Oral

This panel will present an overview of the evaluation framework developed by the National Cancer Institute’s Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) to evaluate programs addressing cancer health disparities. The framework is grounded on the evaluation feedback loop, which identifies a continuing process of information gathering for program improvement. Steps include background information gathering, evaluation design and planning, implementation, reporting and dissemination, and identifying lessons learned to inform program improvement. The CRCHD evaluation approach uses logic models to directly link variables of interest and core data elements to specific research questions, program objectives and measures of program effectiveness. The development of data collection tools is guided by project-specific logic models. CRCHD’s evaluation framework will be exemplified by presentations on evaluations of three separate CRCHD-supported programs. Following an introduction to the session goals, we will present an overview of CRCHD’s systematic approach to evaluation. This will be followed by a presentation of the process of developing and implementing the national evaluation, with an emphasis on the collaborative process used and utilization of evaluation data to inform program improvement. The next presentation will discuss the framework and approach for this national evaluation, with an emphasis on challenges and successes in planning and implementing the multi-site program evaluation. This will be followed by a description of the steps in evaluating this established, ongoing research program, including discussion of challenges and successes in evaluating a multi-component program.

Session Objectives: At the conclusion of the panel session, the participant will be able to: 1) Describe the CRCHD evaluation framework components; 2) Describe how evaluation data can be used for continuous program improvement of national programs; 3) List the components in CRCHD’s generic logic models; 4) Describe applications of the evaluation approach to different types of programs.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing