Assessing the chronic disease capacity of a State Health Department using PHFAST

The Public Health Framework Assessment Tool (PHFAST) is an evidence-based chronic disease capacity assessment tool that draws upon the CDC’s “Promising Practices in Chronic Disease Prevention and Control: Public Health Framework for Action” and the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors’ (NACDD) State Technical Assistance and Review Program (STAR).  Core components of effective chronic disease prevention programs assessed through the tool include:  Leadership, Epidemiology and Surveillance, Partnerships, State Plans, Interventions, Program Management and Administration, and Program Integration.  PHFAST touches on key points in each core component allowing for a general assessment of current standing with an opportunity to more deeply analyze where necessary.  PHFAST was designed as a qualitative instrument, there has been increasing interest in a quantitative application.

In May 2012, the Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Branch within the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services used PHFAST to examine their organizational capacity and inform their work towards chronic disease coordination. Montana piloted PHFAST as a survey tool. This quantitative application allowed for broader input and documentation of strengths and weaknesses using a four point Likert scale.

The survey results informed strategic planning and continuous quality improvement for the Bureau.  48-50 staff responded.  Results demonstrated organizational strength in Epidemiology/Surveillance and Evaluation while the Coordination and State Plans categories were identified as the areas in most need of improvement.  A capacity building plan was developed based on the PHFAST results and a follow-up assessment wass conducted in the fall of 2013.