Abstract
This workshop is about engaging patients in evaluation methods, specifically developing program theories to focus on and guide evaluations. The use of theories in evaluations helps to understand why a program is having an impact and what could be done to promote results or scale and spread. Using program theories when evaluating integrated care initiatives, shows how the intervention is expected to produce its results. The use of these tools helps evaluators address various challenges, including addressing complexity, effectively managing results, and communicating with stakeholders. The development of program theories is best done with the input of program stakeholders, including patients and family members who will be primarily affected by the initiatives. The workshop attendees will be guided through collaborative, participatory activities they can apply in their own setting, expanding their toolbox for evaluation.This workshop is for anyone interested in evaluation capacity-building, specifically focused on collaborative, participatory approaches and engaging patients, families, and caregivers. The methods taught will be broadly applicable to multiple sectors and roles. We invite PFAC representatives, in particular, to join.The session will be structured as follows: We will start with a brief introduction to using theories of change in evaluation and walk through the development of an example theory of change (5 min); this will be followed by a large group discussion of adaptions to include PFACs (0 min), key points will be noted on the board/flip chart to be used later. We will then engage in a brief activity that will allow us to tailor the participatory activity to the audience (5 min). The main part of the session will be a structured participatory theory-building exercise done in group(s), where we will guide you through the step-by-step process (45 mins). The session will wrap up with reflections on the process and a discussion of applying the demonstrated approaches (5 mins). The total duration of the session will be 90 minutes.This will be a highly engaging session with little time spent using a didactic approach. The session will engage the audience through large group discussion, a collaborative, participatory exercise in theory building, and discussion on its application to the local context.As a group, workshop participants will reflect on the theory-building exercise and discuss how this activity can be translated into local contexts. Participants will be offered a resource package, including a summary of key messages.