Health Program Evaluation

 It is necessary to perform continual evaluation and measures in order to know how effective, efficient, and successful a new health promotion program is after implementation. Various methods measurement exists to aid in program evaluation.

 

 

 The first step in determining an optimal evaluation method is to clarify the purpose of the health promotion campaign and engage community partners to aid in the process of gathering resources and funds (Brug, Tak, & Te Velde, 2011). For example, a new oral health promotion program may aim to promote overall oral health, improve access to dental services, and reduce the occurrence of dental caries. The community partners, such as local dentists, local schools, and after school programs for children can assist in the evaluation process. These partners can assist in the promotion, implementation, and tracking of the new program by volunteering time, staff, and resources as well as offering data about the children seen through the program.

 Once the purpose of the health promotion campaign is established and community partners are involved, it is necessary to choose the best evaluation method and determine the appropriate methods of measurement. The primary methods of evaluation are formative, process, summative, or a combination of the processes. A formative evaluation is undertaken during the initial, or design, phase of a project and answers questions about how to improve and refine a developing or ongoing program (Singh, 2007). Process evaluations answer questions about the types and quantities of services delivered, the beneficiaries of those services, the resources used to deliver the services, the practical problems encountered, and the ways such problems were resolved (Singh, 2007). Summative evaluations are conducted at a program's end and usually include a synthesis of process and impact that answers questions about program quality for the purposes of accountability and decision making (Singh, 2007).

 Evaluation measurements can be qualitative or quantitative and can be collected through various direct and indirect means at different times throughout the life of the program. Quantitative measurements assess objectives by collecting numeric data and performing statistical analysis on the data, while qualitative data assess objectives based on descriptive data (Brug, Tak, & Te Velde, 2011). Direct methods of measurement include length and time measurements, while indirect methods of measurement include surveys and interviews (Brug, Tak, & Te Velde, 2011).

 

Brug, J., Tak, N.I., & Te Velde, S.J. (2011). Evaluation of nationwide health promotion campaigns in The Netherlands: an exploration of practices, wishes and opportunities. Health Promotion International, 26(2), 244-254.

 Singh, K. (2007). Quantitative social research methods. London: Sage Publications.University of Toronto, Centre for Health Promotion, the Health Communication Unit. (n.d.).