Hi Paul, 
 
I am currently doing my PhD which is a realist evaluation of an integrated care pathway for those with life limiting illnesses requiring palliative care. I published the protocol of this realist evaluation last year. The reference is: 
 
Dalkin SM, Jones D, Lhussier M, Cunningham B. Understanding integrated care pathways in palliative care using realist evaluation: a mixed methods study protocol. BMJ Open 2012; 2: e001533
 
I hope this is of some help to you. Good luck! 

Many Thanks,
Sonia Dalkin

Post Graduate Research Student

School of Health and Life Sciences

Northumbria University

Email: [log in to unmask]

Phone: 07792768226


________________________________________
From: Realist and Meta-narrative Evidence Synthesis: Evolving Standards [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Paul Griffiths [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 14 March 2013 09:12
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Realist Evaluation of Hospital Length of Stay

Hi all,

I am aware that this mail group is more about realist synthesis than realist evaluation, but I thought I would post in the hope that someone may be able to help!

For my PhD I am planning to undertake a realist evaluation of length of stay in hospital for elective patients having a joint replacement procedure - the basic question I am asking is: 'What are the key factors that influence length of stay for elective patients in NHS hospitals'. As I am sure people are aware achieving optimum length of stay for patients is often viewed as a positive outcome to enable both effective and efficient care delivery - so I am planning to research how initiatives to reduce length of stay work (or don't work) and why.

I am in the process of developing my detailed research protocol to explain what I will be doing and why with the relevant ethical considerations etc...

I would be very grateful if anyone can point me to any realist evaluation protocols that would may be helpful as I develop mine, as this is a first for me!

Any help, comments, thoughts are gratefully received! Thanks, Paul
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