Using natural experiments to evaluate population health and health system interventions: new framework for producers and users of evidence
Natural experiments are widely used to evaluate the impacts on health of changes in policies, infrastructure, and services. The UK Medical Research Council (MRC) and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) have published a new framework for conducting and using evidence from natural experimental evaluations. The framework defines key concepts and describes recent advances in designing and planning evaluations of natural experiments, including the relevance of a systems perspective, mixed methods, and stakeholder involvement. It provides an overview of the strengths, weaknesses, applicability, and limitations of the range of methods now available, and makes good practice recommendations for researchers, funders, publishers, and users of evidence.
Authors
- Mhairi Campbell (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4416-7270)
- Jim Lewsey (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3811-8165)
- Ruth Dundas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3836-4286)
- Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6593-9092)
- David Ogilvie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0270-4672)
- John Green (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2315-5326)
- Martin White (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7700-2352)
- Peter Craig (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7653-5832)
- Manuela Deidda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0921-6970)
- Frank de Vocht (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3631-627X)
Institutions
- University of Exeter (GB)
- University of Cambridge (GB)
- University of Bristol (GB)
- Wellcome Centre of Cultures and Environments of Health (GB)
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit (GB)
- NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (GB)
- MRC Epidemiology Unit (GB)
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West (GB)
- University of Glasgow (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BMJ
- Published
- 2025-03-28
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2024-080505
- Citations
- 23
- Primary Topic
- Health Policy Implementation Science
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 64.75
Funders
- Wellcome Trust
- National Institute for Health and Care Research
- Medical Research Council