Outcomes evaluation methods and applications

¶ … health projects is of high importance, both for the health community, and for the donors and other such participants. This paper will thus examine four questions, presented sequentially below, and will answer them from the perspective of outcomes evaluation for a health project.

What are the specific outcomes you expect or desire as a result of implementing your community health project?

Due to the fact that health initiatives are delivered through structured programs and complementary activities, one must, of course, examine results to see whether the program was successful or not. In order to be successful, one should desire the following:

-full utilization of time

-full utilization of resources

-determination of whether the program is efficiently meeting the participants' needs and expectations

-finding ways to improve a program

-demonstrating how much the program impacts its subjects and how effective it is (i.e. To stakeholders). (HCU, 2007)

These are, of course the pillars of an effective evaluation. However, as a result of implementation one should desire these in addition to four specific areas, which include:

1. Outcomes -- these should evaluate the program and whether the goals have been achieved.

2. Impacts -- these should evaluate what impact, if any, the program had upon its participants.

3. Cost-benefit analysis -- important measures of costs of the program and the benefits, all in monetary terms.

4. Cost-effectiveness evaluation -- this is once again the evaluation expressed in monetary terms and should ask the questions "what can be done better next time?" (HCU, 2007)

2. What resources did you consult in formulating these outcomes?

The resources consulted are presented below in the form of four articles and one extra source the simplifies one's understanding of what one ought to look for. All resources were selected due to their pertinence and their attention to detail with respect to the case at hand, as well as their medical knowledge of the issue and what one ought to look for in outcomes evaluation.

3. How do you intend to monitor and evaluate the results of your program? Offer a rationale for your plan.

Monitoring the plan will be done through process evaluation that can address tracking the quantity and description of people who are reached by the program, tacking the services provided, describing how they are provided, what occurs while providing and the quality of the service that are provided to the community. Furthermore, this monitoring part should also include implementation evaluation. (HCU, 2007)

4. In what ways might you utilize the actual outcomes to improve the program?

The outcomes can always be utilized to improve the program. For instance, talking to the people who benefit from the program is just as valuable as speaking to those who felt that their needs were not being met. Feedback, which can be done in the last part of monitoring, implementation evaluation, is very important, especially to finding whether the program is sustainable. (Hanson/Salomi, 2010).

Resources Consulted for this document:

Utilized the four resources provided by the customer as a background:

Hanson, H., Salmoni, A.W., & Volpe, R. (2009). Defining program sustainability: Differing views of stakeholders. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 100(4), 304-309. Retrieved January 23, 2010, from http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mnh&AN=19722346&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Reavy, K., & Tavernier, S. (2008). Nurses reclaiming ownership of their practice: Implementation of an evidence-based practice model and process. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 39(4), 166-172. Retrieved January 23, 2010, from http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rzh&AN=2009897763&site=ehost-live&scope=site