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Annex D:
Topic Guide for Stakeholder Interviews

External Evaluation of PATH:

Topic Guide for Stakeholder Interviews

1. Introduction and "Ground Rules"

YHEC interviewer will introduce herself and ask if the respondent objects to the interview being taped. She will also remind the interviewee of the points covered in the email from YHEC that confirmed the date and time of the interview (e.g. use of quotes; "off record" comments; circulation of main points from interview for checking).

• Interviewee to confirm their name, position and employing organisation, plus their email address;
• YHEC to check whether tobacco control/smoking cessation is the core element of their work;
• Interviewee to inform YHEC of any other tobacco control/smoking cessation bodies to which they contribute (e.g. through membership of an Advisory Group).

2. Overall knowledge of PATH

• Ask respondent to outline their personal connection with PATH and the nature, duration and frequency of their contacts with PATH;
• Ask respondents to outline their understanding of PATH's remit (e.g. its objectives, structure, roles and responsibilities);
• Confirm if their perspective on PATH' work is mainly at a "national" or "local" level (see table below);
• Confirm if their knowledge of PATH is mainly at a "generic" level or relates mainly to one specific work-stream (see table below).

Examples of broad stakeholder classifications

• If you know about one or more specific elements of PATH, identify which of the following work areas are relevant:

• Training and development;
• Minimum dataset and/or national database;
• Supported projects;
• Tobacco & Inequalities work (with respect to mental health; older adults; ethnicity);
• Other elements (e.g. youth development).

3. Impact of PATH at a National Level

• Overall impression of PATH:
• • Do you think PATH has a high profile in relation to work on tobacco control and smoking cessation in Scotland?
  • Do you know of any other organisations doing similar work?
  • • If YES, Specify which and explore how PATH compares with it/them.
  • What are PATH's main achievements (especially since 2005)?
  • Have these been greater or less than you expected?
  • What do you think PATH does well (focus on and prioritise "the best 3")?
  • What do you think PATH could do better (focus on and prioritise "the weakest 3")?
  • Is there anything else you think PATH should have done/be doing?
  • Is there anything you think PATH should not have done/be doing?

The questions listed overleaf under 4 - 8 will only be asked of those who identified these as areas where they have knowledge/experience of PATH's work (or would be expected to have, based on their job title and employer). The questions will explore the respondent's views on PATH's current strengths and weaknesses and on future opportunities for improvement and possible future threats.

4. Specific questions on Training and Development

• Explore knowledge and/or experience of the three PATH courses accredited by Glasgow Caledonian University (personal and/or feedback from colleagues):
• • Brief advice for smoking cessation;
  • Providing specialist smoking cessation support to individuals;
  • Providing specialist smoking cessation support to groups.
• Explore knowledge and/or experience of PATH's Approval Scheme for local training courses.

5. Specific questions on Minimum Dataset and National Database

• Minimum Dataset:
• • Explore awareness (personal and/or of colleagues) of dataset and guidelines;
  • Frequency of use by self (and by colleagues, if known);
  • Feedback from users of dataset and guidelines.
• National Database:
• • Explore awareness (personal and/or of colleagues) of database and guidelines;
  • Frequency of use by self (and by colleagues, if known);
  • Feedback from users of database and guidelines.

6. Specific questions on Supported Projects

• Do you know anything about any of these projects (see http://www.ashscotland.org.uk/ash/3781.6.663.html for details) and, if so, which ones?
• How have you learned about them (e.g. website; dissemination event)?
• Were any projects located in your NHS Health Board (and if so, which project/s)?
• Explore the recent impact of these projects (i.e. since external evaluation of 2006):
• • Local impact (e.g. since cessation of PATH funding)
  • Wider impact (e.g. spread to other areas)
• PATH dissemination events:
• • Dissemination of PATH Support Fund (9 May 2007);
  • Tobacco Talking Back: A Joint Information Sharing Day - Tobacco & Inequalities and PATH Projects (14 September 2005);
  • • Did you attend either of these?
    • • If YES: Explore views;
      • If NO: Why not?
• Ask respondents with good knowledge of the Supported Projects for their views on the appropriateness and relevance of the selected project topics.

7. Specific questions on Tobacco & Inequalities work

1. Explore the knowledge and views of PATH's contribution to reducing tobacco-related inequalities of any respondents identifying this work-stream earlier in the interview.

8. Specific questions on any other areas of PATH's work

1. Explore the knowledge and views of any respondents identifying any other areas earlier in the interview.

9. Concluding questions about PATH (all respondents)

These concluding questions will be linked back to the views expressed under Topic 3:

• Has PATH made a difference at a national level - what do you think would and/or would not have happened in its absence?
• Has PATH made a difference to your work (e.g. what you do; how you do things)?
• Has PATH provided value for money - overall and within its specific work areas (provide examples)?
• What do you think are the options for PATH after its current tranche of funding ceases in the autumn of 2008? Which do you prefer, and why?
• Summarise your views on PATH's greatest current strength, weakness, future opportunity and future threat;
• Invite any other comments.

Thank respondent and end interview.

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