Evaluating improvement.
Evaluating quality improvement interventions requires a variety of methods. These range from quantitative methods, such as randomised controlled trials, to quasi-experimental (controlled before-and-after and interrupted time series) and uncontrolled before-and-after studies, including clinical audits, to determine whether improvement interventions have had an effect. Qualitative methods are often also used to understand how or why an intervention was successful and which components of a complex or multifaceted intervention were most effective. Finally, mixed methods designs such as action research or case study methods are widely used to design and evaluate improvement interventions.
Community and Health Research Unit (CaHRU), School of Health and Social Care, College of Social Science, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK. nsiriwardena@lincoln.ac.uk.
A Niroshan
AN
Siriwardena
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, UK.
Steve
S
Gillam
D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D012107:Research Design