Factors Influencing the Utilization of Results: A Case Study of an Evaluation of an Adult Day Care Program

Abstract

Abstract: With increasing emphasis on outcome research in health care, there is concern about the poor utilization of evaluative research findings at the organizational level. This article examines the factors that influence utilization of results at a local agency and program level. The selected findings of an evaluation of one small adult day-care program will be used as a case study to illustrate the issues associated with these utilization factors. Three broad categories will be addressed in the discussion: structural factors, factors associated with the research process itself, and factors related to the organizational climate of the agency.