Design of implementation studies for quality improvement programs: An effectiveness-cost-effectiveness framework

K. Cheung and N. Duan

American Journal of Public Health, 2014, vol. 104, issue 1, e23-e30

Abstract: Translational research applies basic science discoveries in clinical and community settings. Implementation research is often limited by tremendous variability among settings; therefore, generalization of findings may be limited. Adoption of a novel procedure in a community practice is usually a local decision guided by setting-specific knowledge. The conventional statistical framework that aims to produce generalizable knowledge is inappropriate for local quality improvement investigations. We propose an analytic framework based on cost-effectiveness of the implementation study design, taking into account prior knowledge from local experts. When prior knowledge does not indicate a clear preference between the new and standard procedures, local investigation should guide the choice. The proposed approach requires substantially smaller sample sizes than the conventional approach. Sample size formulae and general guidance are provided.

Keywords: cost benefit analysis; economics; evidence based medicine; human; methodology; procedures; program development; total quality management; translational research; article; economics; program development, Cost-Benefit Analysis; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Program Development; Quality Improvement; Research Design; Translational Medical Research, Cost-Benefit Analysis; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Program Development; Quality Improvement; Research Design; Translational Medical Research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2013.301579_5

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301579

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