Methodology of conceptual review in the health system

Conceptual review is a creative research method for generating new knowledge in the context of a vague and complex concept that helps to explain and clarify the concept, its components and its relation to related concepts. This study aimed to explain the methodology of conceptual review in the health system.

Articles related to the conceptual research method were searched and collected in four databases (i.e., PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Science Direct) and two search engines (e.g., Google and Google Scholar) between January 1950 and September 2021. Finally, 83 articles were selected for final review and analyzed through narrative analysis.

This study was conducted using scoping review between October and December 2021. The conceptual review study is a systematic, scientific and objective inquiry that helps to identify and explain the dimensions, components, features and applications of a particular concept by defining, synthesizing and interpreting the findings of studies. It results in clarification of the meaning of concepts. An eight- steps protocol was introduced for conceptual review including concept selection, entry and exit criteria definition; selection of databases and search strategies; selection and reporting of studies using flowcharts; evaluating the validity of selected studies; extracting information about the definition, components, antecedents, consequences and evaluation criteria of the concept from selected studies, synthesizing data and developing a conceptual model and drawing conclusions from the synthesized findings. In addition, the structure of a conceptual review article was described and a checklist for evaluation of a conceptual review study was introduced.

A conceptual review study is a method that defines the concept by searching for scientific sources about a concept and their comprehensive review, explaining their characteristics, antecedents, consequences and applications to determine the position of the concept beyond their vocabulary definition. The conceptual review helps to develop existing theories by identifying the components of a complex concept and its antecedents and consequences and establishing a logical connection between them.