AHA has been engaged by the Department of Human Services to evaluate the pilot testing of priority tools for demand management in Community Health Services (CHS). Each tool will undergo a pilot and evaluation to determine:
- Reliability – to ensure that different staff can use the tools in the same way
- Validity – to ensure that the tools accurately identify priority clients
- Acceptability – by staff and consumers.
The use of the priority tools is part of the recommended approach to improving demand management. The pilot process will be used to assist in the integration of the tools into practice, and to investigate other aspects of demand management.
This pilot and evaluation are considered to be quality assurance activities. The evaluation includes:
- Nine CHSs will pilot selected tools
- Literature review
- Consumer and staff consultation, including focus groups.
The priority tools have been developed in consultation with CHSs and are intended for application in all CHSs in Victoria. Tools have been developed for the following disciplines:
- Counselling
- Dietetics
- Occupational Therapy – Adult
- Occupational Therapy – Paediatric
- Physiotherapy – Adult
- Podiatry
- Speech Pathology – Paediatric.
The evaluation is scheduled for completion in October 2008.
Further information on the framework, priority tools and evaluation is provided in the
Information Kit