assessment of effectiveness

AFOTEC offers fact-based, quality data in its test reports to inform decision makers on a range of assessments of effectiveness, suitability, and whether a system is fully, partly, or not mission capable.

While the majority of individual courses described by the data sheets were assessed, assessment of effectiveness of overall programmes, in the sense of the needs of the individual and the organization being identified and considered, was much less in evidence.

The key message emerging from the discussion is that the deployment of medical technology, be it drugs, equipment or new procedures, must rest on rigorous and continuous assessments of effectiveness cost and safety, and the appropriate selection of patients who can benefit.

Key elements in using the best evidence to guide the practice of any professional include the development of questions using research-based evidence, the level and types of evidence to be used, and the assessment of effectiveness after completing the task or effort.

'Assessment of effectiveness is not a 'one-off' activity at the end of a training programme but is an integral part of the training system, with assessment of effectiveness being related back to original training needs and used in the compilation of future programmes.