Fidelis de Almeida P; Escorel S. Da avaliação em saúde à avaliação em saúde mental: gênese, aproximações teóricas e questões atuais. [From the evaluation of health to the evaluation of mental health: genesis, theoretical approximations, and current questions.] Saúde em Debate (Health in Debate) 2001 May-August; 24(58):35-47.

Objectives: To analyze definitions of evaluation and related methodologies as applied to mental health services.

Methodology: Critical bibliographic review.

Results: The research shows that evaluation, both in the present and in previous contexts, can be characterized as an inclusive and participative process of negotiation between the evaluator and the evaluated person or program. Evaluation permits those processes currently underway to be reinvigorated, so as to correct or avoid errors and to put in place strategies to improve the quality of offered care. The authors describe different types of evaluation and analyze problems related to the ideological orientation of the evaluator and to the political and ideological context within which the service or program under evaluation operates.

The article describes different Latin American experiences in the evaluation of health institutions and analyzes innovative proposals for mental health evaluation. These proposals could be linked to the changes carried out through the Brazilian Psychiatric Reform and could facilitate their evaluation. The authors point out the advances as well as the ethical, methodological, and theoretical obstacles that evaluation in mental health presents.

Conclusions: The methodologies of participative evaluation help overcome difficulties in the evaluation of innovative forms of care with people suffering from mental health problems since these methodologies bring together all those involved in the process (professionals, technical personnel, family members, users, and managers).