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[Evaluation in the health sector: concepts and methods]
A P Contandriopoulos1, F Champagne, J L Denis
1Département d'Administration de la santé et G.R.I.S., Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada. contanda@mdas.umontreal.ca
Revue D'Epidemiologie Et De Sante Publique
|January 10, 2001
Summary
This study proposes a universal framework for health service evaluation, defining evaluation and interventions. It outlines normative evaluation and evaluative research, including six analysis types and four finalities to improve understanding and practice.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Program Evaluation
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Evaluation is integral to learning and health services, encompassing diverse realities.
- Existing evaluation practices lack a unified framework, hindering interdisciplinary understanding and application.
- A broad, universal conceptual framework is needed for consistent and effective health service evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a comprehensive conceptual framework for health service evaluation.
- To enhance mutual understanding among diverse stakeholders involved in health service evaluation.
- To improve the quality and relevance of evaluation practices and their application.
Main Methods:
- Defining evaluation as a process of judging intervention value using scientifically valid and socially legitimate information.
- Defining 'intervention' as any organized system of action aimed at modifying phenomena.
- Categorizing evaluation into normative evaluation and evaluative research, with six distinct analysis types (strategic, logical, productivity, effects, efficiency, implementation).
Main Results:
- The proposed framework encompasses normative evaluation and evaluative research, detailing six analytical approaches.
- Identified four official finalities for evaluation processes: strategic, formative, summative, and fundamental.
- Highlighted evaluation's role in fostering coherence and debate among actors by reconsidering objectives, practices, and context.
Conclusions:
- The conceptual framework provides a universal structure for understanding and conducting health service evaluations.
- This framework facilitates better communication, improved evaluation performance, and more pertinent use of findings.
- Evaluation, when used to foster debate rather than control, is crucial for improving organized actions and health services.