Outcomes and Evaluation of Community Health Project Essay

Outcomes and Evaluation of Community Health Project It is important to evaluate any public health program to determine its contribution and health impact on the population it was designed to help, in addition to its sustainability. Processes should be established during the inception of the program to establish a baseline, and methods of gathering data, which would be used for this evaluation. The RE-AIM evaluation model was chosen to guide the process of evaluating the American Indian Diabetes Program (AIDP). This paper examines how the AIDP program’s methods and results will be measured and evaluated to ensure the best possible outcomes. Outcomes and Evaluation of Community Health Project Essay

Elements of the Evaluation Model The RE-AIM model is specifically well suited for evaluating the population based-impact of large public health programs. It contends that some more effective, expensive, programs that conduct trials using a highly motivated population, are usually not generalizable to the real world. It is preferable for a program to have a more realistic efficacy goal, reach more people, and achieve a larger adoption by communities and policy makers, a program that is implemented as intended, and results in behavioral change that is maintained over the long term (Glasgow, Vogt, & Boles, 1999). Outcomes and Evaluation of Community Health Project Essay

The name RE-AIM is an acronym that stands for reach, efficacy, adoption, implementation, and maintenance. The five RE-AIM dimensions are each given a 0 to 1 (or 0% to 100%) score during program evaluation (Glasgow et al. , 1999). It is suggested that the program’s implementation be evaluated over a period of at least 6 months to a year, and 2 years or longer for the maintenance portion of the program (Glasgow et al, 1999). This model is appropriate to use as a framework for evaluating the AIDP because it works well with programs that seek to reach large numbers of people.

In the AIDP we will be attempting to screen the entire adult Indian reservation population for diabetes or pre-diabetes. The model also works well with programs that require more than one intervention. This program offers both preventative and disease management interventions. We will be evaluating the marketing, screening, and the education process of the diabetes prevention side of the program by taking an initial census of the reservation adult population (age 18 and older), and comparing that number with those who participate in the screening and attend educational classes. Outcomes and Evaluation of Community Health Project Essay

This will demonstrate the programs reach. “Screening for type 2 diabetes in high risk populations is widely recommended” because epidemiological studies have shown evidence to suggest that 30% to 50% of all diabetics are undiagnosed (Goyder, Wild, Fischbacher, Carlisle, & Peters, 2008, p. 370). This could be especially true for the American Indian. We will also be doing further tests on those who have been shown to be pre-diabetics and diabetics. Both groups plus family members will go through diabetes education courses.

Those with pre-diabetes would be rechecked every six months the first year and every six months in following years, with telephone follow-up on diet changes and exercise progress in between. All data would be recorded for future evaluation. The diabetics would be seen quarterly and all test results, patient compliance to diabetes management practices, along with physical improvement or complications would be utilized for evaluation via record review. It would be necessary to obtain patient consent prior to their participation in the program.

Measurable Objectives There are four main objectives this program would be seeking to achieve: behavioral changes, early diabetes detection, improved communication, and better monitoring in disease management. The expected early detection of pre-diabetes and new cases of diabetes would be high, perhaps 14. 2% or higher during the initial adult population screening, since diabetes among American Indians is more than twice that of white Americans which by comparison is 7. 1% (CDC, 2011). Outcomes and Evaluation of Community Health Project Essay

Behavioral changes would be measured at all levels of the program. After a baseline behavior survey was taken, at six months and a year, population behavior changes would be measured by telephone surveys. Those with pre-diabetes would come in for weight checks every three months, after receiving the healthy diet and exercise education and weight loss counseling if necessary. Any weight improvements based on each individual’s ideal weight for height and gender, as well as their 6 month fasting blood glucose results, along with patient’s description of iet and exercise routine which would be scored from 1 to 5 with 5 being best, this should indicate behavioral change. These changes would be tracked and averaged to determine the overall result. Because the American Indian population is so far behind in healthy behaviors than the rest of the population, there needs to be a 20% improvement in lifestyle changes. Behavior changes are especially necessary in people who have been diagnosed with diabetes. After attending the diabetes disease management training, patients would be monitored for following the guidelines. Outcomes and Evaluation of Community Health Project Essay