Planning, Implementing and Evaluating Health Promotion Programs: A Primer.

Abstract

Planning, Implementing and Evaluating Health Promotion Programs: A Primer. 4th ed. McKenzie J F, Neiger B L, Smeltzer J. San Francisco, Calif, Benjamin Cummings, 2005, softcover, 432 pp, $78.80. Traditionally, physical therapist interventions have been designed to treat patients who have illnesses or impairments. The focus has been on meeting needs of individuals who are sick, rather than on providing services that would prevent illness from occurring in first place. The number of individuals living with chronic health conditions is a growing concern. Over next 25 years, number is expected to double as baby boomers age, creating enormous demands for health care and social services. The cost for these services will occur at same time that health care system is facing pressure to decrease expenditures. Diet, exercise, avoidance of tobacco, and moderate alcohol use would prevent many of these illnesses from occurring, while reducing both morbidity and mortality. Thus, need for health care providers who can promote a healthier lifestyle and prevent onset of chronic illness has become increasingly clear. With knowledge of efficacy of diet and exercise interventions, and skill in patient education, physical therapists are well suited to provide both primary and secondary prevention activities that would help address this problem. McKenzie, Neiger, and Smeltzer have written a text that covers theoretical and practical knowledge to develop and implement health promotion programs. It provides foundational material for learners who are new to this field of study. The initial chapter does an excellent job describing concept of health education as compared to health promotion. Most physical therapists will find role of health educator to be very familiar and comfortable while inaccurately assuming that this is synonymous with health promotion. Health promotion is a combination of activities that go beyond mere education to include the competent implementation of behavioral change strategies, health education, health protection measures, risk factor detection, health enhancement and health maintenance. The book is divided into 3 sections. Part One focuses on planning a health promotion program; Part Two addresses ways to implement a health promotion program; and Part Three covers evaluation of a health promotion program. Each chapter is well-organized and begins with clear, well-stated objectives. These objectives are followed by a list of key terms that will be covered in chapter, enhancing learner focus on material to be mastered. At end of each chapter are questions that test learner's knowledge of facts that were presented. The text then guides application of this information by providing activities that ask for comparison, analysis, evaluation, and development of ideas based on material. This is followed by a final set of learning activities that are based on information and resources that are found on World Wide Web. The inclusion of these learning activities provides instructor with multiple strategies to take student's knowledge beyond mere memorization of facts. Part One is designed to guide learner in developing and preparing a health promotion program. Chapter Two begins with Models for Program Planning in Health Promotion, including theoretical basis for how to approach problem, and how to identify basic components necessary to a successful plan. The remaining chapters in this section elaborate on components of planning process. Chapter Three describes importance of a planning committee to starting planning process, while Chapter Four provides information on assessing needs. Identifying data sources, selecting most appropriate source, and collecting data are described. …