Recent years have seen a shift in health care and social work that has moved collaborative work to the center of everyday practice. But has that change led to better outcomes for the people who use these social services? Evaluating Outcomes in Health and Social Care takes up that question--as well as the crucial underlying question of how best to measure those outcomes. This new edition brings the book fully up to date with the latest research findings and offers more tools, frameworks, and international examples of best practices to aid practitioners as they evaluate partnerships.
Published in association with Community Care This book provides an introduction to evaluation, outcomes and partnerships, summarising recent trends in policy and research, setting out useful frameworks and approaches and aiding policy makers and practitioners to more effectively evaluate partnerships.
The National Roundtable on Health Care Quality was established in 1995 by the Institute of Medicine. The Roundtable consists of experts formally appointed through procedures of the National Research Council (NRC) who represent both public and private-sector perspectives and appropriate areas of substantive expertise (not organizations). From the public sector, heads of appropriate Federal agencies serve. It offers a unique, nonadversarial environment to explore ongoing rapid changes in the medical marketplace and the implications of these changes for the quality of health and health care in this nation. The Roundtable has a liaison panel focused on quality of care in managed care organizations. The Roundtable convenes nationally prominent representatives of the private and public sector (regional, state and federal), academia, patients, and the health media to analyze unfolding issues concerning quality, to hold workshops and commission papers on significant topics, and when appropriate, to produce periodic statements for the nation on quality of care matters. By providing a structured opportunity for regular communication and interaction, the Roundtable fosters candid discussion among individuals who represent various sides of a given issue.
The second edition of the Impact Evaluation in Practice handbook is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to impact evaluation for policy makers and development practitioners. First published in 2011, it has been used widely across the development and academic communities. The book incorporates real-world examples to present practical guidelines for designing and implementing impact evaluations. Readers will gain an understanding of impact evaluations and the best ways to use them to design evidence-based policies and programs. The updated version covers the newest techniques for evaluating programs and includes state-of-the-art implementation advice, as well as an expanded set of examples and case studies that draw on recent development challenges. It also includes new material on research ethics and partnerships to conduct impact evaluation. The handbook is divided into four sections: Part One discusses what to evaluate and why; Part Two presents the main impact evaluation methods; Part Three addresses how to manage impact evaluations; Part Four reviews impact evaluation sampling and data collection. Case studies illustrate different applications of impact evaluations. The book links to complementary instructional material available online, including an applied case as well as questions and answers. The updated second edition will be a valuable resource for the international development community, universities, and policy makers looking to build better evidence around what works in development.
This User’s Guide is intended to support the design, implementation, analysis, interpretation, and quality evaluation of registries created to increase understanding of patient outcomes. For the purposes of this guide, a patient registry is an organized system that uses observational study methods to collect uniform data (clinical and other) to evaluate specified outcomes for a population defined by a particular disease, condition, or exposure, and that serves one or more predetermined scientific, clinical, or policy purposes. A registry database is a file (or files) derived from the registry. Although registries can serve many purposes, this guide focuses on registries created for one or more of the following purposes: to describe the natural history of disease, to determine clinical effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of health care products and services, to measure or monitor safety and harm, and/or to measure quality of care. Registries are classified according to how their populations are defined. For example, product registries include patients who have been exposed to biopharmaceutical products or medical devices. Health services registries consist of patients who have had a common procedure, clinical encounter, or hospitalization. Disease or condition registries are defined by patients having the same diagnosis, such as cystic fibrosis or heart failure. The User’s Guide was created by researchers affiliated with AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program, particularly those who participated in AHRQ’s DEcIDE (Developing Evidence to Inform Decisions About Effectiveness) program. Chapters were subject to multiple internal and external independent reviews.
This User’s Guide is a resource for investigators and stakeholders who develop and review observational comparative effectiveness research protocols. It explains how to (1) identify key considerations and best practices for research design; (2) build a protocol based on these standards and best practices; and (3) judge the adequacy and completeness of a protocol. Eleven chapters cover all aspects of research design, including: developing study objectives, defining and refining study questions, addressing the heterogeneity of treatment effect, characterizing exposure, selecting a comparator, defining and measuring outcomes, and identifying optimal data sources. Checklists of guidance and key considerations for protocols are provided at the end of each chapter. The User’s Guide was created by researchers affiliated with AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program, particularly those who participated in AHRQ’s DEcIDE (Developing Evidence to Inform Decisions About Effectiveness) program. Chapters were subject to multiple internal and external independent reviews. More more information, please consult the Agency website: www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov)
"This is an accessible and important text. It is to be commended for bringing together policy and practice on assessment and information sharing across England, Scotland and Wales." - Professor Michael Preston-Shoot, University of Bedfordshire "This new text is a welcome addition to the literature relating to inter-professional working. It offers students from a range of professions a comprehensive guide to current social policy and authoritative guidance on how to conduct a safe and effective assessment." - Soo Moore, City University, London Shared assessment is the standardised approach to assessment and the sharing of information and documentation within and between health and social care. This book offers students and practitioners a step-by-step guide to the process, helping them to overcome some of the anxieties of change and providing realistic guidance on the process. Key features of the book include: - Comprehensive coverage - follows a logical structure looking at context, policy, and practice - A focus on the practitioner′s understanding of an individual′s experience and the roles of staff within the process - Discussion of confidentiality and anti-discriminatory practice - Four chapter-long case studies that take the reader through the stages of assessment and subsequent roles and responsibilities. The book includes pedagogical features such as a glossary of terms, a Comparative Grid for Standardised Assessment Frameworks, examples of carers′ assessments, reflective questions and further reading. It is essential reading for students and practitioners working across health and social care, particularly in social work, nursing and mental health.
"Nurses play a vital role in improving the safety and quality of patient car -- not only in the hospital or ambulatory treatment facility, but also of community-based care and the care performed by family members. Nurses need know what proven techniques and interventions they can use to enhance patient outcomes. To address this need, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), with additional funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has prepared this comprehensive, 1,400-page, handbook for nurses on patient safety and quality -- Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. (AHRQ Publication No. 08-0043)." - online AHRQ blurb, http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/nurseshdbk/
This book sets in context the role of outcome measurement research - taking you step-by-step through the research process and beyond to consider the wider professional and ethical issues involved. This book will provide you with everything you need to know and more, helping you develop the skills and knowledge you need to become a successful research-informed practitioner. Written for trainees and counselling and psychotherapy practitioners, this book: - Provides you with a brief overview and history of research and measurement in mental health contexts. - Sets out a framework for understanding the core features of outcome measures and their scope. - Takes you step-to-step through the process of implementing a SMART outcome evaluation. - Addresses the benefits and limitations of outcome measures research for the individual client, practitioner and service provider. Packed full of case studies, activities and tools for real-life practice, this book throws a life belt to all counselling and psychotherapy trainees and practitioners looking to make the best start in their research-informed career. Chris Evans is Visiting Professor at the University of UDLA, Ecuador and an Honorary Professor at the University of Roehampton. Jo-anne Carlyle is Director of PSYCTC.com
Older people and people with a disability have a right to be included in all aspects of home and community life, and yet, environmental barriers continue to exist in the built environment. There are concerns about how well homes can support older people and people with a disability over time as their needs change. Occupational therapists are well suited to determining the most appropriate home modification solutions to address environmental barriers. They possess the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate people’s current and future needs in the context of the nature and use of the environment and can work collaboratively with design and construction professionals to develop solutions. To be comprehensive and effective in their approach, occupational therapists need to understand not only the individual’s requirements, but also, the ethical and legal contexts for practice, the technical aspects of the built environment, the relevance and intent of access standards and design approaches, and the application of a range of products and finishes. An Occupational Therapist’s Guide to Home Modification Practice, Second Edition by Elizabeth Ainsworth and Desleigh de Jonge and their team of expert contributors provides comprehensive information to inform occupational therapists about current practice and research. This includes the authors using a transactional approach to examine the person-occupation-environment interaction and providing occupational therapists with a detailed understanding of the various dimensions of the home environment that can impact on client’s home modification decisions. New material has been provided relating to research and practice issues, such as an overview of the latest home modification outcome research findings as documented in literature; an update on outcome evaluation; new research information about the dimensions of the home impacting on decision making; additional information grabrail and ramp prescription; and the inclusion of new case studies illustrating minor and major modification solutions for clients who present with diverse needs. In the Second Edition you’ll find: A detailed understanding of aspects of the home environment that impact home modification decisions A review of legislative environment and funding systems that facilitate service delivery An overview of home modification services, as well as future trends A range of comprehensive case studies — illustrated by photographs Additional theory to inform knowledge, and skill development, that can be used in home modification practice worldwide Included with the text are online supplemental materials for faculty use in the classroom.. An Occupational Therapist’s Guide to Home Modification Practice, Second Edition provides a range of resources and tools, and it can be used as a teaching aid to support students, interns, and novice therapists or as a manual for reflection and practice for more experienced home modification practitioners.
