Assessing Equity in the Provision of Community Based Health Services: A Post-Mortem Analysis

Abstract

This practice note addresses challenges encountered in assessing client equity in the provision of health services by a large, urban community health services organization. A client equity data-collection tool was designed and health services staff were trained in its use. Anticipated and unanticipated challenges arose in developing training materials, delivering staff training, fostering staff buy-in, administering the data-collection tool, assuring data quality, and interpreting results. Strategies for mitigating the challenges are presented.