. In total, 353 41 different universities. Most Swedish (193), while 56 came from 53 Norway 51 but non Iceland. main content lifestyle (28%), mental psychosocial (14%), critical (8%), empowerment (7%) refugee immigrants (5%). most approach settings (31%), care setting followed societal (28%) individual approaches. Mixed methods research method (45%) quantitative (32%) qualitative (23%). Large country variations seen promotion. Conclusions can characterised focusing lifestyle, approach, primarily using mixed approach. However, there large between PhDs, empowerment. Key messages Analysis PhD contribute more comprehensive insight disciplinary development. training will implications future public workforce. collaboration enabled an extensive shows what has characterized field research.