The evaluation will consist of four work packages (WP):
WP1. Mapping relevant literature and working with the BRACE Service Leaders’ panel to identify stakeholders at the ICB level to establish an Advisory Group to support the evaluation team with insights into the ongoing organisation of ICBs.
WP2. Experiences of national stakeholders. We will interview 10-15 individual stakeholders to understand what is currently working well and what is needed for ICBs, in partnership with GP practices and primary care networks, to build capacity for, develop and support quality improvement activities.
WP3. Qualitative case study work. We will select four ICB region case studies to explore in-depth how general practice quality improvement programmes are understood and experienced locally by stakeholders at ICB, primary care network and GP practice levels. We will interview stakeholders, including primary care and quality improvement leads at ICBs and primary care networks, GP partners, practice managers, salaried GPs, practice nurses and other clinical and administrative staff involved in or impacted by quality improvement (N=10-12 interviews per case study site). We will also conduct focus groups with GP practice patient participation groups (N=1-2 focus groups per case study site) and review local policy documents and reports about the quality improvement programmes. To a gain a wider breadth of understanding of stakeholder experiences we will supplement the interviews with an online survey with bespoke questions for each stakeholder group.
WP4. Analysis, synthesis and sharing of learning. We will draw on relevant theories and frameworks, such as assemblage thinking and concepts such as power, resistance and opinion leaders, in our analysis to develop insights within and across case studies. Two online workshops will be held to rapidly test and refine findings, one workshop with NHS England, ICB leads, GPs and selected members from the BRACE advisory panels and another workshop with stakeholders from each case study site.