Evaluating Improvement and Implementation for Health, written by John Ovretveit, is an enlightening book that explores modern evaluation methods in healthcare and policymaking. In this book, Ovretveit challenges some of the assumptions made by the evidence-based healthcare movement and poses thought-provoking questions. Are all innovations an improvement? Are they always worth implementing? Can they actually be successfully implemented? And most importantly, should they be implemented?

These questions have practical consequences and evaluations play a crucial role in providing answers. By utilizing the right evaluation methods, one can match the questions being asked with the most appropriate evaluation method. In Evaluating Improvement and Implementation for Health, Ovretveit provides an overview of the various evaluation perspectives and methods used in the health sector.

This book is not only suitable for health practitioners, managers, policy advisers, and researchers but also for individuals interested in understanding the evaluation process and ensuring that evaluation results in actionable outcomes. It offers a pragmatic and multidisciplinary approach to evaluation, emphasizing the importance of evaluation in translating ideas into effective actions.

Evaluating Improvement and Implementation for Health has received praise from experts in the field. Carolyn M. Clancy, Former Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), commends the book for its broad introduction to different approaches to evaluation. Dean L. Fixsen, Senior Scientist and Co-Director of the National Implementation Research Network, USA, describes it as a readable and comprehensive introduction to evaluation that sheds light on improving health outcomes.

One of the key strengths of this book is its focus on assessing the implementation of innovative ideas. Oftentimes, evaluations only focus on the effectiveness of an intervention without considering whether it can be successfully implemented in a real-world setting. By including assessments of implementation, Evaluating Improvement and Implementation for Health takes a comprehensive and practical approach that can lead to better decision-making and improved health outcomes.

Ovretveit’s writing style is accessible and engaging, making it easy for readers to understand complex evaluation concepts. The book is filled with real-world examples that further illuminate the ideas and concepts discussed. These examples spark the reader’s curiosity and keep them engaged until the very end.

The digital version of Evaluating Improvement and Implementation for Health is an eBook with a total of 240 pages. It was published by Open University Press on August 1, 2014. The language used in the book is English. The ISBN-10 is 0335242774, and the ISBN-13 is 978-0335242771.

In conclusion, Evaluating Improvement and Implementation for Health is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding and conducting evaluations in the healthcare sector. Ovretveit’s practical and multidisciplinary approach ensures that evaluation results lead to actionable outcomes. Whether you are a healthcare practitioner, manager, policy advisor, or researcher, this book will provide you with the necessary knowledge and tools to make informed decisions and improve health outcomes for individuals, communities, and nations.

Order your copy of Evaluating Improvement and Implementation for Health today and embark on a journey of understanding and improving healthcare through effective evaluation.