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Issues in Evaluating Health Care Information Dissemination Programs
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| Presenter(s):
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| Boris Volkov, University of North Dakota, bvolkov@medicine.nodak.edu
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| Abstract:
This paper is focused on issues in evaluation for learning, accountability, and quality improvement in health-related projects. Specifically, it examines challenges and opportunities of using a utilization-focused, multidimensional, context sensitive evaluation approach to provide information contributing to program development and effectiveness. The case study includes the context of two federally funded Health Workforce Information Center (HWIC) and Rural Assistance Center (RAC) operated by the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota. The HWIC/RAC evaluation’s purposes include being accountable; determining whether the program has achieved its goals; identifying user needs and areas of interest; and identifying opportunities for improvement. To date, there has been limited research that investigated program evaluation implementation in the context of health care information dissemination and no published studies that used the utilization-focused, multi-dimensional evaluation framework. This paper illustrates how this approach can be used to assess health related programs.
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Assessing Health Policy Change Using an Online Survey Instrument
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| Presenter(s):
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| Annette Gardner, University of California, San Francisco, annette.gardner@ucsf.edu
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| Claire Brindis, University of California, San Francisco, claire.brindis@ucsf.edu
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| Lori Nascimento, California Endowment, lnascimento@calendow.org
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| Sara Geierstanger, University of California, San Francisco, sara.geierstanger@ucsf.edu
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| Abstract:
From 2007 to 2009, the University of California, San Francisco administered an online survey to 18 grantees funded under The California Endowment’s Clinic Consortia Policy and Advocacy Program. The objective was to quickly characterize the advocacy strategies and outcomes of 3 health policy issues targeted by grantees in the prior year. The survey takes 20-minutes to complete. UCSF compared federal, state and local policies, with the goal of informing advocacy planning for the following year. The findings indicate grantees undertake diverse activities to achieve a policy change, although nearly all focus their advocacy efforts on decision makers. Grantees partner with traditional allies to achieve these policy changes and use of the media varies by policy. Last, we identified the benefits to clinics, such as increased funding and visibility of clinics as key players in safety net.
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Evaluating the Impact of the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living: The Importance of Comprehensive Evaluation Strategies
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| Presenter(s):
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| Nikki Lawhorn, Louisiana Public Health Institute, nlawhorn@lphi.org
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| Lisanne Brown, Louisiana Public Health Institute, lbrown@lphi.org
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| Jenna Klink, Louisiana Public Health Institute, jklink@lphi.org
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| Abstract:
Launched in 2003, the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) is a statewide tobacco prevention and control program. TFL utilizes a comprehensive multi-level evaluation strategy tailored to the needs of differing audiences including funders, key stakeholders, and statewide partners. A key component of the evaluation strategy is an integrated and comprehensive evaluation plan developed in coordination with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Tobacco Control Program (LTCP). As a result of significant programmatic investment and success with other goals, Louisiana adult smoking prevalence decreased significantly from a high of 26.5% in 2003 to 20.5% in 2008, however annual reductions in smoking prevalence were not statistically significant. Tracking of relevant short and intermediate term indictors as well as ongoing process evaluation provided program leadership the evidence needed to persuade funders and other key stakeholders of program success.
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Emerging Standards for Evaluating Interactive Social Media Campaigns: Findings From Interviews With Early Innovators
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| Presenter(s):
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| David Dowler, Oregon Public Health Division, david.dowler@state.or.us
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| Abstract:
Many public health interventions have begun using interactive social media technologies to develop viral and peer-led momentum for targeted changes in knowledge and behaviors. While these emerging techniques hold potential for programs targeting younger and other hard-to-reach groups, evaluation methods for these interventions are not yet well understood or documented. To explore and summarize early standards for evaluation methods, we conducted telephone interviews with a small national panel of experts determined to have implemented and evaluated such interventions. The purpose of the project was to summarize emerging ideas and promising practices for conducting process and impact evaluations for public health interventions that used interactive online or mobile technologies. Respondents were selected across academic, marketing, and public health sources and were asked to describe evaluation methods they used, and which worked well or could have been improved. This presentation will summarize findings and offer practical recommendations for conducting similar evaluations.
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