Evaluation methods for the benefit assessment of easily accessible, outpatient health centres for vulnerable groups - Target group focus: Homeless and non-insured persons

Winkler R, Reinsperger I
Record ID 32018000342
German
Original Title: Evaluierungsmethoden zur Nutzenbewertung niederschwelliger, ambulanter Gesundheitszentren für vulnerable Personengruppen – Zielgruppen-Fokus: obdachlose, wohnungslose und nicht-versicherte Personen
Authors' objectives: Socially disadvantaged persons, such as the homeless and the non-insured, have a worse physical and mental health status than comparable populations. Social institutions make a significant contribution to the medical treatment and social worker support of these persons. This research report addressed the question of relevant evaluation methods, indicators and instruments for the evaluation of easily accessible, outpatient health centres for vulnerable groups.
Authors' results and conclusions: In total, we identified twelve evaluation studies (in English) and seven evaluation reports (in German). The selected publications reported on evaluation methods, indicators and/or instruments focusing on low-threshold outpatient health care facilities. There was a high degree of methodological heterogeneity according to the thematic backgrounds and objectives – however, the majority of the publications involved a 'mixed methods' approach. These were mainly interviews and questionnaires. With regard to the evaluation indicators used, socio-demographic data, patients’ health status as well as the use of health and social services were collected primarily. Only a few publications reported on health economic indicators. There were also few studies that provided information on evaluation instruments. The mental health status of the patients was measured most frequently. In this respect, both generic and disease-specific instruments were reported.
Authors' recommendations: The concluding recommendations for the planning and implementation of such an evaluation include, for example, the consideration of participatory evaluation approaches to involve these "hardly to reach populations" in the design and conduct of the evaluation, as well as the development of a logic model as a basis for identifying adequate evaluation methods, indicators and instruments.
Authors' methods: We conducted a systematic literature search in several databases and a hand search on the websites of specialist societies for evaluations. Furthermore, several experts in the field were contacted.
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2019
URL for additional information: http://eprints.aihta.at/1195/
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Full HTA
Country: Austria
MeSH Terms
  • Ill-Housed Persons
  • Health Care Facilities, Manpower, and Services
  • Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation
  • Vulnerable Populations
  • Health Care Evaluation Mechanisms
Keywords
  • Evaluation methods
  • indicators
  • vulnerable groups
  • easily accessible health services
  • health care centre
  • health care center
Contact
Organisation Name: Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Health Technology Assessment
Contact Address: Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for fuer Health Technology Assessment (LBI-HTA), Garnisongasse 7/rechte Stiege Mezzanin (Top 20), 1090 Vienna, Austria. Tel: +43 1 236 8119 - 0 Fax: +43 1 236 8119 - 99
Contact Name: tarquin.mittermayr@aihta.at
Contact Email: office@aihta.at
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.