Simple rules for evidence translation in complex systems: A qualitative study (20 June 2018)

Summary

This qualitative study in BMC Medicine aimed to improve understanding of the reality of making and sustaining improvements in complex healthcare systems. It focused on understanding the implications of complexity theory, introducing a framework known as Successful Healthcare Improvement From Translating Evidence in complex systems (SHIFT-Evidence). This approach is accompanied by a series of ‘simple rules’ that aim to make complexity navigable (whilst recognising that it will never be simple), providing actionable guidance to both practice and research. The authors concluded that the SHIFT-Evidence framework provides a tool to guide practice and research. The ‘simple rules’ have potential to provide a common platform for academics, practitioners, patients and policymakers to collaborate when intervening to achieve improvements in healthcare.