Evaluation of training effectiveness in the Spanish health sector

Abstract

PurposeThe evaluation of training results in large groups with limited resources is one of the challenges of organisations. This paper aims to provide a methodological approach to facilitate evaluation of training among large groups. The paper presents the tools and the results of an evaluation of a whole training plan on the rational use of medicines addressed to 1,550 health professionals in Spain.Design/methodology/approachTwo questionnaires were administered to the trainees in order to evaluate transfer of training: one questionnaire upon finishing the training session and another one two months later. A total sample of 351 subjects was obtained from 53 different training programs linked with the rational use of medicines.FindingsResults show that most of the trainees had improved their professional performance, especially the duties related to the selection and use of medicines. Key factors for transfer, such as motivation and support from the organisation, which are present when the transfer is higher, were also detected.Practical implicationsThe research offers an easily applicable tool that can be used by organisations with few resources available for evaluation. The tool allows evaluation of the maintenance of the acquired learning, the particular changes in professional performance that prevail in time, and the factors that contribute to such changes.Originality/valueThis study provides a model to evaluate transfer of training that can be useful for practitioners and researchers who want to evaluate training effectiveness among large groups. It also contributes relevant information about the health sector and about large organisations with a lot of working offices, which could help advancing towards improving the effectiveness of training.

Identifying, Evaluating and Prioritizing the Factors Affecting the Effectiveness of In-Service Training Courses (Case Study: English Language Teachers of the Secondary Schools in Tehran Selected Districts)

“…This finding is consistent with that of the research performed by Abili et al (2009), andMahmoudi et al (2012). On the other hand, the effectiveness of organizational factors on the effectiveness of in-service training courses is consistent with the finding obtained from the research performed by Herrero et al (2011).…”

The consequences of transfer of training for service quality and job satisfaction: an empirical study in the Malaysian public sector

“…To the knowledge of the researcher, no studies have been conducted previously to empirically examine those associations, particularly in the context of Malaysian public sector organizations. Most of the previous transfer of training studies have focused on examining the factors that are associated with transfer of training (Holton et al ., ; Pineda‐Herrero et al ., ), and therefore have not adequately addressed how employees are affected by transfer of training (Burke & Hutchins, ). Finally, this study extends the discussion and understanding of the consequences of transfer of training on employees in the non‐Western context, specifically public sector organizations in Malaysia, a developing country in Southeast Asia.…”

“…First, it provides empirical evidence on the consequences of transfer of training on service quality and job satisfaction. Researchers have argued that studying the consequences of transfer of training on employees is an important research direction (Burke & Hutchins, ; Chiaburu et al ., 2010b) as most transfer of training studies have only focused on examining the factors that are associated with the transfer itself (Holton et al ., ; Pineda‐Herrero et al ., ). Second, this study will develop a better understanding of the consequences of transfer of training on employees of public sector organizations in the non‐Western context, in this case Malaysia, a Southeast Asian developing country.…”

Developing General Training Effectiveness Scale for the Malaysian Workplace Learning

“…Given this willingness for employee training, measuring its effectiveness becomes a necessary component in improving productivity as well as to develop the human capital (Schonewille, 2001;Ramos et al, 2004). To this end a handful of models and approaches to evaluate its effectiveness have been suggested (e.g., Brinkerhoff, 2006;Pineda-Herrero et al, 2011).…”