ArticlePloS one2017
Realist evaluation of an enhanced health visiting programme.
Article in PloS one, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed.
- Evaluation of a universal 3-4 month Healthy Child Programme visit in a local area of England: a mixed methods study.Public health in practice (Oxford, England) · 2026Article
- Parents' perceptions of care quality at child health centres: A cross-sectional study from Sweden.Journal of clinical nursing · 2025Observational
- Sustainable Return to Work for Workers with Mental Health and Musculoskeletal Conditions.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023Article
- Personal and professional influences on health visitors' family focused practice for maternal mental illness: a cross sectional study.BMC health services research · 2022Article
- [Realistic evaluation mechanisms in primary health care interventions in rural and marginal urban populationsMecanismos de avaliação realistas em intervenções de atenção primária à saúde em populações rurais e urbanas periféricas].Revista panamericana de salud publica = Pan American journal of public health · 2022Article
- Exploring Potential Achievements and Barriers to Provide Homecare for Women with Preeclampsia: A Qualitative Study.International journal of community based nursing and midwifery · 2022Article
- Study protocol: a mixed-methods realist evaluation of the Universal Health Visiting Pathway in Scotland.BMJ open · 2020Article
- Supporting the health and well-being of school-aged children through a school nurse programme: a realist evaluation.BMC health services research · 2018Article
- Evaluating an organization-wide disparity reduction program: Understanding what works for whom and why.PloS one · 2018Article
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3 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundThe health visitors' role in many countries is changing. In Scotland, the role has undergone substantial changes through the introduction of an enhanced health visiting programme, which includes increased, structured home visits. This evaluation was conducted within NHS Ayrshire and Arran, one of the 14 Scottish Health Boards. Our aim was to understand and explain how, and why, the programme could contribute to improving health and wellbeing outcomes for children and families.
methodsWe used a realist evaluation approach, conducted in three phases. In phase one, eight managerial staff involved in developing and implementing the programme provided data, which were used to develop initial programme theories. In phase two, the programme theories were tested using qualitative data from 25 health visitors and 22 parents. The programme theories were refined through analyses and interpretation of data in phase three.
resultsThe home visiting context provided by the programme interacted with the mechanisms of the programme and produced outcomes such as early identification of health and wellbeing issues amongst families who needed more support, leading to referral and engagement with sources of additional help. The home visits facilitated development of parent-health visitor relationships, and parents considered health visitors as their first point of contact on children's wellbeing and developmental-related issues. Moreover, the programme provided more clarity to health visitors' role, which in turn enhanced partnership working. However, there were aspects of the programme that may require further development. For instance, both parents and health visitors were concerned about the wide gaps between some home visits.
conclusionsThe enhanced health visiting programme increased opportunities for monitoring and early identification of health and wellbeing concerns. It created structures for a more efficient partnership working and ensured that the needs of children and families were supported. These benefits need to be evaluated further in an effectiveness study.
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