title: Evaluability assessment. A catalyst for program change and improvement.
abstract: Using a local cross-cultural health service program as a framework, the authors describe the process of an evaluability assessment (EA) and illustrate how it can be a catalyst for program change. An EA is a process that improves evaluation. The key product was a logic model, which traces the links between objectives, activities, and outcomes. Four key insights emerged. First, the distinction of who was included and excluded in the target population, originally ambiguous, was clearly defined. Second, through the development of the logic model, staff members were able to analyze their goals and assumptions and critically explore possible gaps between expected outcomes and activities. Third, the EA enabled reflection on and clarification of both process and outcome measures. Finally, global goals were pared down to better match the project capacity. Developing an evaluability assessment was a cost-effective way to collaborate with staff to develop a clearer, more evaluable project.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 4N1. thurston@ucalgary.ca
authors.forename: Wilfreda E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Thurston
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hatfield
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care