Related Experiment Videos
Prototype of an organising framework for healthcare decarbonisation research: an exploratory classification study
Mila Petrova1, Fanny Burrows2, Jan W van der Scheer3
1Primary Care Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
BMJ Open
|May 7, 2026
Summary
A new framework organizes healthcare decarbonisation research, identifying gaps and supporting policy. The NHS-SOS framework aids research coordination and funding for a greener healthcare system.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Health Services Research
- Climate Change Mitigation
Background:
- Healthcare contributes significantly to carbon emissions.
- Existing research classification schemes are fragmented.
- A structured approach is needed to guide healthcare decarbonisation research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a comprehensive organising framework for healthcare decarbonisation research.
- To support the coordination, funding, and application of research in policy and practice.
- To move beyond simple emissions scopes (1, 2, 3) or loose thematic lists.
Main Methods:
- An exploratory classification study analyzed over 160 research questions.
- Data was extracted from systematic reviews, stakeholder documents, and funder sources.
- An emerging framework was tested against additional literature to identify gaps.
Main Results:
- The developed framework, termed NHS-SOS, includes six top-level themes: Natural resource use, Healthcare settings, Solutions, Stakeholders, Organisational levers, and Scientific measurement.
- The framework details 39 subthemes at level two and 86 at level three.
- It represents current and missing research areas in healthcare decarbonisation.
Conclusions:
- The NHS-SOS framework provides a structured, empirically derived overview of healthcare decarbonisation research.
- It aims to foster shared understanding, prioritization, and action.
- The framework serves as a living tool to enhance coherence in a fragmented research field.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
At the different levels of the healthcare system, we see varying methods of healthcare used. These methods include managed care systems, case management, and primary healthcare.
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
01:29Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System
The issues and trends in healthcare delivery are constantly changing. The COVID-19 pandemic is one recent issue that wreaked havoc on healthcare systems, causing a shortage of healthcare workers, high demand for medicines and supplies, and increased medical expenditure due to a lack of insurance. Other issues include rising healthcare costs and care fragmentation.
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
01:17Classification of Illness
The meaning of illness is individualized to each person who experiences an alteration in health. In contrast, disease is a medical term indicating a pathological change in the structure and function of the body or mind. It is a condition that has specific symptoms and boundaries.
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe and...
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe and...
01:21Tertiary Healthcare System
Specialized care provided over an extended period is called tertiary care. Usually, a primary or secondary care physician will refer a patient to tertiary care. A patient's maximum physical and mental function is restored in tertiary care, which is caused due to the impact of a chronic illness or condition. Tertiary care aims to achieve the highest level of functioning possible while managing chronic illness. For example, a patient who falls and fractures their hip will need secondary care to...
01:11Secondary Healthcare System
Secondary healthcare is offered by a specialist, generally in hospitals or clinics for patients referred by primary healthcare providers. It occurs when a person has an illness or injury that requires specific medical care. Secondary care is often referred to as acute care. Secondary care can range from uncomplicated care to repair a minor laceration or treat a strep throat infection to more complicated emergent care, such as treating a head injury sustained in an automobile accident. Whatever...
01:25Models of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention I
A model is a theoretical way to understand a concept or an idea. Models can overcome barriers to health regardless of diverse economic and cultural backgrounds. In addition, models make the task easier by providing different ways to approach complex issues. There are two major health promotion models: the health belief model and the health promotion model.
The health belief model (HBM) attempts to predict health-related behavior in specific belief patterns. According to the HBM, a person's...
The health belief model (HBM) attempts to predict health-related behavior in specific belief patterns. According to the HBM, a person's...