The period of transition from military service to civilian life can be extremely stressful, especially for those that leave the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for medical reasons. The process of claiming compensation is often cited as a significant stressor for these individuals, due in part to delays associated with claims being submitted without the medical evidence required by the department.

In response to these concerns, the department commenced the Transition Medical Assessment Pilot Project (TMAPP) to improve the transition experience and expedite claim determination for medically transitioning ADF members. Those who take part in the TMAPP are assessed by an Occupational and Environmental Physician with training in DVA claims processes, who can ensure that the necessary medical evidence is provided to those responsible for reviewing and determining the outcome of claims.

AHA was engaged to develop an evaluation framework and implementation plan for the TMAPP. For this engagement we:

• reviewed data collection and related materials used in delivering the TMAPP
• consulted with DVA staff involved in the TMAPP
• developed an evaluation framework comprising three interrelated components: a program logic, evaluation domains and specific questions within each, and indicators outlining how each evaluation question can be addressed
• developed an implementation plan which addressed the practicalities of implementing the evaluation framework by providing tailor-made data collection tools, defining processes and responsibilities for data collection and management, and offering guidance on data analysis and future considerations for evaluation as the TMAPP evolves.

This project brought together AHA’s broad evaluation expertise and our deep understanding of military and veteran wellbeing to develop a fit-for-purpose approach to enable DVA to measure the success of the TMAPP.