Implementing shared care models for young people with mental health difficulties: a consolidated framework for implementation research- informed scoping review of service integration across physical, sexual and mental health domains

TL;DR

This review explores shared care models that integrate mental, physical, and sexual health for young people with mental health difficulties, identifying barriers and enablers to implementation.

Contribution

A novel synthesis of shared care models for young people with mental health difficulties using the CFIR framework to guide implementation.

Findings

Most shared care models address mental and physical health, with fewer addressing mental and sexual health.

Common barriers include staff turnover and societal stigma, while enablers include youth-specific care and clear communication.

Implementation of integrated care remains limited despite its demonstrated need.

Abstract

Most mental health difficulties (MHD) emerge during adolescence and early adulthood, placing young people at an increased risk for co-occurring physical and sexual health challenges. Shared models of care (SMOC) to connect specialist mental health care with physical and/or sexual health have been developed to address these health needs among young people with MHD. We aimed to identify and characterise SMOC that integrate physical and/or sexual healthcare for young people with MHD, and to synthesise SMOC implementation determinants using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) for policy makers, commissioners and practitioners seeking to strengthen youth-integrated service delivery.

Five electronic databases and key grey literature sites were searched in October 2024. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they predominantly included young people (aged 10–25) with an MHD. SMOC had to address MHD as a primary concern or have parity with the physical and/or sexual health concern(s) being addressed. Key study details were extracted and were appraised using the mixed methods appraisal tool. Screening was conducted in duplicate, with extraction and appraisals conducted by one team member and verified by a second. Findings were thematically synthesised and mapped to CFIR domains to inform implementation planning in youth health systems.

Search results identified 25 relevant SMOC to include in the review. Almost all models (n = 23/25) addressed shared care between mental and physical health, while nine addressed mental and sexual health and seven addressed mental, physical and sexual health needs. Reporting quality varied but most SMOC included referral pathways, assessment, treatment and external support components. Barriers frequently mapped to the inner and outer setting CFIR domains, with high staff turnover (n = 9) and societal stigma towards mental health (n = 7) common concerns. Enablers frequently mapped to the process and innovation constructs, including offering youth-specific care models (n = 7) and clear communication between services (n = 5).

Despite evidence supporting the need for an integrated care approach, implementation remains limited by setting-specific barriers. Findings highlight the need for service planning and developing tailored, youth-specific models to ensure a holistic approach to care is available to young people experiencing MHD.

Open Science Framework (osf.io/rj783).

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-026-14178-x.

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