National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health
Australian National Preventative Health Agency, 2012—in progress
ARTD, in partnership with colleagues at the Prevention Research Collaboration, University of Sydney, is developing an Evaluation Framework for the National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health (NPAPH), for the Australian National Preventive Health Agency (ANPHA). Development of the framework involves a detailed logic model and extensive consultation with preventive health staff in state and territory health departments, the Commonwealth Department of Health, and other stakeholders. This consultation uses a three part iterative method combining analysis, consultation and documentation. The NPAPH Evaluation Framework will provide the structure and basis for undertaking a national evaluation of the NPAPH (phase two), which will be a separately commissioned project.
Perinatal Depression Screening in NSW
M-H Kids, c/o The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, 2012—in progress
ARTD is conducting an evaluation of the implementation of universal and routine screening for perinatal depression by antenatal and child and family health services in NSW. The evaluation involves interviews with key stakeholders and service providers, site visits at a range of sites delivering routine screening, and a survey of all antenatal and child and family health teams implementing the screening. Short interviews with women who received the screening will also inform the evaluation. The evaluation is being conducted between April 2011 and June 2013.
Recovery and Resource Services mental health monitoring
Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Office, 2012—in progress
The program supports people with a mental illness by providing improved access to community social, leisure, and recreational opportunities and vocational services. ARTD was engaged to design and pilot a monitoring and reporting system. Following the pilot, ARTD was engaged to maintain and develop the monitoring system for 2011–2013.
Sturt Fleurieu General Practice - Term 2011
Sturt Fleurieu General Practice Education and Training, 2012—in progress
Sturt Fleurieu General Practice Education and Training (SFGPET) provide training to registrars who want to sit the Fellowship exam for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACCRM). Since 2009, ARTD has been evaluating various aspects of the Sturt Fleurieu syllabus and the satisfaction of registrars (and their GP supervisors) with the organisation. Our analysis of registrars’ satisfaction with syllabus components is a quantitative analysis of the longitudinal dataset, comparing individual cohorts of registrars against each other. Registrar (annual) and supervisor (biennial) data is a mix of open and closed questions, most of which are collected at each survey point. The dataset is now longitudinal, allowing Sturt Fleurieu to understand changes in satisfaction over time.
Camp Quality Research Project
Camp Quality, 2011
ARTD undertook a comprehensive research project for Camp Quality, a national children's cancer support organisation. Camp Quality wanted to know more about the needs of children with cancer, their siblings and parents throughout their cancer journey, and how these could be better met by Camp Quality and other cancer support organisations. ARTD conducted focus groups with Camp Quality registered children with cancer, their siblings and parents in 18 locations across Australia. A survey of Camp Quality families and relevant health professions was also conducted. A literature review was undertaken on the psychosocial needs of children with cancer, their siblings and families. ARTD prepared a final report and presentation for Camp Quality, including recommendations for improving existing supports and suggestions for new avenues for providing support to children with cancer and their families. Camp Quality subsequently engaged ARTD to conduct a second component of the project: an online survey of all 1500+ Camp Quality companions and camp leaders.
Participation in Community Sport and Active Recreation (PICSAR) Program
VicHealth, 2011
In partnership with Monash University, School of Health Social Sciences, ARTD undertook an evaluation of the VicHealth funded Participation in Community Sport and Recreation (PICSAR) Program. The PICSAR program funded sporting organisations and peak agencies to increase participation in sport and recreation among disadvantaged groups. We prepared a comprehensive evaluation framework, developed data collection instruments, and supported the collection of qualitative and quantitative data. ARTD analysed interview data using Nvivo, synthesised data from all sources and prepared the Final Report for VicHealth.
National crisis telephone service 13 11 14
Lifeline Australia, 2010
ARTD worked with Lifeline to develop a comprehensive evaluation strategy for this high profile national service. It was based on a program logic framework, a review of recent international research literature and stakeholder analysis.
NSW Rural Research Capacity Building Program
NSW Institute of Rural Clinical Services and Teaching, 2010
The Rural Research Capacity Building program aims to build research capacity among health professionals working in rural NSW, through funding for face-to-face teaching and forums, workplace-based research projects, mentoring, ongoing telephone and email support, and links to research networks. As part of the evaluation of the program undertaken by the Clinical Education and Training Institute, Rural Division, ARTD undertook a qualitative study comprising interviews with 25 health professionals in the 2006 and 2007 intake of the program. Interviews were thematically analysed to assess the effectiveness of the program in improving research capacity among rural health professionals and in their workplaces. The barriers to research capacity building in rural health were identified. The NSW Health Framework for Capacity Building (NSW Health, 2001), which highlights elements of workforce development, organisational development, resource allocation, leadership and partnership, was used to guide both the structure and implementation of the program and the evaluation. In addition to the report provided to the client, the project resulted in a published article in the peer-reviewed Australian Journal of Primary Health (Volume 17;1:107-113).