Table 3

Outcome variables of the process evaluation

Process evaluation outcome variables

BDP

FU1

FU2

Programme performed according to protocol

Duration of each session

RF^l

-

-

Deviations from the protocol

RF^l

-

-

Attendance by the patients

Reasons for refusal before start of the programme

TI^p

-

-

Number of sessions attended by each patient

RF^l

-

-

Reasons for stopping during the programme

TI^p

-

-

Adherence by patients

Overall adherence

RF^l

-

-

Adherence regarding homework assignments

-

Q^p/Q^l

-

Opinion about the programme

Extent of benefits from the programme

-

Q^p

Q^p

Strong and weak points of the programme (sessions)

RF^l

Q^p/Q^l

-

General opinion about the quality of the leaders

Q^p/Q^l

-

General opinion about the programme

RF^l

Q^p/Q^l

^-

Recommending the programme to other patients

-

Q^p

-

Programme contributions

-

Q^p/Q^l

Q^p

Recommendations for improvement

-

Q^p/Q^l

-

BDP = before or during programme; FU1 = immediate follow-up; FU2 = follow-up at 12 months; RF = recording form (filled in after each session); Q = questionnaire; TI = telephone interview

Data collected from: ^l = leaders; ^p = patients

Smeulders et al. BMC Health Services Research 2006 6:91   doi:10.1186/1472-6963-6-91