Table 1 Overview of the four stages of the ERIC process

Aim 1

Stage 1

Refined compilation of discrete implementation strategies

Modified Delphi, 2 feedback rounds and consensus meeting

•Expert consensus on key concepts (definitions & ratings)

Modified Delphi

Stage 2

Post-consensus compilation of discrete implementation strategies

Sort the strategies in to subcategories; rate each strategy in terms of importance and feasibility

•Weighted and unweighted cluster maps

Concept Mapping

•Ladder maps

•Go-zone graphs

•Importance and feasibility ratings for each strategy

Aim 2

Stage 3

•Discrete implementation strategies

Essential ratings are obtained for each strategy for three temporal frames given each scenario

For each practice change:

Menu-Based Choice

•Practice change narrative

•Relative Essentialness Estimates for each strategy given each scenario

•Narratives of contextual variations of practice change scenarios

•A rank list of the most common strategy recommendation combinations

•A summary of strategies that may serve as compliments and substitutes for each other

Stage 4

•Menu-Based Choice data summaries for each scenario

Facilitated discussion; live polling of consensus reached during discussion

For each practice change:

Facilitated Consensus Meeting

•Importance and feasibility ratings from the concept mapping task

•Expert consensus regarding which discrete implementation strategies are of high importance

•Context specific recommendations