This article presents the evaluation meth odology used in an NIMHfunded continuing education project for mental health
professionals. The 96 participants who
completed the course in three distinct cy
cles came both as work teams from agen cies and as individuals and had protential
impact on 1700 staff and 6913 clients.
Forty-eight quantifiable and two qualitative dependent measures were used to
assess participants' perceptions of the course,
knowledge and attitudes, clinical behaviors
as reflected in work environment and ward
atmosphere, and impact on client status. A
controlled experimental design with pre- test, posttest, andfollow-up data collection
points was planned. Problems encountered
and evaluation findings suggest the need
for different types of evaluation strategies.
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