Examining the Process and Effects of Engaging Patients/Family in Health Service Evaluation: Results from a one-year prospective study

Research on program evaluation in the context of patient/family engagement is highly limited. Logically, collaborative approaches to evaluation (CAE) align well with patient/family-centred care philosophy and hold great promise in leveraging desired outcomes. In this longitudinal case intervention study, we tracked a one-year collaborative initiative to engage health care providers and patient/family members in program evaluation, specifically improvement-oriented needs assessment activities. This research on CAE was designed to identify facilitators and barriers, describe the experience of non-evaluator stakeholders, and assess the effects of the collaborative approach. The findings illuminate the lived experiences of health care staff and patient/family members working in tandem with an evaluator to jointly produce evidence intended to improve services. We conclude with implications for ongoing research and practice.