A model research design for comprehensive evaluation of a public home health agency

The Mississippi State Department of Health developed a five-stage model to perform an evaluation study of its home health services program. A singular element in the process was the deferral of developing the final research design structure until the second stage of evaluation was completed. Primary areas of investigation included identification of verifiable, nonverifiable, and erroneously believed factors affecting program operations; recommendations for changes that could be made in light of research findings to improve program operations both to deliver services and to maximize program earnings; and elements affecting program performance held in common with other home health programs in Mississippi and in other states.