Health Care
We have a depth of experience with various health care initiatives designed to impact system- and local-level processes to improve health outcomes for people. Our team specializes in health-related evaluation and has implemented complex summative and formative evaluations designed to involve and inform decision-making both within communities and provincially. We have worked with clients such as Health Canada, various provincial Ministries, health authorities, and non-profit organizations across BC.
We have worked extensively with Divisions of Family Practice, which are non-profit community-based groups of family physicians, to provide on the ground evaluation support for various health initiatives, including:
• Supporting the implementation and evaluation of Patient Medical Home initiatives across the province – many designed to focus on team-based care
• Designing and implementing 16 A GP for Me evaluations across the province
• Evaluation of more than 150 Doctors of BC – Shared Care and Specialist Services Committee initiatives focused on transitions in care between acute and community primary care settings and engaging specialist and family physicians, their Health Authority partners, and patients / clients
Other examples of our health care evaluation work includes:
Older Adult Health and Long-Term Care
We have supported several projects designed to address the health and wellness of older adults, including community based programming and initiatives in long-term care settings. In addition, our Director of Research and Evaluation holds a Master of Gerontology degree and advocates the inclusion of older adults in research.
Mental Health and Substance Use
We have experience leading evaluation projects in partnership with community agencies as well as with People with Lived and Living Experience relating to mental health and substance use. Our knowledge of health care in BC, our knowledge of community-based organizations and our use of a trauma informed perspective, has helped us to navigate complex systems but remain grounded in the community.
See also, Project Highlights – BC Provincial Overdose Emergency Response
Indigenous Health and Well-being
We have experience working with Indigenous peoples, in both urban and rural settings, in a variety of sectors including in health care, women’s safety, and mental health and substance use. Our team supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, the First Nations principles of OCAP and we have taken steps to ensure our evaluation approach is informed by an understanding of the historical and structural inequities that impact the indigenous experience of health and social services.
Vancouver Native Health Society – Aboriginal Diabetes Awareness Prevention and Teaching Program (ADAPT)
The ADAPT program of the Vancouver Native Health Society, funded by Health Canada, was designed to provide culturally appropriate peer-based learnings related to health and diet. The program provided services to First Nations populations living in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. As part of the program’s design, a core operational set up curriculum was adapted from the University of Victoria’s Centre for Aging to support a community kitchen (Red Fox Feasting Community Kitchen), gardening initiative and exercise program. The program utilized a peer-based learning model and operated for several years. Our assessment of this program involved working closely with staff and program participants in the development and implementation of a comprehensive evaluation.
Education and Training
We have experience evaluating a wide variety of education and training programming offered by government agencies, non-profit organizations, schools, universities. We also have significant experience engaging with youth at various levels and have worked with youth to develop and implement evaluation plans that are both relevant, safe and utility based.
BC Real Estate Association – Education Program Evaluation
The BC Real Estate Association has engaged our firm to develop and implement an evaluation of their education programming – including their Legal Update and APC programming. As part of the development of the evaluation plan, we reviewed existing documentation including existing regulations and the Real Estate Services Act. Additionally, our team conducted interviews with industry stakeholders from across the province – including a sample of Council and Board members. The interviews were used to identify key evaluation questions and inform the development of indicators. Evaluation efforts for this review are currently underway.
Social Determinants of Health
We have worked with numerous housing and food providing agencies that work with vulnerable and marginalized populations. We have significant experience in evaluation related engagements and recognize the importance of creating and maintaining creative processes that are strategic, collaborative and inclusive for vulnerable populations.