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Evaluability assessments as an approach to supporting healthy weight

Spencer, Sarah, Gadsby, Erica W., Ogilvie, Jayne, Elliott, Scott (2016) Evaluability assessments as an approach to supporting healthy weight. British Journal of Healthcare Management, 22 (10). pp. 510-517. ISSN 1358-0574. (doi:10.12968/bjhc.2016.22.10.510) (KAR id:57982)

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Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.12968/bjhc.2016.22.10.51

Abstract

Evaluability assessment (EA) is a low-cost pre-evaluation activity that can make the best use of limited evaluation resources by improving both the quality and usefulness of evaluations, and the quality and effectiveness of the programmes being evaluated. We conducted seven EAs as part of an evaluation of Medway Council's Supporting Healthy Weight services. This article describes the processes we went through, outlines some of the lessons learned, and shares the benefits of such an approach. We created logic models using programme information and interviews with the Supporting Healthy Weight team. We examined differences between the intended programme and the actual programme, and identified key issues and changes made during implementation. This allowed us to speculate about whether the programme was likely to reach the target audience and achieve the desired impact. From this we identified key information needs and priority evaluation questions. The EAs allowed Medway's public health team to prioritise which programmes needed to be fully evaluated as well as how, why and when. This enabled more cost-effective targeting of limited evaluation resources. The EAs culminated in recommendations for programme improvement, data improvement and capacity strengthening that will have an impact across the whole suite of healthy weight services.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.12968/bjhc.2016.22.10.510
Uncontrolled keywords: healthy weight, assessments
Subjects: H Social Sciences
H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Depositing User: Erica Gadsby
Date Deposited: 20 Oct 2016 15:14 UTC
Last Modified: 29 Oct 2021 14:37 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/57982 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)
Spencer, Sarah: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2396-5329
Gadsby, Erica W.: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4151-5911
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