Learning from Rapid Evaluation in Health and Care

What five years of work in rapid evaluation in health and care have taught us

Background

Rapid evaluation is increasingly used in health and social care to provide evidence about the design, implementation, experience and early outcomes of service innovations in a complex and typically fast-moving context. The methods used in rapid evaluation are often those of applied health and care research, adapted to enable or mitigate the rapid approach. Established in 2018, the work of two National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)-funded rapid service evaluation teams [Birmingham RAND and Cambridge Rapid Evaluation (BRACE) team and Rapid Service Evaluation Team (RSET) from University College London and the Nuffield Trust)] have used their combined experience of undertaking 19 studies to produce learning in the form of an essay and a joint workshop, both of which are detailed below.

Essay: Rapid evaluation of service innovations in health and social care: key considerations

This essay explores the emerging field of rapid evaluation in health and social care, drawing out the ways in which it is distinctive from or similar to other forms of applied research. It draws closely on the experience of two National Institute for Health and Care Research rapid service evaluation teams established in 2018, of which all authors of this essay are members. Reflection on the rapid evaluation teams’ body of work is used to highlight methodological and operational considerations for researchers, practitioners and policy-makers interested in the commissioning, conduct and application of rapid evaluations in health and social care.

Rapid evaluation of service innovations in health and social care: key considerations Smith J, Ellins J, Sherlaw-Johnson C, Vindrola-Padros C, Appleby J, Morris S, et al is published in the HSDR journal on the NIHR Journals Library website.

Workshop: Learning from rapid evaluations in health and care

This invitation-only event in June 2022 was organised by NIHR Birmingham, RAND and Cambridge Evaluation Centre (BRACE) and the NIHR Rapid Service Evaluation Team (RSET). It brought together those who carry out, fund and use the findings of rapid evaluations from across the UK. The workshop aimed to share and explore experiences, learning and best practice in rapid evaluation, including insights from BRACE and RSET’s five years as NIHR-funded rapid service evaluation teams.

This was a highly interactive workshop, with a mix of plenary sessions, panel discussions and group activities, including UK-based and international speakers. It focused on key aspects of designing, delivering and maximising the uptake and impact of rapid evaluations.

Topics for discussion included:

1. Rapid evaluation – introduction, overview and key lessons

2. When is rapid appropriate? When to progress or not to progress with a study