Identification and characterization of constituent elements of an intervention: pre-evaluation of the "ParticipaSUS" policy

This article presents the results of a pre-evaluation of the National Policy of Strategic and Participative Management of the Unified Health System (ParticipaSUS). It involved a feasibility study conducted between October 2010 and March 2011 with Federal Management and the Strategic and Participative Management Department/Ministry of Health as the unit of analysis. Document analysis was performed and consensus meetings were held with professionals of the SSPM/MH and academic area. A logical model and analysis and judgment matrix with criteria, indicators, standards, data sources and cut-off points was prepared. A description of the intervention elicited discussion on concepts, principles, guidelines and actions. The consensus was that the principles and guidelines prioritized the 'Support to Participative Management' component. The focal point for elaboration of the logical model was action at federal level on each component, as official documents failed to list them. The ParticipaSUS policy is an intervention open to evaluation, albeit its plausibility has been established. The pre-evaluation proved to be appropriate and better understood by professionals, with clearer definition of objectives and goals, while duly highlighting priority areas for future evaluation.