Evidence based implementation of complex interventions (original) (raw)
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- Evidence based implementation of complex interventions
Editorials BMJ 2009;339 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b3124 (Published 12 August 2009) Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b3124
- Richard Thomson, professor of epidemiology and public health
- 1Institute of Health and Society, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH
- richard.thomson{at}newcastle.ac.uk
Multi-method evaluation and high quality reporting are essential
The Ottawa ankle rules can reduce unnecessary radiographs in patients with ankle injury; two controlled before and after trials showed benefit—they reduced radiographs by 26% and 28%, with no adverse consequences.1 The rules have been described as “a safe, cost effective, and reliable approach to assessing injured ankles with impressive consistency.”2 Given this, surely all staff in all emergency departments should be using these rules. This is not the case, however—surveys have shown variable uptake. Furthermore, even when the rules are promoted within a service with a carefully developed implementation plan, as described by Bessen and colleagues in the linked quality improvement report (doi:10.1136/bmj.b3056), the effect seems modest.3 Why should this be?
Recognition of the problems of implementation is not new—it is hard enough for drugs with proved efficacy, yet alone complex interventions such as the Ottawa ankle rules. Although we need evidence to tell us which interventions work and should be widely implemented, we also need evidence on what can effectively enable wide implementation.4 This is the focus …
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