Discussion 4

Comparative Logic Modeling for policy analysis: the case of HIV testing policy change at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Authors: Langer EM; Department of Health Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. Gifford AL Chan K

Source: Health Services Research [Health Serv Res] 2011 Oct; Vol. 46 (5), pp. 1628-45. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 Jun 20.

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language: English

Journal Info: Publisher: Blackwell Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0053006 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1475-6773 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00179124 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Health Serv Res Subsets: MEDLINE Original Publication: Chicago, Hospital Research and Educational Trust.

s :

Organizational Policy* Policy Making* Veterans* HIV Infections/*diagnosis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Health Services Research ; Humans ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Retrospective Studies ; United States ; United States Department of Veterans Affairs

A Objective: Logic models have been used to evaluate policy programs, plan projects, and allocate resources. Logic modeling for policy analysis has been used rarely in health services research but can be helpful in evaluating the content and rationale of health policies. Comparative Logic Modeling is used here on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) policy statements from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We created visual representations of proposed HIV screening policy components in order to evaluate their structural logic and research-based justifications. Data Sources and Study Design: We performed content analysis of VA and CDC HIV testing policy documents in a retrospective case study. Data Collection: Using comparative Logic Modeling, we examined the content and primary sources of policy statements by the VA and CDC. We then quantified evidence-based causal inferences within each statement. Principal Findings: VA HIV testing policy structure largely replicated that of the CDC guidelines. Despite similar design choices, chosen research citations did not overlap. The agencies used evidence to emphasize different components of the policies. Conclusion: Comparative Logic Modeling can be used by health services researchers and policy analysts more generally to evaluate structural differences in health policies and to analyze

research-based rationales used by policy makers. (© Health Research and Educational Trust.)

R e

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Date Created: 20110622 Date Completed: 20111102 Latest Revision: 20181113