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Use of Theory of Change to Inform the Evaluation of a Geriatric Psychiatry Consultation Service for Primary Care Providers
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| Presenter(s):
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| Christine Clements, University of Massachusetts Medical School, christine.clements@umassmed.edu
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| Linda Cabral, Center for Health Policy and Research University, linda.cabral@umassmed.edu
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| Brenda King, University of Massachusetts Memorial Healthcare, brenda.king@umassmemorial.org
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| Abstract:
The Center for Health Policy and Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, is conducting formative evaluation to inform the development and operation of a Geriatric Psychiatry Consultation Service for primary care providers in the Worcester, Massachusetts area. The evaluation aims to improve understanding of a) how primary care providers manage psychiatric conditions among their patients age 60 and over without a psychiatric consult service, b) resources they need to better serve this population, and c) effective mechanisms for delivery of the program to meet the needs of primary care providers and their patients. This paper presentation will describe how we refined our use of program theory to facilitate study of the program's development, implementation and operation. The presentation will also describe learning from our initial use of a structure, process, and outcomes framework and implementation theory to our recent use of theory of change.
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Organizational Theory: Practical Application in Evaluation Design
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| Presenter(s):
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| Debora Goetz Goldberg, Virginia Commonwealth University, goetzdc@vcu.edu
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| Diane Dodd-McCue, Virginia Commonwealth University, ddoddmccue@vcu.edu
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| Abstract:
Organizational theories provide a framework to conceptualize organizational behavior as it relates to program performance. This session presents an overview of open systems theories and examines specific perspectives from institutional, resource dependency, contingency, organizational ecology, and diffusion of innovation theories. These theories provide a framework for understanding how the organization's external environment and internal characteristics such as structure, culture, leadership, and technology influence program performance. The focus is on incorporating internal and external organizational factors in evaluation design.
An evaluation of the Department of Veterans Affairs' prosthetics and rehabilitation programs serves as an example of how to apply organizational theory to evaluation methodology. Organizational theory was used to identify data elements and data collection techniques. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used to collect data on management activities, customer satisfaction, access to services, and clinical outcomes. The evaluation resulted in information for improvement to structure, processes, training, communication, and technology.
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