Design characteristics and statistical methods used in interrupted time series studies evaluating public health interventions: Protocol for a review

Abstract

Introduction: An interrupted time series (ITS) design is an important observational design used to examine the effects of an intervention or exposure. This design has particular utility in public health where it may be impracticable or infeasible to use a randomised trial to evaluate health system-wide policies, or examine the impact of exposures (such as earthquakes). There have been relatively few studies examining the design characteristics and statistical methods used to analyse ITS designs. Further, there is a lack of guidance to inform the design and analysis of ITS studies. This is the first study in a larger project that aims to provide tools and guidance for researchers in the desig..