RADAR-ES: A Methodological Framework for Conducting Environmental Scans in Health Services Delivery Research

Aim: To propose a methodological framework for conceptualizing, planning, and implementing an environmental scan (ES) in health services delivery research (HSDR). Background: An ES is a methodological approach employed to examine a range of practices, policies, issues, programs, technologies, trends...

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Main Authors: Daniel A. Nagel, Patricia Charlton, Rima Azar, Lilly Koenig, Kara Burns, Terri Kean
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-08-01
Series:Journal of Primary Care & Community Health
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319251363783
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author Daniel A. Nagel
Patricia Charlton
Rima Azar
Lilly Koenig
Kara Burns
Terri Kean
author_facet Daniel A. Nagel
Patricia Charlton
Rima Azar
Lilly Koenig
Kara Burns
Terri Kean
author_sort Daniel A. Nagel
collection DOAJ
description Aim: To propose a methodological framework for conceptualizing, planning, and implementing an environmental scan (ES) in health services delivery research (HSDR). Background: An ES is a methodological approach employed to examine a range of practices, policies, issues, programs, technologies, trends, and opportunities from a variety of data sources to inform program or policy development. Despite the wide use of ESs in health care to inform decision-making, a lack of methodological guidance exists to support researchers in planning and conducting an ES in HSDR. Methods: Adapting McMeekin et al’s process for developing methodological frameworks, we identified literature that described approaches to planning and conducting ESs in addition to exemplar articles that featured ESs in HSDR. We integrated original research findings and synthesized data from all sources to generate an evidence-informed methodological framework. Results: We developed RADAR-ES that consists of 5 phases and is informed by 4 guiding principles: (1) R ecognizing the Issue; (2) A ssessing Factors for ES; (3) D eveloping an ES Protocol; (4) A cquiring and Analyzing the Data; and (5) R eporting the Results. Conclusion: RADAR-ES will provide comprehensive guidance for researchers and health services stakeholders who plan and conduct ESs in HSDR.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2150-1327
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series Journal of Primary Care & Community Health
spelling doaj-art-cb33bb5e1217427ea58c0540cec1ae802025-08-20T03:46:50ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Primary Care & Community Health2150-13272025-08-011610.1177/21501319251363783RADAR-ES: A Methodological Framework for Conducting Environmental Scans in Health Services Delivery ResearchDaniel A. Nagel0Patricia Charlton1Rima Azar2Lilly Koenig3Kara Burns4Terri Kean5University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, CanadaUniversity of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, CanadaPsychobiology of Stress and Health Lab,Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB, CanadaUniversity of Manitoba, Winnipeg, CanadaUniversity of Melbourne, VIC, AustraliaUniversity of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, CanadaAim: To propose a methodological framework for conceptualizing, planning, and implementing an environmental scan (ES) in health services delivery research (HSDR). Background: An ES is a methodological approach employed to examine a range of practices, policies, issues, programs, technologies, trends, and opportunities from a variety of data sources to inform program or policy development. Despite the wide use of ESs in health care to inform decision-making, a lack of methodological guidance exists to support researchers in planning and conducting an ES in HSDR. Methods: Adapting McMeekin et al’s process for developing methodological frameworks, we identified literature that described approaches to planning and conducting ESs in addition to exemplar articles that featured ESs in HSDR. We integrated original research findings and synthesized data from all sources to generate an evidence-informed methodological framework. Results: We developed RADAR-ES that consists of 5 phases and is informed by 4 guiding principles: (1) R ecognizing the Issue; (2) A ssessing Factors for ES; (3) D eveloping an ES Protocol; (4) A cquiring and Analyzing the Data; and (5) R eporting the Results. Conclusion: RADAR-ES will provide comprehensive guidance for researchers and health services stakeholders who plan and conduct ESs in HSDR.https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319251363783
spellingShingle Daniel A. Nagel
Patricia Charlton
Rima Azar
Lilly Koenig
Kara Burns
Terri Kean
RADAR-ES: A Methodological Framework for Conducting Environmental Scans in Health Services Delivery Research
Journal of Primary Care & Community Health
title RADAR-ES: A Methodological Framework for Conducting Environmental Scans in Health Services Delivery Research
title_full RADAR-ES: A Methodological Framework for Conducting Environmental Scans in Health Services Delivery Research
title_fullStr RADAR-ES: A Methodological Framework for Conducting Environmental Scans in Health Services Delivery Research
title_full_unstemmed RADAR-ES: A Methodological Framework for Conducting Environmental Scans in Health Services Delivery Research
title_short RADAR-ES: A Methodological Framework for Conducting Environmental Scans in Health Services Delivery Research
title_sort radar es a methodological framework for conducting environmental scans in health services delivery research
url https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319251363783
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AT lillykoenig radaresamethodologicalframeworkforconductingenvironmentalscansinhealthservicesdeliveryresearch
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