Responsive evaluation: an innovative evaluation methodology for workplace health promotion interventions

BMJ Open, vol. 12, pp. e062320

Abstract

Background:Workplace health promotion (WHP) interventions have limited effects on the health of employees with low socioeconomic position (SEP). This paper argues that this limited effectiveness can be partly explained by the methodology applied to evaluate the intervention, often a randomised controlled trial (RCT). Frequently, the desired outcomes of traditional evaluations may not match employees’—and in particular employees with low SEP—needs and lifeworld. Furthermore, traditional evaluation methodologies do not function well in work settings characterised by change resulting from internal and external developments.Objective:In this communication, responsive evaluation is proposed as an alternative approach to evaluating WHP interventions. Responsive evaluation’s potential added value for WHP interventions for employees with low SEP in particular is described, as well as how the methodology differs from RCTs. The paper also elaborates on the different scientific philosophies underpinning the two methodologies as this allows researchers to judge the suitability and quality of responsive evaluation in light of the corresponding criteria for good science.

Authors 5

1. Hanneke van Heijster corresponding

   Wageningen University & Research

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Social Sciences, Chair Group Consumption and Healthy Lifestyles, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands hanneke.vanheijster@wur.nl

   Department of Social Sciences, Chair Group Consumption and Healthy Lifestyles, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands

2. Jantien van Berkel

   Utrecht University · Wageningen University & Research

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science: Public Health, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

   Department of Social Sciences, Chair Group Consumption and Healthy Lifestyles, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands

3. Cécile R. L. Boot

   Amsterdam Public Health · Amsterdam University Medical Centers · Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

4. Tineke Abma Aachen Department of Public Health

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Public Health, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

5. Emely de Vet

   Wageningen University & Research

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Social Sciences, Chair Group Consumption and Healthy Lifestyles, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands