using-theory-of-change_design-and-evaluate-public-health-interventions

Using theory of change_design and evaluate public health interventions

<h2>Background</h2>
<p>Despite the increasing popularity of the theory of change (ToC) approach, little is known about the extent to which ToC has been used in the design and evaluation of public health interventions. This review aims to determine how ToCs have been developed and used in the development and evaluation of public health interventions globally.</p>
<h2>Methods</h2>
<p>We searched for papers reporting the use of “theory of change” in the development or evaluation of public health interventions in databases of peer-reviewed journal articles such as Scopus, Pubmed, PsychInfo, grey literature databases, Google and websites of development funders. We included papers of any date, language or study design. Both abstracts and full text papers were double screened. Data were extracted and narratively and quantitatively summarised.</p>
<h2>Results</h2>
<p>A total of 62 papers were included in the review. Forty-nine (79 %) described the development of ToC, 18 (29 %) described the use of ToC in the development of the intervention and 49 (79 %) described the use of ToC in the evaluation of the intervention. Although a large number of papers were included in the review, their descriptions of the ToC development and use in intervention design and evaluation lacked detail.</p>
<h2>Conclusions</h2>
<p>The use of the ToC approach is widespread in the public health literature. Clear reporting of the ToC process and outputs is important to strengthen the body of literature on practical application of ToC in order to develop our understanding of the benefits and advantages of using ToC. We also propose a checklist for reporting on the use of ToC to ensure transparent reporting and recommend that our checklist is used and refined by authors reporting the ToC approach.</p>


<p>This review aims to determine how ToCs have been developed and used in the development and evaluation of public health interventions globally. It proposes a checklist for reporting on the use of ToC to ensure transparent reporting.</p>


Using Theory of Change to design and evaluate public health interventions: A systematic review

dss-toc-paper

<p>This paper is an illustration of the use of Theory of Change approach by Decision Support Systems (DSS) development team when developing two DSS to support rabbit management on both agricultural and conservation lands in Australia. A rabbit management case study is used to demonstrate how a ToC approach has contributed to planning for an ongoing DSS development program.</p>
<p>It finally discusses the potential benefits and challenges from using a ToC for DSS development.</p>
<p>Applying a ToC approach encourages an adaptive strategy to management by encouraging on-going questioning of what might influence change in the particular program context, and drawing on evidence and learning (via evaluation) during implementation.</p>


<p>Many managers do not have the tools to easily set out, document and communicate complex goals, activity strategies and intended outcomes. Developing a ToC can assist by supporting diverse stakeholders to work together and plan for outcomes.</p>


How decision support systems can benefit from a Theory of Change approach

<p>This post looks more specifically at outcomes, and how they can be developed and written. It highlights the benefits of focusing on outcomes for project planning, implementation and evaluation. It also provides some tips and ideas for involving program staff and stakeholders in developing and working with outcome statements.</p>
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<p>This post looks more specifically at outcomes, and how they can be developed and written. It highlights the benefits of focusing on outcomes for project planning, implementation and evaluation.</p>
