Environmental Scan Information

Environmental Scan Considerations

Even though the essence of Patient-Centered Core Impact Sets (PC-CIS) is that it is led by and speaks largely to impacts identified as most important by patients, the input and experiences of other key stakeholders are also important to include.  Hearing from and involving other stakeholders helps to make the PC-CIS optimally applicable and usable across a variety of contexts.

A logical place to begin this search is via existing literature reviews and environmental scans.  These compilations can exist in myriad forms including:

  • Published reports, peer-reviewed and gray literature, and government reports from sources like the Congressional Research Service
  • Clinical practice guidelines
  • Existing Core Outcome Sets (COS)

There may also be relevant, compiled insights from groups of stakeholders such as clinical professional societies, Health Technology Assessment (HTA) bodies, or research entities in the form of position statements, formal recommendations, or guidances.

Similar to the evaluation of existing patient data on impacts, the use of other sources of existing data should trigger a review for validity and appropriateness of methodology. Additionally, there are tools for stakeholder mapping to ensure the full complement of inputs are being leveraged. A suite of tools and guidance available through the European Union’s (EU’s) Responsible Research & Innovation can be valuable as you evaluate the soundness and representativeness of your evidence base. 

In evaluating the completeness of the “other-stakeholder data,” it is helpful to consider the types of stakeholders that are important to include. Depending on the population or disease state for which the PC-CIS is being developed, a variety of stakeholders may be important — including, but not limited to:

  • Clinicians and other health care providers
  • Researchers and clinical trial coordinators
  • Health economists
  • Purchasers or payers (i.e., insurance companies and employers)
  • Biopharmaceutical, device, or life-science companies
  • Educational institutions
  • Regulators and oversight bodies

Arthritis Use Case

Arthritis Foundation, Environmental Scan Information