Activity 6
Why I want to incorporate evaluation into my professional practice
- To determine the success and effectiveness of a project – an evaluation is useful throughout a project as it can identify flaws and weaknesses in the project design which will result in an improved project implementation and design.
- For this project a needs assessment should be performed during the planning and research phase of a project as it allows researchers to determine whether or not the project will be effective at certain locations and organisations.
- A small pilot study for this project will be performed by the UQ research staff to determine whether or not this project can operate as planned.
- QuIHN will perform an outcome evaluation at the end of each week to ensure the project is achieving its objectives.
Activity 7
Select 2 interventions – discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each strategy
- Health education and skills development
- Hepatitis C information and resources
- Hepatitis C Tests
- Hepatitis C Treatment options – Old and New
- Safe injecting/overdose prevention/harm reduction
Strengths – Individual is educated on Hepatitis C, the tests available and the new treatment used. Clients are also given harm reduction information
Weaknesses – Behaviour change is unlikely if this form of intervention is used on its own.
- Screening and individual risk assessment
- Full mental health assessment
- Referral to health professionals
Strengths – An assessment will enable the client to understand their current health status. Patients are referred directly to health professionals for further assessment and treatment
Weaknesses – Scare level may be too high – clients may not be able to handle the news. The clients may not see that they have an issue so no change would occur.
As this test is only open to injecting drug users who have been found by (reference) to be more likely to be affected by a mental illness.
Activity 8
Aggregated score total = 157
Checklist score 127-175
Definition: A partnership based on genuine collaboration has been established. The challenge is to maintain its impetus and build on the current success.
A checklist like this allows the individuals in a project to become aware of current and potential issues relating to partnerships. By becoming aware of such issues individuals can act and resolve such issues so a genuine collaboration can be established and maintained.
Activity 9
Highlights
There were many highlights and challenges that I experienced whilst on placement at QuIHN. The following are dot points which will be discussed further in my reflective essay.
- Feeling of accomplishment
- Be able to apply theoretical knowledge to practice
- Learning the ins and outs f the public health industry
- Meeting and creating connections and relationships with health professionals from all sectors and expertises
- Confirmation of interests and desires
Challenges
- Working with our stakeholders and coming to a mutual agreement on issues
- Working with clients who are easily aggrevated
- Working in crisis situations
- Making and learning from mistakes
- Challenging not only the beliefs and views of others but also my own
- Maintaining a high level of empathy for all clients and knowing when I should take a break and reboot
- Accepting that change in a client is not immediate and sometimes will never occur
- Being non-judgemental
- Understanding a client’s traumatic event that I have never experienced
My journey 