The transformation in the health care industry, begun over a decade ag o, will continue well into the 21st century. And the dominant theme in the new millennium is likely to be collaborative practice and outcome s-based health care delivery. A collection of the most current and inn ovative presentations in path-based, collaborative practices, this boo k focuses on the design, implementation and analysis of outcomes for t he heavy volume DRGs. For each DRG, the authors present two to three s tandard clinical pathways, and then show how those pathways can be man ipulated to alter outcomes. Health Care Outcomes covers topics in Resp iratory, Neonatal/Pediatric, General Surgery, Orthopaedic, and Geriatr ic Care. A comprehensive collection of critical pathways and outcomes maps being used by leading hospitals and health care agencies around t he country, this is an important reference for developing path-based c are models, or revising critical paths and outcomes maps.

Cost-effectiveness analysis allows researchers and evaluators to determine if a particular program or policy has attained maximum effectiveness for a given budget. This book introduces cost-effectiveness analysis and gives readers step-by-step methods to plan and implement a cost-analysis study. It explains and illustrates the four major techniques : cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, cost-utility, and cost-feasibility. It discusses choice of analysis, implementation, the nature of costs (including how to identify, measure, and distribute costs); measuring effectiveness, utility, and benefits; and, lastly the difficulties of including cost evaluations in the decision making process. Each chapter ends with exercises that enable readers to sharpen their ability to evaluate policy options and program effectiveness.

The collaborative efforts of Colombia¿s Department of National Planning (DNP) and the World Bank has produced the National Evaluation System of Public Sector Performance (SYNERGY). Put in place by the Special Division for Evaluation in DNP, this system has been designed and implemented to change the public sector from an inward-looking, process-oriented body (which sometimes restrains economic and social progress) into a more dynamic, results-oriented partner of the community and private sector in development. This report explores the critical factors in making SYNERGY a successful evaluation system. Such factors include ways of making it an effective management tool, promoting civil society participation by focusing on results for people and leveraging on their energy and resource, defining a constructive learning process for implementation, and providing an enabling environment for a results-oriented public sector.

Between good intentions and great results lies a program theory not just a list of tasks but a vision of what needs to happen, and how. Now widely used in government and not-for-profit organizations, program theory provides a coherent picture of how change occurs and how to improve performance. Purposeful Program Theory shows how to develop, represent, and use program theory thoughtfully and strategically to suit your particular situation, drawing on the fifty-year history of program theory and the authors' experiences over more than twenty-five years. "From needs assessment to intervention design, from implementation to outcomes evaluation, from policy formulation to policy execution and evaluation, program theory is paramount. But until now no book has examined these multiple uses of program theory in a comprehensive, understandable, and integrated way. This promises to be a breakthrough book, valuable to practitioners, program designers, evaluators, policy analysts, funders, and scholars who care about understanding why an intervention works or doesn't work." Michael Quinn Patton, author, Utilization-Focused Evaluation "Finally, the definitive guide to evaluation using program theory! Far from the narrow 'one true way' approaches to program theory, this book provides numerous practical options for applying program theory to fulfill different purposes and constraints, and guides the reader through the sound critical thinking required to select from among the options. The tour de force of the history and use of program theory is a truly global view, with examples from around the world and across the full range of content domains. A must-have for any serious evaluator." E. Jane Davidson, PhD, Real Evaluation Ltd. Companion Web site: josseybass.com/go/funnellrogers

The Fifth Edition of the classic Designing and Managing Programs for human services helps readers grasp the meaning and significance of measuring performance and evaluating outcomes. Authors Peter M. Kettner, Robert M. Moroney, and Lawrence L. Martin, all leaders in the field, incorporate the principles of effectiveness-based planning as they address the steps of designing, implementing, and evaluating a human services program at the local agency level. Meaningful examples at every stage of the process—from problem analysis and needs assessment to evaluating effectiveness and calculating costs—enhance reader understanding of how concepts are implemented in the real world.

The fundamentals of public administration, from the world'sleading practitioners Handbook of Public Administration is the classic,comprehensive guide to the field, featuring original writings fromthe world's foremost public administration thought leaders andpractitioners. Intended to help both public administration studentsand practitioners navigate administrative challenges, overcomeobstacles, and improve effectiveness, this guide provides acomplete overview of the entire field. The information is organizedinto seven parts representing key domains of knowledge and practicethat are essential for effective public administration. Thesereflect changes in the state of modern public administration, thefactors that influence policies and programs, the mechanics of howgovernment works, and the tools that help administrators get thingsdone. Readers will find insightful discussions on the challenges ofcontemporary governance and the ethics of public administration, aswell as practical guidance on the everyday operations that bringeffective policies and programs to life. Students and experienced practitioners alike will appreciate thewell-rounded approach to issues public administrators face everyday. The book is complete enough to act as a text, but organizedlogically for quick reference for specific problems or situations.Readers will: Understand the challenges posed by the changing context ofpublic administration Explore how relationships and decisions influence publicpolicies and programs Learn the critical skills and tools public administrators mustmaster to be effective Explore the ethics and liabilities of public administration,and what it means to take part The role of public administration is evolving, and the changingnature of the field will impact the way policies and programs aredesigned and implemented. This book fully explores current andupcoming changes domestically and internationally against thebackdrop of public administration fundamentals. For the student orprofessional seeking a deeper understanding of the publicadministrator's role, Handbook of Public Administration is aclear, comprehensive resource.