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Frequently Asked Questions

Listed below are some of the most frequently asked questions about ICPs. If you cannot find the information you are looking for, please e-mail us directly:

Shortcut to Questions & Answers:

What evidence is there to show that ICPs 'work'?
What do I do if there is no evidence to back up the care contained in our local ICP?
How can I get full participation of all disciplines when drafting and developing our ICP?
What is the best way to sell the benefits of the ICP tool to clinical staff?
What is the secret to a successful ICP project?
Where can I and/or my team or organisation find training or information about ICPs?

Questions and Answers….

Q - What evidence is there to show that ICPs 'work'?
A - Many anecdotal studies show that ICPs can result in reduced lengths of stay, cost savings, improved patient outcomes, reduced complications, improved quality of record keeping etc. When setting out to evaluate the ICP tool, it is important to establish the local aims and outcomes for its use. The tool has many potential benefits if used thoughtfully and 'strategically'; a careful Benefits Realisation Plan may increase the chances of a successful outcome.

One view commonly expressed, is whether the ICP tool really needs to be based on evidence? The care set out within an ICP may be evidence-based, but the ICP itself is simply the framework for delivering that care. Another view, however, argues that ICPs are far more than a just a framework for care delivery; that the implications of using such a powerful process re-enginnering tool are great and that this demands rigorous and controlled evaluation and research.

See the Venture website Reference Library for relevant supporting research publications and articles.

Q - What do I do if there is no evidence to back up the care contained in our local ICP?
A - Historically, many interventions and clinical practices have developed and evolved based on anecdotal observation of good outcome, rather than on solid research and evaluation. If a comprehensive Critical Appraisal of the available literature, standards and guidelines etc does not turn up any appropriate evidence for best practice, it is generally held to be acceptable for multidisciplinary teams to agree a consensus of locally agreed best practice, based on their expert, clinical experience.

Other options to employ may include looking into service delivery elsewhere to establish whether others may have evidence available which demonstrate good outcomes. Engaging the use of an expert or expert panel in the field to help validate your practice may also be a way forward.

Q - How can I ensure full participation of all disciplines when drafting, developing and reviewing our ICPs?
A - There may be a myriad of reasons for individuals or teams resisting involvement. Our Venture Courses address these issues in detail and help you develop and hone the skills you will need to deal with the many situations you may encounter on your way. In the meantime, here are a few ideas to get you started:

It is critical to the success of ICPs that each and every member of the team want to develop them, and are committed to participating in the process. For this reason, taking the time to 'sell' the ICP tool to the team before they start to write one and ensuring that everyone is committed to the task up front, will be time well spent.
Ensure there is good notice of any meetings, and that they are scheduled at the most convenient times for the team to be involved; start and end on time.
The enticement of food and refreshments at lunchtimes is known to improve attendance!
To avoid losing motivation and momentum, ensure that every meeting is a tangible, valuable use of the clinicians' and others' time.

Q - What is the best way to sell the benefits of the ICP tool to clinical staff?
A - There are so may potential benefits to using ICPs that when presenting these to your local teams, be mindful that you tailor your information to appeal to your target audience. Wherever possible, make the effort to get to know the team in question in order to best meet their needs. You will soon find that well planned and implemented ICPs fast sell themselves!

Q - What is the secret to a successful ICP project?
A - A comprehensive project plan is crucial to ensure the success of an ICP project. Therefore, to ensure that your ICP project runs smoothly, make sure that you set aside enough time for project planning. Your detailed project plan will include in it, amongst other things, a month by month, or week by week plan of the actions required for your ICP developments, together with the resources required to achieve this plan effectively. Set out clear aims and objectives for each stage of the project and what needs to be done to achieve those objectives. At completion of the project, evaluate whether the objectives were achieved or not.

Q - Where can I and/or my team or organisation find training or information about ICPs?
A - Venture Training & Consulting Ltd is an organisation dedicated to improving healthcare through the dissemination of information and the coordination of a UK-wide rolling programme of courses and events related to ICPs. In addition to the comprehensive choice of standard courses, Venture offers a tailored programme of project support on site at your organisation. If you need help, advice or a chat - anything from writing your first ICP, finding out where others are doing similar work or to find out more about the ICP tool and ICP conceptual model, call us on Tel +44(0)1243 790 970 or e-mail us directly for further information.