Impact of Medical Legal Partnerships: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background Medical Legal Partnerships (MLPs) are collaborations between healthcare and legal services that aim to address the health-harming impacts of unmet legal needs. Better characterization of existing MLP models would be a resource for new and expanding MLPs to glean insight into challenges and opportunities to consider. This scoping review aimed to examine and map outcomes reported by MLPs. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Index to Legal Periodicals databases were searched and studies reporting qualitative or quantitative outcomes of a MLP were eligible for inclusion. Independent dual review of titles, abstracts, and full-texts was conducted and the reported outcomes were analyzed. Results Thirty studies met inclusion criteria. Children and families were the most commonly served populations. The most frequently addressed legal needs pertained to housing, income, and personal/family stability. MLPs were associated with improved health, health services use, and legal outcomes. Education of healthcare professionals was associated with increased knowledge and confidence in addressing social needs. Discussion Overall, MLPs effectively partner healthcare and legal services to mitigate the health-harming consequences of unmet legal needs. MLPs facilitate access to care in legal circumstances that would otherwise exacerbate health conditions, and largely benefit communities that have been historically underserved by medical and legal systems.