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Session Title: Building Capacity for Evaluation Among Tuberculosis (TB) Control and Prevention Programs in the United States
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Panel Session 433 to be held in Lido C on Thursday, Nov 3, 2:50 PM to 4:20 PM
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Sponsored by the Health Evaluation TIG
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| Chair(s): |
| Thomas Chapel, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tchapel@cdc.gov
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| Abstract:
Using rigorous monitoring and evaluation (M&E) as a management tool for public health programs is a recent development. M&E systems, often either non-existent or incomplete, require programs to invest significant resources on the front-end. This poses a large burden for programs already facing financial limitations. This panel session will focus on the structures and strategies used by the United States' national TB program in building evaluation capacity of state and local TB control and prevention programs. We will illustrate (1) the need for and use of monitoring systems (specifically, the National Tuberculosis Indicators Project) to focus evaluation initiatives; (2) a method (specifically, Cohort Review) to verify data quality as well as identify program processes that contribute to accountability; and (3) investment in program capacity development to ensure sustainability.
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Using National Indicators to Focus Program Evaluation at the State and Local Level
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| Brandy Peterson, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bpeterson1@cdc.gov
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The National Tuberculosis (TB) Indicators Project (NTIP) is a web-based monitoring system for tracking progress towards achieving the National TB Objectives and Performance Targets for 2015. NTIP uses routinely collected TB surveillance data from 68 jurisdictions that report annual performance on 12 objectives and 24 targets. A review of comprehensive data reports on each measure, produced by NTIP, identifies low performance indicators. Through NTIP review, technical assistance and consultation, jurisdictions are able to focus activities for program improvement. The national objectives and NTIP system demonstrate the need for clearly defined objectives and target measures, and demonstrate how monitoring can be used to focus evaluation initiatives. Ms. Peterson is a Program Evaluation Team Representative at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She is responsible for assisting in building evaluation capacity of and providing technical assistance to 13 of 68 TB programs across the United States.
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Using Cohort Review for Data Verification and Accountability
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| Judy Gibson, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, jsgibson@cdc.gov
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Cohort review (CR) is a systematic examination of the management of patients with tuberculosis (TB) disease and their contacts and a recommended practice for improving program accountability in state and local TB programs. The CR process delves into the underlying factors contributing to treatment outcomes, identifying systemic impediments. It helps program staff (1) understand the challenges patients face as they try to complete TB treatment, and (2) undertake activities required for program improvement. Through CR, programs are able to verify data for national program objectives and to understand the activities most likely to impact program targets. Ms. Gibson is a Program Evaluation Team Representative at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She is responsible for assisting in building evaluation capacity of and providing technical assistance to 9 of 68 TB programs across the United States.
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Developing a National Program Evaluation Network to Expand Local Program Evaluation Capacity
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| Lakshmy Menon, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lmenon@cdc.gov
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In 2009, to develop program evaluation capacity of grantees, CDC's Division of Tuberculosis (TB) Elimination and its external partners collaborated to establish the National TB Program Evaluation Network (TB PEN). TB PEN, comprised of designated evaluation focal points (EFPs), serves as a repository of evaluation knowledge and is a mechanism through which EFPs share their expertise and experience. EFPs also function as advocates and implementers of evaluation activities in their respective jurisdictions. TB PEN provides EFPs with multiple opportunities to increase their evaluation subject-matter knowledge, to gain exposure to numerous evaluation projects conducted by their counterparts in TB programs across the nation, and to share lessons learned with their colleagues. Ms. Menon is a Program Evaluation Team Representative at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She is responsible for assisting in building evaluation capacity of and providing technical assistance to 13 of 68 TB programs across the United States.
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