Diagnostic Assessment of Performance and Potential [DAPP] [memorandum]

This technical report which was field-tested in Africa was developed as reference and background information for a worldwide audience of family planning(FP)/reproductive health (RH) evaluators program managers service managers researchers and trainers. The document describes the Diagnostic Assessment of Performance and Potential (DAPP) procedure a new experimental approach devised by INTRAH (the Program for International Training in Health) to assess the feasibility of training an existing cadre of health workers to deliver FP/RH services. DAPP seeks 1) to identify the ability of a specific cadre of workers to provide FP/RH services 2) to identify the currently provided FP/RH services 3) to assess the current level of performance of the cadre 4) to investigate key variables in the current or prospective work environment 5) to determine the health workers training and supervision perceptions and preferences and 6) to determine the FP/RH service perceptions and preferences of clients and the community. Data for DAPP are gathered through cadre members cadre trainers and cadre supervisors by means of questionnaire/interview schedules knowledge tests and skills assessment; a health facility assessment tool; and cadre clients and community focus groups. Examples of the application of DAPP in Tanzania and Burkina Faso are attached to this report.