A randomized trial of Evidence-based OutReach (EBOR): rationale and design

There is increasing interest in evaluating the methods used to implement the findings from medical research. This paper describes the Evidence-based OutReach (EBOR) trial, which is the first large randomized study in the United Kingdom that will evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of educational outreach visits by trained pharmacists who are delivering messages derived from four evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. General practices form the unit of allocation and analysis. The study design addresses important factors that may influence the effectiveness of the intervention, such as the pharmacist who delivers the messages, the health authority in which practices are located, and the size of a practice.