Table 1 Overview of methods employed in the study, matched to study objectives

1. Measure changes in the profile of services delivered to patients across the spectrum of risk, focussing on emergency admissions to hospital

Anonymised routine linked data (including Prism data)

All patients from participating practices

Baseline

6 months

18 months

Questionnaire data: Client Services Receipt Inventory (CSRI)

Random sample of patients from participating practices (n = 800 at each time point)

Baseline

6 months

18 months

2. Estimate the costs of implementing Prism and costs of resulting changes in the utilisation of health and social care resources

Questionnaire data: Client Services Receipt Inventory (CSRI); SF12

Random sample of patients from participating practices (n = 800 at each time point)

Baseline

6 months

18 months

Structured telephone interviews

Prism users from all participating practices (n = up to 40)

18 months

3. Assess the cost effectiveness of Prism by estimating cost per quality-adjusted life year based on changes in patient health outcomes

Questionnaire data: SF12

Random sample of patients from participating practices (n = 800 at each time point)

Baseline

6 months

18 months

Structured telephone interviews

Prism users from all participating practices

18 months

4. Describe processes of change associated with Prism: how it is understood, communicated, adopted and used by practitioners, managers, local commissioners and policy makers

Focus groups

GPs, practice nurses and managers from participating practices (n = 4); local health services managers and community staff managers (n = 1)

Baseline

Interviews

GPs from participating practices who are unable to attend FGs (n = 12);

Baseline

health board managers from sites not participating in main study (n = 6); policy makers and national health service managers (n = 5)

Interviews

Prism users from half of all participating practices, purposively sampled

3 months and 9 months after going live

Questionnaire

Prism users from remaining half of all participating practices

3 months and 9 months after going live

Focus group

Local health services managers and community staff managers (n = 1)

18 months

Interviews

Health service managers from ABMU (n = 3)

18 months

Structured telephone interviews

Prism users from all participating practices (n = up to 40)

18 months

5. Assess the effect of Prism on patient satisfaction

Questionnaire data: Quality of Care Monitor

Random sample of patients from participating practices (n = 800 at each time point)

Baseline

6 months

18 months

6. Assess the technical performance of Prism

Prism data

Prism risk data for patients at participating practices

Baseline

6 months

18 months

Anonymised routine linked data

Routine health data

Baseline

6 months

18 months

Structured telephone interviews

Prism users from all participating practices (up to 40)

18 months