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Can program evaluation be saved from its enthusiasts?

The American Journal of Psychiatry

|November 1, 1976

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Program evaluation, using scientific methods to assess agency work, is popular but rarely impacts operations. Unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment, so evaluations should be selective and impactful.

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Area of Science:

Health Services Research
Program Evaluation Methodologies
Mental Health Administration

Background:

Program evaluation, employing scientific techniques to measure agency work value, has gained significant traction in mental health service planning.
Despite enthusiasm, there's a notable scarcity of completed program evaluation studies.
Existing studies show limited evidence of substantial impact on program or agency operations.

Purpose of the Study:

To critically assess the current state and practical impact of program evaluation in mental health services.
To address the gap between the enthusiasm for program evaluation and its demonstrated effectiveness.
To provide recommendations for the judicious application of program evaluation.

Main Methods:

Literature review of existing program evaluation studies in mental health.

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Analysis of the reported outcomes and impacts of conducted evaluations.

Conceptual analysis of the relationship between evaluation enthusiasm and practical application.

Main Results:

Few program evaluation studies have been completed in the mental health sector.
Evidence of significant impact from program evaluations on agency operations is lacking.
Overenthusiasm for program evaluation can lead to disillusionment when results do not meet inflated expectations.

Conclusions:

Program evaluation should be implemented selectively in mental health services.
Application of program evaluation should be reserved for cases where demonstrable impact is feasible.
A more realistic and targeted approach to program evaluation is necessary for effective mental health service improvement.