How do NHS decision makers choose when, how or if to introduce innovations in health care?

UCL is looking at evidence use in decision-making in the NHS, and decision-makers’ preferences for different types of evidence. The aim of the study is to improve both the production and use of evidence in decision-making on introducing innovations.

What evidence do decision-makers use? How do they use the evidence available?

To find out, the researchers have created a short 15 minute survey for NHS decision-makers and those involved in the decision making process. They are inviting healthcare professionals from across the country to complete this survey.

Innovations in the NHS can take many forms, from new clinical or administrative processes to new technologies or clinical tools to new clinical or diagnostic pathways. The types of evidence that can be used to justify the adoption or diffusion of an innovation can also take many forms, from ‘hard’ evidence like budget impact to ‘soft’ evidence like staff ‘buy-in’. Understanding these and their relative impacts can help appropriate evidence to be developed for decision-makers to help the adoption of innovation in the NHS. The study by UCL, called DECIDE (Decision in health care to introduce or diffuse innovations using evidence) is funded the Health Foundation and led by Dr. Simon Turner.

Find out more and take part

If you would like to find out more click here or to take part in the study, you can do so here.

The survey should take around 15 minutes and is voluntary. No personal details will be asked of you and published reports about this survey will not contain any personal details. If you have any queries, please contact Nicholas Swart at n.swart@ucl.ac.uk