Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

From programme theory to logic models for multispecialty community providers: a realist evidence synthesis

Sheaff, Rod; Brand, Sarah L; Lloyd, Helen; Wanner, Amanda; Fornasiero, Mauro; Briscoe, Simon; Valderas, Jose M; Byng, Richard; Pearson, Mark

Authors

Rod Sheaff

Sarah L Brand

Helen Lloyd

Amanda Wanner

Mauro Fornasiero

Simon Briscoe

Jose M Valderas

Richard Byng



Contributors

Abstract

Background
The NHS policy of constructing multispecialty community providers (MCPs) rests on a complex set of assumptions about how health systems can replace hospital use with enhanced primary care for people with complex, chronic or multiple health problems, while contributing savings to health-care budgets.

Objectives
To use policy-makers’ assumptions to elicit an initial programme theory (IPT) of how MCPs can achieve their outcomes and to compare this with published secondary evidence and revise the programme theory accordingly.

Design
Realist synthesis with a three-stage method: (1) for policy documents, elicit the IPT underlying the MCP policy, (2) review and synthesise secondary evidence relevant to those assumptions and (3) compare the programme theory with the secondary evidence and, when necessary, reformulate the programme theory in a more evidence-based way.

Data sources
Systematic searches and data extraction using (1) the Health Management Information Consortium (HMIC) database for policy statements and (2) topically appropriate databases, including MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, PsycINFO, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA). A total of 1319 titles and abstracts were reviewed in two rounds and 116 were selected for full-text data extraction. We extracted data using a formal data extraction tool and synthesised them using a framework reflecting the main policy assumptions.

Results
The IPT of MCPs contained 28 interconnected context–mechanism–outcome relationships. Few policy statements specified what contexts the policy mechanisms required. We found strong evidence supporting the IPT assumptions concerning organisational culture, interorganisational network management, multidisciplinary teams (MDTs), the uses and effects of health information technology (HIT) in MCP-like settings, planned referral networks, care planning for individual patients and the diversion of patients from inpatient to primary care. The evidence was weaker, or mixed (supporting some of the constituent assumptions but not others), concerning voluntary sector involvement, the effects of preventative care on hospital admissions and patient experience, planned referral networks and demand management systems. The evidence about the effects of referral reductions on costs was equivocal. We found no studies confirming that the development of preventative care would reduce demands on inpatient services. The IPT had overlooked certain mechanisms relevant to MCPs, mostly concerning MDTs and the uses of HITs.

Limitations
The studies reviewed were limited to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries and, because of the large amount of published material, the period 2014–16, assuming that later studies, especially systematic reviews, already include important earlier findings. No empirical studies of MCPs yet existed.

Conclusions
Multidisciplinary teams are a central mechanism by which MCPs (and equivalent networks and organisations) work, provided that the teams include the relevant professions (hence, organisations) and, for care planning, individual patients. Further primary research would be required to test elements of the revised logic model, in particular about (1) how MDTs and enhanced general practice compare and interact, or can be combined, in managing referral networks and (2) under what circumstances diverting patients from in-patient to primary care reduces NHS costs and improves the quality of patient experience.

Study registration
This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42016038900.

Funding
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and supported by the NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care South West Peninsula.

Citation

Sheaff, R., Brand, S. L., Lloyd, H., Wanner, A., Fornasiero, M., Briscoe, S., …Pearson, M. (2018). From programme theory to logic models for multispecialty community providers: a realist evidence synthesis. Health Services and Delivery Research, 6(24), 1-210. https://doi.org/10.3310/hsdr06240

Acceptance Date May 1, 2018
Publication Date Jun 1, 2018
Deposit Date Jul 27, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Health Services and Delivery Research
Print ISSN 2050-4349
Electronic ISSN 2050-4357
Publisher NIHR Journals Library
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 6
Issue 24
Pages 1-210
DOI https://doi.org/10.3310/hsdr06240
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/950523
Publisher URL https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/hsdr/hsdr06240#/full-report
Additional Information Contractual start date: 7-2016; Editorial review begun: 7-2017; Accepted for publication: 11-2017

Files

Report (1.4 Mb)
PDF

Copyright Statement
© Queen’s Printer and Controller of HMSO 2018. This work was produced by Sheaff et al. under the terms of a commissioning
contract issued by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. This issue may be freely reproduced for the purposes of
private research and study and extracts (or indeed, the full report) may be included in professional journals provided that
suitable acknowledgement is made and the reproduction is not associated with any form of advertising. Applications for
commercial reproduction should be addressed to: NIHR Journals Library, National Institute for Health Research, Evaluation,
Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park, Southampton SO16 7NS, UK.





You might also like



Downloadable Citations