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Application of high-quality evidence-based treatments into clinical settings occurs at a disappointingly low rate. Quality-improvement (QI) research focuses on applying such interventions to everyday practice, with the goal of better patient care and outcomes.
Studies on QI interventions differ in their methodological strengths (table). Authors of this Users' Guide to the Medical Literature explain study aspects that clinicians must consider to evaluate the validity of results and to appraise factors that determine how well research results apply to local practice. Some questions that should be asked are as follows:
Did the study design minimize risk for bias?
What was the attrition rate for study participation, and how long were participants …
