Table 2. Interrupted time-series model results comparing monthly resolved atrial fibrillation (AF) diagnoses per 1000 AF diagnoses across time periods by country
EnglandNorthern IrelandScotland
Time periodaEstimate (95% CI)Estimate (95% CI)Estimate (95% CI)
Pre-introduction trend0.01 (-0.00 to 0.02)0.01 (-0.00 to 0.02)0.01 (-0.00 to 0.02)
Shift-change when QOF introduced1.55 (1.11 to 2.00)1.54 (0.91 to 2.18)0.79 (0.04 to 1.53)
Post-introduction trend-0.01 (-0.02 to -0.01)-0.02 (-0.02 to -0.01)-0.01 (-0.02 to -0.00)
Shift-change when QOF removed––-0.39 (-3.21 to 2.42)
Post-removal trend––-0.00 (0.14 to 0.13)

  • a Pre-introduction of QOF was from January 2000–March 2016, introduction of the QOF was in April 2006, and removal of the QOF (in Scotland only) was in April 2016. QOF = Quality and Outcomes Framework