PS1-23: The Environmental Scan: A Valuable Community Health Research Tool

Abstract

Background and Aims: The environmental scan (ES) focuses on the identification, collection, and translation of external information that may potentially influence an organization’s decision making process. An ES allows an organization to address social, economic, political, and technical issues that may not be readily apparent and enables a comparative evaluation of the organization’s internal strengths and weaknesses. Through understanding external elements and internal processes, the organization can respond in a more auspicious and productive manner. Health researchers are employing ESs to build on established knowledge with the goal of improving the design and effectiveness of community health programs. Methods: There is no one correct methodology for conducting an ES, but typically, ESs are characterized by several features. Initially, a broad spectrum of issues is examined, involving social, political, technological and other trends. Second, information may be gathered from a variety of sources, including literature reviews, surveys, interviews, focus groups, and site visits. Third, critical analysis and dissemination of collected data is promoted by the recruitment of experts from both inside and outside the fields being scanned. ESs can utilize a wide sweep of information sources, ranging from formal, established data, such as published reports, to informal, personal contacts. Accordingly, scans may employ varying degrees of high to low technologies, ranging from Internet searches to conversations with community leaders. Results: Through the analysis of environmental or contextual factors, researchers can gather information to guide the design of effective health programs that are geared toward and incorporate the needs of specific communities. Recently, health researchers have used ESs to assess and improve services in a variety of community projects, including mental health, nutrition, women’s health and cancer screening. These studies verify that the ES can be a vital tool in providing overall strategic direction of project development, in promoting community activation, and in raising awareness of future studies. Conclusion: Because of its flexible framework, the ES is a creative tool for health decision making. It is important that health researchers are knowledgeable about what this instrument entails in order to determine its potential use in community health research.