Secular trends and evaluation of complex interventions

"Understanding the rising tide phenomenon is important for a more nuanced interpretation of null results arising in the context of system-wide improvement. Recognition that a rising tide may have predisposed to a null result in one health system cautions against generalising the result to another health system where strong secular trends are absent."

Secular trends and evaluation of complex interventions: the rising tide phenomenon
YF Chen, K Hemming, AJ Stevens, RJ Lilford
BMJ Quality and Safety 2016;25:303-310 doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2015-004372

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How to build up the actionable knowledge base

"We demonstrate the utility of a method known as ‘best fit framework synthesis’ (BFFS) in offering a ubiquitous and versatile means by which to collect, analyse and evaluate improvement work in healthcare."

How to build up the actionable knowledge base: the role of ‘best fit’ framework synthesis for studies of improvement in healthcare
A Booth, C Carroll
BMJ Quality and Safety 2015;24:700-708 doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2014-003642

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How to study improvement interventions

"This article offers an overview of possible methods for the study of improvement interventions. The choice of available designs is wide, but debates continue about how far improvement efforts can be simultaneously practical (aimed at producing change) and scientific (aimed at producing new knowledge), and whether the distinction between the practical and the scientific is a real and useful one."

How to study improvement interventions: a brief overview of possible study types
M C Portela, PJ Pronovost, T Woodcock, P Carter, M Dixon-Woods
BMJ Quality and Safety 2015;24:325-336 doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2014-003620

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