Twelve tips for planning and conducting a participatory evaluation

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Program Evaluation
• Health Professions Education

Background:

• Participatory evaluation is a collaborative approach between program evaluators and stakeholders.
• Effective evaluation is crucial for improving medical education programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide practical tips for planning and conducting participatory evaluations in medical education.
• To guide evaluators in maximizing stakeholder engagement and program impact.

Main Methods:

• The study outlines key considerations for initiating and managing participatory evaluations.
• It suggests strategies for stakeholder selection, framework development, and method integration.
• The use of technology and capacity-building dimensions are also discussed.

Main Results:

• Successful participatory evaluation requires careful planning, stakeholder engagement, and appropriate methods.
• Recognizing the importance of judgment and assessing the setting's appropriateness are crucial.
• Initiating participation early and selecting stakeholders carefully enhance evaluation effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• Participatory evaluation, when thoughtfully implemented, can significantly enhance medical education programs.
• Utilizing dimensions like decision-making control and depth of participation refines the evaluation process.
• Publishing and reflecting on participatory evaluation use builds valuable capacity.