Effects of a demand-led evidence briefing service on the uptake and use of research evidence by commissioners of health

Description

Effects of a demand-led evidence briefing service on the uptake and use of research evidence by commissioners of health services: a controlled before and after study services.

Aims

to evaluate whether access to a demand-led evidence service improves uptake and use of research evidence by NHS commissioners compared with less intensive and less targeted alternatives.

Method

A controlled before and after study involving CCGs in the North of England. Participating CCGs received one of three interventions to support the use of research evidence in their decision-making: 1) consulting plus responsive push of tailored evidence; 2) consulting plus an unsolicited push of non-tailored evidence; or 3) standard service unsolicited push of non-tailored evidence. Our primary outcome was change at 12 months from baseline of a CCGs ability to acquire, assess, adapt and apply research evidence to support decision-making. Secondary outcomes were will clinical leads and managers’ intentions to use research evidence in decision making. A process evaluation evaluated the nature and success of the interactions both within the sites and between commissioners and researchers delivering the service.

Background

Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are mandated to use research evidence effectively to ensure optimum use of resources by the National Health Service (NHS), both in accelerating innovation and in stopping the use of less effective practices and models of service delivery. We intend to evaluate whether access to a demand-led evidence service improves uptake and use of research evidence by NHS commissioners compared with less intensive and less targeted alternatives.

People

Carl Thompson
Kate Farley, 
Paul M Wilson (Manchester)
Duncan Chambers, (Sheffield)
Liz Bickerdike, (York)
Ian S Watt, (York)
Mark Lambert (NHS England) 
Rhiannon Turner (Queens, Belfast)

Funding body : NIHR Health Services and Delivery Research programme (project reference: 12/5002/18). £563,976.67 

Contact: Professor Carl Thompson