Independent Evaluation of Q
On this page
Overview
Q has commissioned Picker to undertake a two-year independent evaluation of its overall impact on members, their improvement work and the wider health and care system.
The independent evaluation team, led by Picker, will help Q to understand how impact is achieved, and ways that it might increase impact in the future so that, together, we can improve health and care. They will build on the considerable evaluation work already undertaken including RAND Europe’s evaluation (2016-2020) and our ongoing in-house evaluation work.
What will the evaluation team do?
Picker and their partners have published a research protocol, which sets out how they and their partners will conduct their research.
The independent evaluation team will use a combination of qualitative methods (eg interviews, case studies, workshops and desk research) and quantitative approaches (eg surveys) to collect and analyse data between 2023 and 2025. As part of the analysis, the team will:
- explore the causal relationship of Q offers on outcomes
- be able to attribute impact to specific Q interventions
- assess the value for money of Q
- explore the combination of Q pathways that best create impact depending on the resources available
Why is this important and what does it mean for Q members and others?
The evaluation will provide high quality evidence on Q’s impact and play a key role in informing the decisions about Q’s future strategic development beyond 2025. The independent evaluation team are keen to hear from as many members as possible and will be inviting Q members to take part in workshops, interviews and surveys over the course of the two-year evaluation.
How will the opportunities and findings be shared?
Q will aim to provide regular updates to members about activities and progress throughout the course of the evaluation, for example via our Q-municate newsletter and social media channels. A final report will detail the methodology, key findings and recommendations and will be made publicly available in summer 2025.
How is the evaluation progressing?
Hundreds of Q members contributed in the first year of the evaluation, through a series of interviews, workshops, and a member-wide survey. In the second year of the evaluation, the insights from these will be worked up into case studies and further data will be gathered through further interviews, workshops and in a second all-member survey in autumn 2024.
We have also commissioned Picker to undertake additional deep dive evaluations of Q Exchange and Q Labs. These are standalone pieces but will also be integrated into the overarching evaluation.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has fed into the evaluation so far and hope as many members as possible will continue to do so. By sharing your honest perspectives and experiences, you will help inform how we can better serve your needs and enable a culture and practice of improvement that supports high quality care for all.
Who are the independent evaluation team?
The evaluation is being conducted by international charity Picker Institute Europe, (‘Picker’) with support from ResPeo and Health Care Priority Solutions LTD. Picker supports health and care organisations and has ‘high quality person centred care for all’ at the heart of its vision.
The evaluation started in April 2023 and ends in summer 2025. It is being guided by an Evaluation Advisory Group, which includes some Q members.
How can Q members and others find out more?
For further information about the evaluation, please see the full protocol.
If you have any questions about the evaluation or for more information, please contact:
Amy Tallett, Head of Research at Picker
+44 (0) 1865 208115
Amy.Tallett@PickerEurope.ac.uk
Molly Blackwell, Senior Research Associate at Picker
+44 (0) 1865 208111
Molly.Blackwell@PickerEurope.ac.uk