Table 2 Selection criteria

Care could be delivered by a range of health professionals.

• In at least some of the partner countries, care is delivered either by new professions or in new roles for existing professions.

• The contribution of various professions differs across partners.

Burden to society.

• High prevalence of clinical condition.

• Significant morbidity and mortality are associated with the condition.

Routine data available on health outcomes.

• Outcomes of processes.

• Intermediate outcomes.

• Clinical outcomes.

Except for new professional roles, procedures and clinical management are similar across national boundaries.

• Care is delivered in primary and secondary settings.

One selected care pathway will mainly be located in the primary care setting.

• Other selected care pathways will mainly be in the secondary care setting.

It is desirable that one care pathway involves:

• Acute and chronic management and surgical procedure.

• Prevalence among those aged 65 and over.

If possible one pathway might involve:

• Predominantly a need for generalist skills.

• Predominantly a need for specialised skills.