Table 1 Sampling framework for case studies
From: Study protocol: DEcisions in health Care to Introduce or Diffuse innovations using Evidence (DECIDE)
Innovation case study | Setting | Innovation stage | Evidence | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Reconfiguring stroke services | Acute; Greater Manchester (GM) and other areas reviewing services | Diffusion | ‘Strong’; research shows improvements in mortality in London [18, 19] | Major system change; involves multiple providers and commissioners |
2. New national guidance on referral for suspected cancer | Primary care; GP practices in two local health economies with different mix of actors supporting implementation (clinical networks, third sector) | New | ‘Inconclusive’; national guidance lowers referral threshold [22], with the aim of reducing emergency admissions and diagnosing at earlier stage | Top-down change; responses of GPs and actors at local health economy level |
3. New virtual clinics within extended network of eye services | Acute/community outreach; clinics across large metropolitan area and surrounding region | Diffusion | ‘Weak’; local pilot data suggesting reduced patient journey time [26], but lack of patient outcome data and evidence for networked clinics | Organisational network; from pilot to wider implementation of networked clinics |