Organizational evaluation of an interprofessional study unit--results from a Danish case study

This article presents results from an organizational evaluation of an interprofessional clinical study unit (ICS) in Denmark. The aim of this study was to test whether the ICS was based on a durable organizational concept and to identify the prerequisites for the unit to be successful. The evaluation framework was "theory-based evaluation". A program theory was developed based on the concepts and expectations of the steering committee which initiated and designed the ICS. The program theory was tested for conflicts of interest among the stakeholders related to the ICS regarding prerequisites for the study unit to function organizationally. Further analysis examined whether these conditions had been present during the project period and whether all elements had been correctly implemented. The results suggested that although the ICS had taken into account stakeholders' requests, it was not possible to fully implement all the necessary conditions identified as essential for the unit to function successfully. The results generate a set of recommendations for future ICS units to function successfully.