Evaluating continuing education: a focus on the client

This article presents the evaluation methodology used in an NIMH funded continuing education project for mental health professionals. The 96 participants who completed the course in three distinct cycles came both as work teams from agencies and as individuals and had potential impact on 1700 staff and 6913 clients. Forty-eight quantifiable and two qualitative dependent measures were used to assess participants' perceptions of the course, knowledge and attitudes, clinical behaviors as reflected in work environment and ward atmosphere, and impact on client status. A controlled experimental design with pretest, posttest, and follow-up data collection points was planned. Problems encountered and evaluation findings suggest the need for different types of evaluation strategies.