Tools and indicators are important in evaluating the effectiveness and efficacy of palliative care interventions. In evaluating the work of the African Palliative Care Association (APCA), a number of tools have been developed, including:
📋 Pre- and post-test training evaluation forms
Assessment tools for training evaluation.
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✓ The APCA standards audit tool
Standards-based audit instrument for palliative care programs.
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🔍 Situational analysis tool
Tool for assessing palliative care situation and resources.
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💬 Interview guides
Structured guides for conducting qualitative interviews.
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👥 Focus group discussion guides
Facilitator guides for focus group discussions.
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📚 Community health worker orientation package
Training and orientation materials for community health workers.
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📖 Symptom management manual
Clinical reference guide for symptom management in palliative care.
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🏥 APCA POS tool
Palliative Outcome Scale for measuring palliative care quality.
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Indicators provide a way to measure progress towards the realisation of key outputs and outcomes. The following definitions are provided to support the use of these indicators in palliative care programs in Africa.
- Coverage: The proportion of the population that has access to and/or is reached by the palliative care service.
- Access: The opportunity for individuals to obtain palliative care services, including: availability (services exist), accessibility (geographically/financially), and accommodation (services suited to the population).
- Quality: The degree to which palliative care services increase the likelihood of desired outcomes and are consistent with current professional knowledge.
- Efficiency: The extent to which palliative care services are delivered without waste of resources (financial, human and material).
- Appropriateness: The degree to which palliative care services are suited to the needs of individuals (taking into account the cultural context) and consistent with professional standards and patient preferences.
- Acceptability: The degree to which individuals and communities find the palliative care services to be safe, respectful, and responsive to their needs and preferences.
- Safety: The extent to which the risk of adverse effects is minimised in the delivery of palliative care services.
- Continuity: The degree to which care is provided without unnecessary interruptions and with coordination between different levels and sites of care.