FEiA Impact Evaluation

Written By Patrick Tappouras

FEiA is focused on delivering high-impact programs that strengthen health systems and ultimately save lives. Impact evaluation is the process of measuring and documenting our progress towards reaching these goals - specifically, it seeks to establish whether an intervention has made a difference in the lives of people it aims to help.

What is FEiA’s Impact Evaluation Project?

This project aims to develop and test an impact evaluation framework for Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) that is informed by theory, culture and context that can be applied across diverse settings.

The goal is to provide a flexible and rigorous approach for investigating FETP outcomes and impact, with particular emphasis on programs being run in low- and middle-income countries

The Impact evaluation will:

 1.      Assess the extent to which FETP contributed to increased knowledge and skills of graduates in relation to core field epidemiology competencies.

2.       Assess the extent to which FETP graduates translate field epidemiology knowledge and skills into public health action.

3.       Assess the extent to which the FETP graduates impacted public health in the communities they serve.

4.       Identify common enablers and barriers to knowledge translation amongst the FETP graduates.

5.       Identify unintended positive and negative consequences of the FETP training model on trainees.

6.       Identify specific areas where FETP can be improved to maximise outputs, outcomes and impact.

The Impact evaluation will utilise a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design based on Theory of Change, the New World Kirkpatrick Model and the Success Case Method.

Why is FEiA Impact Evaluation needed?

Despite the success of the FETP model globally, there have been relatively few evaluations published. Those that have been published have focused on variables that are easy to measure, such as process and output indicators. There are very few evaluations focusing on the outcomes and impacts of FETPs. International development agencies are placing increasing emphasis on addressing development effectiveness and impact. Given the high monetary and opportunity costs of FETP programs, the move towards demonstrating value for money and measuring impact is a very reasonable expectation. Demands for increased accountability and demonstrated returns on investment has come not only from donors, but also from program beneficiaries.

Outcomes of FEiA Impact Evaluation

This project will develop and apply an impact evaluation framework to the Field Epidemiology Training Program of Papua New Guinea (FETPNG), the advanced Field Epidemiology Training Program of Papua New Guinea (aFETPNG) and the Solomon Islands Field Epidemiology Training Program (Sols FETP).

If you are interested in our framework and the tools we use for the evaluation, please get in touch. Everything FEiA develops is freely available to our colleagues and partners.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Patrick Tappouras
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