title: Home visitation practice: models, documentation, and evaluation.
abstract: This article presents an evaluation of an in-home support program for at-risk mothers and their children. The program was multidisciplinary and was focused on development of parenting capacity and child-development competencies. The authors examine issues and problems that resulted from the blending of two models of practice-stabilization/crisis intervention and early intervention/health promotion-and describe the outcome-based evaluation that was used to assess initial and ongoing child development, parent-child interaction, family environment, and social support. When documentation and evaluation of practice and its effect on outcomes proved a considerable challenge, the authors developed a classification system to describe practice in three areas: situations addressed, interventions used, and referrals made. The article describes challenges surrounding program development, implementation, and evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, Clinical Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G3. jane.drummond@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Jane E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Drummond
authors.forename: Angela E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Weir
authors.forename: Gerard M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Kysela
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004282:Documentation; D005260:Female; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011637:Public Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*