SynthesisBMJ open2019
Scanning the horizon: a systematic literature review of methodologies.
Synthesis in BMJ open, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 33 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
33 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Which interventions for alcohol use should be included in a universal healthcare benefit package? An umbrella review of targeted interventions to address harmful drinking and dependence.BMC public health · 2023Pooled it
- The Movement Disorder Society Criteria for the Diagnosis of Multiple System Atrophy.Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society · 2022Pooled it
- How Can Multi-Criteria Portfolio Decision Analysis Help Mitigate Mis/Disinformation?Risk analysis : an official publication of the Society for Risk Analysis · 2026Article
- Developing an early scientific advice framework for health technology assessment in Saudi Arabia: insights from global practices and expert consultations.Cost effectiveness and resource allocation : C/E · 2026Article
- Horizon Scanning for Medical Technologies: Methodological Framework Development Study of the Medical Innovation Scanning Techniques (MIST) Framework.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Article
- Reporting Horizon Scanning Studies: Prototype Development Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Article
- Horizon scanning at EMA: preparing for the medicines of the future.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Article
- Creating an integrated innovation system to enable the adaptation and uptake of health-system innovations in Canada: insights from citizen panels and a national stakeholder dialogue.Health research policy and systems · 2025Article
- Horizon Scanning Methods for Health Care Technology Innovation Identification: Rapid Scoping Review of Patent Research Studies.Interactive journal of medical research · 2025Review
- Building capacity in horizon scanning, early awareness, and disinvestment: a framework for education and training.International journal of technology assessment in health care · 2025Article
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the future of Iran's Primary Health Care (PHC) system.BMC primary care · 2025Article
- Orphan medical devices: addressing the regulatory and access gaps in the EU and US.Frontiers in public health · 2025Article
- New or repurposed: a novel classification system for the horizon scanning of innovative medicines.International journal of technology assessment in health care · 2024Article
- Ready, Set, Sort! A User-Guide to Card Sorts for Community-Engaged Empirical Bioethics.Journal of empirical research on human research ethics : JERHRE · 2024Article
- Mapping horizon scanning systems for medical devices: similarities, differences, and lessons learned.International journal of technology assessment in health care · 2023Review
- Looking at the fringes of MedTech innovation: a mapping review of horizon scanning and foresight methods.BMJ open · 2023Review
- Closing the loop between horizon scanning and health technology assessment - an overview of topics submitted for appraisal in England.International journal of technology assessment in health care · 2023Article
- Emerging integrated care models for children and youth with mental health difficulties in Norway: a horizon scanning study.BMC health services research · 2023Review
- What is the current state of research concerning self-efficacy in exercise behaviour? Protocol for two systematic evidence maps.BMJ open · 2023Article
- Horizon Scanning in Tissue Engineering Using Citation Network Analysis.Therapeutic innovation & regulatory science · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesSociety is confronted with the rapid emergence of innovation in science and technology. To manage this, horizon scanning is being adopted globally to identify, assess and prioritise innovations and trends at an early stage of their development. This enables decision-makers to be better informed and to prepare for change. The aim of this paper is to systematically identify and evaluate horizon scanning methodologies employed in the healthcare and biomedical fields.
methodsA systematic literature review was performed using PubMed and Embase and was supplemented with grey literature searches (2008-2018). The principal methodologies used in horizon scanning were extracted.
resultsApproximately 100 articles were summarised in a literature map. The search revealed many examples of horizon scanning across disciplines. Challenges, such as the need to refine prioritisation criteria, manage uncertainty inherent in the findings and improve the dissemination of identified issues, have been highlighted.
conclusionHorizon scanning, when performed appropriately, is a flexible and potentially reliable tool, with a wide variety of methods. Horizon scanning can inform and influence decision-making, through identifying opportunities and challenges, from an organisational to an international level. Further research to identify the most effective methodologies available would add depth to this landscape and enable the evolution of best practice to most efficiently anticipate novel developments and innovations.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.