Table 2 Direct comparisons ( N =8 reviews)

Beach 2006 [20]

N: 27 studies

3/4 studies reported multifaceted interventions to be more effective than a single intervention

Generally effective (75%)

Improving Health Care Quality for Racial/Ethnic Minorities: A Systematic Review of the Best Evidence Regarding Provider and Organization Interventions

Study designs: randomized controlled trials, clinical trials

• 1/1 study favoured multifaceted vs. reminders

Populations: physicians, nurses, other

• 1/1 study favoured multifaceted vs. distribution of educational materials

Settings: primary care practices, outpatient clinics, communities, other

• 1/2 studies favoured multifaceted vs. educational meetings

AMSTAR (quality) score: 5

Hulscher (2001) [21]

N: 55 studies

7/8 comparisons (across N = 6 studies) state multifaceted interventions are more effective than single interventions

Generally effective (88%)

Interventions to Implement Prevention in Primary Care

Study designs: randomized controlled trials, controlled before-after

• 5/6 comparisons favoured multifaceted vs. group education (5 studies)

Populations: physicians, nurses, other

• 2/2 comparisons favoured multifaceted vs. reminders (2 studies)

Settings: primary care practices, outpatient clinics, medical centres

AMSTAR (quality) score: 5

Jamtvedt (2006) [22]

N: 118 studies

6/19 studies state multifaceted interventions are more effective than single interventions (audit and feedback alone).

Generally ineffective (32%)

Audit and Feedback: Effects on Professional Practice and Health Care Outcomes

Study designs: randomized controlled trials

Population: any kind of health-care professional

Setting: any kind of organization

AMSTAR (quality) score: 8

Legare (2012) [27]

N: 21

2/3 studies state multifaceted interventions are more effective than single interventions

Mixed effects (67%)

Patients' Perceptions of Sharing in Decisions: A Systematic Review of Interventions to Enhance Shared Decision Making in Routine Clinical Practice

Study designs: randomized controlled trials, cluster randomized controlled trials

• 2/2 studies favoured multifaceted vs. patient mediated

Populations: physicians

• 0/1 study favoured multifaceted vs. educational meeting

Settings: primary care practices, outpatient clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, communities

AMSTAR (quality) score: 7

Marinopoulos (2007) [23]

N: 136 studies

6/8 studies state multifaceted interventions (use of multiple media) are more effective than single interventions

Generally effective (75%)

Effectiveness of Continuing Medical Education

Study designs: randomized controlled trials, before-after, observational

• 3/5 studies favoured multifaceted over distribution of educational materials

Populations: physicians, pharmacists, nurses, other

• 2/2 studies favoured multifaceted over educational meetings

Settings: primary care practices, hospitals, long-term care facilities

• 1/1 study favoured multifaceted over audit and feedback

AMSTAR (quality) score: 7

O'Brien (2007) [24]

N: 69 studies

12/12 studies state multifaceted interventions are more effective than single interventions

Generally effective (100%)

Educational Outreach Visits: Effects on Professional Practice and Health Care Outcomes

Study designs: randomized controlled trials

• 3/3 studies favoured multifaceted vs. audit and feedback

Populations: any kind of health-care professional

• 7/7 studies favoured multifaceted vs. distribution of educational materials

Settings: primary care practices, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, pharmacies, communities

• 1/1 study favoured multifaceted vs. educational meetings

• 1/1 study favoured multifaceted vs. reminders

AMSTAR (quality) score: 8

Weinmann (2007) [25]

N: 18 studies (in 17 papers)

2/5 studies state multifaceted interventions are more effective than single interventions (distribution of educational materials)

Mixed effects (40%)

Effects of Implementation of Psychiatric Guidelines on Provider Performance and Patient Outcome: Systematic Review

Study designs: randomized controlled trials, controlled trials, before-after

Populations: physicians, nurses, pharmacists, mental health clinicians, medical assistants

Settings: primary care practices, hospitals, communities

AMSTAR (quality) score: 5

Wensing (1994) [6]

N: 75 studies

1/3 studies state multifaceted interventions more effective than single interventions

Mixed effects (33%)

Single and Combined Strategies for Implementing Changes in Primary Care: A Literature Review

Study designs: randomized controlled trials, controlled trials, before-after, cohort

• 0/1 study favoured multifaceted over distribution of educational materials

Populations: physicians

• 0/1 study favoured multifaceted over reminders

Settings: primary care practices

• 1/1 study favoured multifaceted over audit and feedback

AMSTAR (quality) score: 4