Evaluating Canada's Compassionate Care Benefit using a utilization-focused evaluation framework: Successful strategies and prerequisite conditions

A utilization-focused evaluation (Patton, 1997) framework was used in 2004–2005 to conduct a pilot evaluation of Canada's newly unveiled Compassionate Care Benefit from a family caregivers’ perspective. This paper presents a description of the successful utilization-focused evaluation process. Successful strategies are summarized in three main categories: (1) motivated leadership; (2) regular, planned communication; and (3) consistent and continued commitment of all parties involved. Three main prerequisite conditions for success were found to include: (a) have in place a widely representative Evaluation Taskforce with as many, if not all, key stakeholders represented; (b) have the program of concern and the focus of the evaluation flexible enough to actually accommodate change; and (c) adhere to a pre-determined timeline.