Using workshops to develop Theories of Change in five low and middle income countries
Abstract
The Theory of Change (ToC) approach has been used to develop and evaluate complex health initiatives in a participatory way in high income countries. Little is known about its use to develop mental health care plans in low and middle income countries where mental health services remain inadequate. ToC workshops were held as part of the PRIME programme.They aimed: to develop a structured logical and evidence-based ToC map as a basis for a mental health care plan in each district; to contextualise the plans; to obtain stakeholder buy-in in Ethiopia, India, Nepal, South Africa and Uganda. This study describes the structure and facilitator’s experiences of ToC workshops. This research is supported by the Department for International Development’s Programme for Improving Mental Health Care (PRIME) which is led by University of Cape Town