Evaluation of the program “Specialized hospice and palliative care for children, adolescents and young adults in Lower Austria”

The aim of the project is the scientific evaluation of specialized hospice and palliative care for children, adolescents and young adults in Lower Austria. A programme theory developed for this purpose, which conceptualizes assumed mechanisms of action and expected outcomes, serves as the basis for the evaluation.

The program is evaluated in terms of its impact (results) and its implementation (processes). Methodologically, a convergent mixed-methods design is used to enable effect and implementation measurements/surveys at different levels. This is done by integrating different perspectives and data sources, as well as linking and merging them. Central to this are the perspectives of the affected families and the people who work in specialized care.
The results help to identify possible potential for improvement, derive qualitative measures for the further development of the program for strategic management and lay the foundation for regular monitoring.