Enhancing Care for Older People - Health Service Executive

• develop political skills which may be needed to support ongoing PD work
• increase opportunities for funding projects by articulating and demonstrating the
process of change/transformation
5.3 Developing an evaluation strategy
When developing an evaluation strategy the following framework may be considered.
(P.R.A.X.I.S):
• Purpose of PD work
Identify clearly the aims and objectives of the work. Also be clear about the purpose
of the PD initiative. Identify who needs to be involved and what methods you may
need in the evaluation process. Having a clear purpose will help identify potential or
anticipated outcomes.
• Reflexivity
Critical questioning and reflection about the evaluation process. This will enable
the practitioners to have insight to and consideration of alternatives, allow greater
understanding and will help the individual’s personal development and growth.
• Approaches
The approach chosen for the evaluation needs to fit with both the values and beliefs of
the residents/healthcare team/organisation.
• ConteXt
The need to consider the context in which the evaluation is to take place and ensure
that it is part of the evaluation process. This includes any local knowledge around the
inquiry, what are the resources and time factors? Do any political factors need to be
taken into consideration? Paying attention to the context may help understand some
of the cultural anomalies that can influence people’s reaction and behaviour towards
the evaluation.
• Intent
The need for participants to be clear about the intent of the project will provide clarity
on the intent of the evaluation. The intention is linked to the purpose, reflexivity and
the approaches that may be needed for the evaluation.
• Stakeholders
Identify who should be involved, who has a stake or interest in the evaluation. Consider
the types of questions that identified stakeholders might have about the programme.
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(Adapted from wilson et al., 2008)