Monitoring & Evaluation

This paper examines the issues relating to self-assessment, such as the different types of self-assessment, its uses, and its validity. It also reviews the literature (largely from developed countries) that informs our knowledge of self-assessment. The paper makes recommendations for future research and concludes that while much remains to be done to assure that self-assessment has the impact it promises, it may also be less costly and easier to implement than alternatives. [from author]

This paper, aimed primarily at DFID advisers and health sector analysts, will attempt to map out selected issues relating to the planning and management of human resources by combining an international perspective with issues and trends emerging from individual countries. HR issues and challenges have been grouped into four broad objectives that poor countries, donors and advisers will need to address simultaneously over the next decade and beyond.

Despite the undoubted importance of human resources to the functions of health systems, there is little consistency between countries in how human resource strategies are monitored and evaluated. This paper presents an integrated approach for developing an evidence base on human resources for health (HRH) to support decision making, drawing on a framework for health systems performance assessment. [from abstract]

In low and middle income countries, health workers are essential for the delivery of health interventions. However, inadequate health-worker performance is a very widespread problem. We present an overview of issues and evidence about the determinants of performance and strategies for improving it. [authors’ description]

This Praxis Note describes the author’s response to the challenge of documenting and evaluating a capacity building process that had taken place in the Tangababwe Red Cross Society (TRCS). The hope is that it will stimulate ideas and show that even quick and dirty evaluations can prove useful, and are certainly better than nothing. [publisher’s description]

Considered an introduction to the Performance Improvement Approach in low resource settings. Stages, Steps and Tools presents an easy-to-use guide for finding the root causes of performance problems and then selecting and implementing interventions to fix those deficits. A set of tools can be used independently or in conjunction with other interventions to improve the quality and accessibility of health care services. [

This resource catalogue is a compilation of indicators for assessing capability and effectiveness of organizations and the standards of the environment in which they must operate. Examples of thematic indicators (environment and HIV/AIDS) are also included. This list is not exhaustive. [publisher’s description]