DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING AN INTERVENTION - EVALUATION OF AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT PILOT ON PARTNER ABUSE

This article discusses the role of formative and process evaluation in the development and implementation of a pilot intervention to improve the identification, treatment, and referral of women abused by their partners who present to an emergency department (ED). These evaluation s were undertaken in conjunction with an outcome evaluation of trainin g in and use of a five-step protocol of care piloted in a New Zealand public hospital. The outcome evaluation showed there was an improvemen t in identification and acute care of abused women following the inter vention. The article highlights key factors that were relevant to the intervention's development and implementation, including social contex t, development processes, appropriateness for the setting and level of support from key stakeholders. Factors identified as key to intervent ion effectiveness included its appropriateness for abused women and re sponsiveness to specific hospital, department, and staff needs. The ke y role of formative and process evaluation in the development and impl ementation of pilot interventions is highlighted, and the particular l essons gained from this study have relevance and application to other interventions.