Musculoskeletal Health in Crisis: A Comparative Policy Analysis of National MSK Frameworks in the United Kingdom

Description

This dataset supports a qualitative policy analysis examining how national musculoskeletal (MSK) health policy is framed, governed, and operationalised across the United Kingdom. Rather than testing a formal hypothesis, the study adopts an interpretive approach to explore how policy priorities, assumptions, and omissions shape MSK health strategy within and across devolved administrations. The data comprise publicly available national policy documents, frameworks, and strategic texts identified through systematic document search and eligibility criteria. Using inductive, reflexive thematic analysis, policy content was coded and iteratively synthesised, with findings interpreted through the Walt and Gilson Policy Analysis Triangle and the Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health (G-MUSC) global strategic framework. The data demonstrate consistent patterns of reactive policy framing, selective incorporation of prevention and integration principles, and variable alignment with global MSK strategy, alongside notable silences relating to equity, accountability, and co-production. The materials deposited here document analytic decisions, thematic synthesis, and conceptual mapping, enabling readers to understand how interpretations were developed and to reuse the dataset for comparative policy analysis, secondary synthesis, or methodological illustration.

Steps to reproduce

Data Collection and Reproducibility The data were generated through a structured policy document review informed by PRISMA principles for transparent identification and selection of sources. Searches were conducted across academic and grey literature sources to capture national-level musculoskeletal (MSK) health policy documents relevant to the United Kingdom. Databases and platforms searched included CINAHL Ultimate, Overton, GOV.UK, the NHS website, NICE, and additional grey literature sources. Search terms combined MSK-related concepts with policy and strategy identifiers and were applied consistently across sources. Records were screened sequentially by title, abstract, and full text using predefined eligibility criteria, with exclusions applied for non-policy documents, clinical guidance, sub-national strategies, and non-UK materials. Duplicate records were removed prior to screening. The final dataset comprised three national policy documents that met inclusion criteria and formed the analytic corpus. All documents were publicly available, and no proprietary software or instruments were required. Data management and screening decisions were documented iteratively to enable transparency and reproducibility of the search and selection process, as summarised in the PRISMA flow diagram.

Institutions

• Teesside University

  North Yorkshire, Middlesbrough

Departments

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