2.6. Sample Size
The sample size was calculated using the number of ER visits as the main primary outcome. In order to detect an effect size of 0.6 ER visits per year, with a standard deviation of 1.2 with a 5% level of significance, a 90% of statistical power set, assuming a conservative intra-cluster correlation coefficient of 0.06 (each pilot site defined as a cluster) and a drop-out rate of 30%, 1692 patients will be required (846 per branch) across pilot sites.For the qualitative approach, a purposeful sampling will be used to select the participants, recruiting those participants who might provide in-depth and detailed information about the ADLIFE intervention. The pre-intervention interviews for the implementation assessment will involve: one medical director, six healthcare professionals (two physicians, two general practitioners, and two nurses), and two IT staff for each pilot site. The post-intervention interviews will be structured in the same way, adding three to six patients and three to six informal caregivers for each site.