Formative evaluation of a men's health center.

We describe an innovative approach for evaluating a men's health center. Using observation and interview, we assessed patient flow, referral patterns, patient satisfaction, and perceptions of the services' usefulness. Student assistants designed evaluation tools, hired and trained research assistants, supervised data collection, interacted with city and center officials, analyzed data, and drafted a report. To ensure patient confidentiality and anonymity, we designed an innovative observation system. The men had unique perceptions of family, requiring culturally sensitive approaches to engage them in the study. Of patients reporting to the center, 20.3% received referral services. Average satisfaction level was 5.2 (scale = 1-10). Perceived benefits to the family for 23% of respondents included cost savings, improved access, and higher service quality.