In search of the quickest way to disseminate health care innovations

RESEARCH QUESTION Innovations in health care are slowly disseminated in The Netherlands and elsewhere. That's why the researchers defined their research question: What is the quickest way of disseminating health care innovations? RESEARCH METHOD The design was a comparative, qualitative case study. The researchers invited a group of 52 authors to describe their 21 health care innovations. All case descriptions were published in a book of 261 pages. RESULTS Six types of innovations were distinguished. Most innovations simultaneously improved quality from the patient's point of view (18 out of 21 cases), professional pride (18/21) and speed of introduction (16/21). Clinical outcomes were better or comparable in 13 of the 21 cases. Brainstorm sessions took place with the innovators and the 22 experts on the quickest way to disseminate the innovations more widely in The Netherlands. These sessions looked for the critical success factors for the dissemination of the 21 projects and identified nine. The following factors were identified: 1. A clear distribution of responsibilities between professionals within the innovation (20/21). 2. Enough educational programs about the innovations for the professionals (18/21). 3. Adequate ICT support for the running of the innovations (15/21). 4. Suitable publicity for the innovations (12/21). 5. An adequate payment system for innovative care providers (7/21). 6. The right size of catchment's area for the innovations (6/21). 7. Enough professional freedom to adopt the innovation (5/21). 8. Fast managerial and public decision-making about the adoption of the innovation (3/21). 9. The embedding of the innovations in quality management assurance policy (1/21). DISCUSSION The results of the study had some influence on the political health agenda in The Netherlands, leading to greater emphasis on innovations and quality of care.