Study protocol

Protocol for economic evaluation alongside the IMPLEMENT cluster randomised controlled trial

Duncan Mortimer^1,2 , Simon D French³ , Joanne E McKenzie³ , Denise A O'Connor³ and Sally E Green³ for the IMPLEMENT study group

¹  Centre for Health Economics, Faculty of Business & Economics, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

²  Health Economics, Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia

³  Monash Institute of Health Services Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

author email corresponding author email

Implementation Science 2008, 3:12doi:10.1186/1748-5908-3-12

Published:	22 February 2008

Abstract

Background

The recent development and publication of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for acute low back pain (LBP) has resulted in evidence-based recommendations that, if implemented, have the potential to improve the quality and safety of care for acute LBP. While a strategy has been specified for dissemination of the CPG for acute LBP in Australia, there is no accompanying plan for active implementation. Evidence regarding the cost-effectiveness of active implementation of CPGs for acute LBP is sparse. The IMPLEMENT study will consider the incremental benefits and costs of progressing beyond development and dissemination to implementation.

Methods/design

Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses alongside the IMPLEMENT cluster randomised controlled trial (CRCT) from a societal perspective to quantify the additional costs (savings) and health gains associated with a targeted implementation strategy as compared with access to the CPG via dissemination only.

Discussion

The protocol provided here registers our intent to conduct an economic evaluation alongside the IMPLEMENT study, facilitates peer-review of proposed methods and provides a transparent statement of planned analyses.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN012606000098538