Method for and potential value of reflexive stakeholder mapping of a policy evaluation team: the example of the national evaluation of the NHS Pharmacy First scheme

Abstract Background Pharmacy First (PF) was launched in the National Health Service in England in January 2024, and an evaluation of PF was commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Care Research. The aim of this study was to conduct a reflexive stakeholder analysis of the PF evaluation team and an independent study steering committee (SSC), considering stakeholder positionality and identity. Methods All members of the PF evaluation team (including patient and lay members) and the SSC were asked to confirm their affiliations and professional identities potentially relevant to evaluating PF. The data were entered into an online platform for mapping complex systems. Two stakeholder maps were created, showing the connections between both groups and their respective affiliations. Individuals’ positions (i.e. opinions) on PF were also recorded. Results All PF evaluation team (n = 32) and SSC (n = 17) members responded. There were 23 and 33 potentially relevant affiliations reported across the PF evaluation team and SSC, respectively. Across both groups, 25 had more than one affiliation, 24 had a formal health professional identity and 8 held a dual role in public service and academia. Conclusions This novel method for reflexive stakeholder analysis of a research team and its SSC has demonstrated that participants span multiple sectors and professional affiliations, but that there was initial potential for imbalance in the SSC. As a result, changes were made, such as the inclusion of two more general practitioners in the SSC, and adapting data collection to include the former. Conducting reflexive stakeholder analysis may be worth consideration by other evaluation teams, in similar contexts, evaluating high profile policy schemes.