Evaluation of placement and coordination of geriatric services using a health program evaluation grid

This article describes how the Health Program Evaluation Grid method of clarifying program objectives was applied to an innovative program (PCS) set up to assist the placement of the elderly into appropriate long-term care programs/agencies. The advantages and disadvantages of the Grid method are outlined in terms of how the Grid may be used by program managers as their first step in evaluation of a health program for which they are responsible. The Grid method provided a basis for setting evaluation priorities for PCS, and methods of executing the highly ranked evaluation priorities were discussed. The use of the Grid in development of objectives for three other Ontario health programs assisted by the Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics of McMaster University has shown further the usefulness of the approach.