Stephanie Assmann-Polus, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität – München

CBA und ITS studies for evaluation of complex interventions

This doctoral thesis assesses two non-randomised study designs, controlled before-after (CBA) and interrupted time series (ITS) studies. These quasi-experimental study designs are increasingly used to evaluate complex interventions common in public health and health care. Despite this increase, clarity about the publication and application characteristics, such as terminology, and particularly the methodological characteristics of these study designs is missing. This PhD project investigates in detail the publication, application and methodological features of CBA and ITS studies and provides a first discussion about key characteristics. In a second step, lessons learnt will feed in the conduct of an ITS study evaluating the effectiveness of the Bavarian smoking ban on perinatal health.