A new framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions: Update of Medical Research Council guidance
Complex interventions are commonly used in the health and social care services, public health practice, and other areas of social and economic policy that have consequences for health. Such interventions are delivered and evaluated at different levels, from individual to societal. Examples include a new surgical procedure, the redesign of a health care programme, and a change in welfare policy. The UK Medical Research Council (MRC) published a framework for researchers and research funders on developing and evaluating complex interventions in 2000 and revised guidance in 2006.[1] Although these documents continue to be widely used and are now accompanied by a range of more detailed guidance on specific aspects of the research process,[2–5] there have been important conceptual, methodological and theoretical developments since 2006. These developments have been addressed in a new framework commissioned by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) and the MRC.[6] The framework aims to help researchers work with other stakeholders to identify the key questions about complex interventions, and to design and conduct research with a diversity of perspectives and appropriate choice of methods. ; The work was funded by the NIHR (Department of Health and Social Care 73514) and Medical Research Council (MRC). Additional time on the study was funded by grants from the MRC for Kathryn Skivington (MC_UU_12017/11, MC_UU_00022/3), Lynsay Matthews, Sharon Anne Simpson, Laurence Moore (MC_UU_12017/14, MC_UU_00022/1), Peter Craig (MC_UU_12017/15, MC_UU_00022/2), Martin White (MC_UU_12015/6 and MC_UU_00006/7). Additional time on the study was also funded by grants from the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health Directorates for Kathryn Skivington (SPHSU11 and SPHSU18), Lynsay Matthews, Sharon Anne Simpson and Laurence Moore (SPHSU14 and SPHSU16), and Peter Craig (SPHSU13 and SPHSU15). Kathryn Skivington and Sharon Anne Simpson were also supported by an MRC Strategic Award (MC_PC_13027). JBl received ...