Evaluation of the effectiveness of the South Central Center for Public Health Preparedness training.

Abstract

The literature has long recognized the need for comprehensive, systematic evaluation of the effectiveness of training with respect to increasing both trainingrelated knowledge and performance, and reducing negative outcomes.1–3 As part of the ongoing quality control activities, an evaluation process was established for assessing the effectiveness of training delivered at the South Central Center for Public Health Preparedness (SCCPHP). This comprehensive training evaluation framework is straightforward and provides information on course presentation, student learning and performance, and the impact of the training on enhancing the preparedness of the public health workforce. The Tulane SCCPHP evaluation process is consistent with the academic literature and specifically with Kirkpatrick’s logical steps for evaluating training4,5 that have been utilized to assess other occupational training programs.6 Data resulting from the evaluation process can be used not only to continuously improve the effectiveness of the training delivered at the SCCPHP, but also to provide evidence of the benefits of the training in improving the preparedness of the public health workforce to secure new and continued support by the public and private sectors. This report provides information regarding the SCCPHP training evaluation process, including detailed descriptions of the four types of evaluation, the processes associated with developing and conducting each type, and the implications of adopting this framework.