EVALUATING GENERALIST EDUCATION-PROGRAMS - A CONCEPTUAL-FRAMEWORK

This paper provides and applies a conceptual framework and a list of g uiding principles for evaluation of generalist education programs. Pro grams are systematic efforts to achieve specified objectives. Evaluati ons gather data in order to improve or appraise programs and have a co ntinuum of purposes and methods. Descriptive evaluations characterize the structures, processes, and outcomes of programs; research evaluati ons definitively assess the effectiveness of a program in terms of out comes. Intermediate outcomes are changes in knowledge, attitudes, and skills of program participants; conclusive outcomes reflect the qualit y of performance of graduates in actual clinical situations, Outcomes are affected by inputs- the qualities of students entering the program . Guiding principles of program evaluation ensure that data gathered a re useful. The authors illustrate the guiding principles with an actua l pilot study that determined that expert pediatricians, general inter nists, and family practitioners could agree on key generalist competen cies and that explores evaluation design based on these competencies. Finally, they consider the implications of undertaking generalist educ ation evaluation.