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Evaluation of a changed model of care delivery in a Canadian province using outcome mapping

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The International Journal of Health Planning and Management

Published online on

Abstract

Background Collaboration between the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness, the province's District Health Authorities (DHAs) and the Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health Center led to the development and implementation of a new collaborative model of patient‐centered care delivery in the province. Objective The objective was to determine the effectiveness of the initiative in arriving at the envisioned care model by investigating its impacts (if any) on patient, system, and providers outcomes. Methods A repeated surveys study design with mixed methods in an outcome mapping framework was used to measure process and outcome indicators for patients and families, providers, and the system. Results Almost all outcomes at the patient and family, provider, and system level improved following the implementation of the model, and these effects were stronger on units where the model was more fully implemented. Conclusions The efforts of the province, DHAs and IWK to improve patient care through the new care model have been successful. This evaluation is unique in the broad range of indicators it incorporates. Comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of health system changes is critical to system effectiveness. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.