Developing a framework of quality indicators for healthcare business cases: a qualitative document analysis consolidating insight from expert guidance and current practice

BMC Health Services Research

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[1] 0000 0001 0048 3880, grid.33692.3d, Bristol City Council, Bristol, UK;0000 0004 1936 7486, grid.6572.6, Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK;0000 0004 1936 7603, grid.5337.2, Health Economics at Bristol, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK;0000 0004 0380 7336, grid.410421.2, The National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care West (NIHR CLAHRC West) at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK;

关键词: Business case;    Health providers;    Quality;    Qualitative;    Document analysis;    National Health Service;    UK;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12913-019-4269-9

来源: publisher

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundBusiness cases are used to provide a structured justification in favour of investing in new projects, services or interventions. Despite the use of business cases in determining how limited resources will be allocated within England’s National Health Service (NHS), guidance concerning how to develop and evaluate business cases in the context of healthcare is inconstant and of varying relevance. This study aimed to develop a new framework of quality indicators for healthcare-related business cases by analysing the content of expert guidance documents and a sample of NHS business cases.MethodsQualitative document analysis was conducted on guidance documents (n = 7) and existing NHS business case documents (n = 18). Documents were purposefully sampled using criteria to ensure the framework reflected a diverse spread of expert opinion, and a varied sample of example business cases from current practice. Data were analysed using thematic and content analysis, and are presented in a visualised framework.ResultsSeven themes were identified within the qualitative document analysis (purpose, strategic priorities, options, benefits, costs, risks and evaluation). These themes were described and presented with a framework of quality indicators for healthcare-related business cases.ConclusionTo ou`r knowledge, this is the first framework of business case quality indicators designed specifically for use in a healthcare context. The framework presented in this study has implications for how business cases are developed and evaluated by decision makers. In the future it would be beneficial to investigate how the framework could be used in practice as a tool for critical appraisal.

【 授权许可】

CC BY