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Systems approach to health service design, delivery and improvement: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Komashie, Alexander  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0715-4729
Ward, James 
Dickerson, Terry 

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the evidence base for a systems approach to healthcare design, delivery or improvement. DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analyses. METHODS: Included were studies in any patients, in any healthcare setting where a systems approach was compared with usual care which reported quantitative results for any outcomes for both groups. We searched Medline, Embase, HMIC, Health Business Elite, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO and CINAHL from inception to 28 May 2019 for relevant studies. These were screened, and data extracted independently and in duplicate. Study outcomes were stratified by study design and whether they reported patient and/or service outcomes. Meta-analysis was conducted with Revman software V.5.3 using ORs-heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. RESULTS: Of 11 405 records 35 studies were included, of which 28 (80%) were before-and-after design only, five were both before-and-after and concurrent design, and two were randomised controlled trials (RCTs). There was heterogeneity of interventions and wide variation in reported outcome types. Almost all results showed health improvement where systems approaches were used. Study quality varied widely. Exploratory meta-analysis of these suggested favourable effects on both patient outcomes (n=14, OR=0.52 (95% CI 0.38 to 0.71) I2=91%), and service outcomes (n=18, OR=0.40 (95% CI 0.31 to 0.52) I2=97%). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that a systems approaches to healthcare design and delivery results in a statistically significant improvement to both patient and service outcomes. However, better quality studies, particularly RCTs are needed.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017065920.

Description

Keywords

health policy, organisation of health services, quality in health care, Delivery of Health Care, Health Services, Humans, Qualitative Research, Systems Analysis

Journal Title

BMJ Open

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2044-6055
2044-6055

Volume Title

11

Publisher

BMJ
Sponsorship
Academy of Medical Sciences (SGL023\1048)
Health Foundation, NIHR