Evaluating Public Health Programs - PDM1156

Evaluation in public health is not just about measuring what we do, but how we do it, and what impact we’re having on the wellbeing of the people we work with. Evaluation helps us work out whether our programs are achieving what we expect, and what we can improve to maximise wellbeing outcomes.
In addition to learning the theories behind evaluation, participants will learn the process of designing a best-practice evaluation, including choosing which tools to use, as well as how to measure different outcomes using both quantitative and qualitative methods and tools.

Who should attend

This course is designed specifically for professionals evaluating public health programs and interventions.

What you will learn

On completion of this course participants will be able to:

  • Discuss and investigate how evaluations measure the effect of public health programs and explain the importance of evaluations in terms of influencing long-term public health outcomes.
  • Apply program design features to various public health programs, including critically evaluating differing theoretical approaches to evaluation design.
  • Distinguish the different levels of evaluation and consider how they work together to provide a comprehensive assessment of a program.
  • Construct evaluation designs to measure public health programs that are specific to stakeholder priorities and objectives.
  • Select evaluation methods appropriate to an evaluation design, and apply tools and resources specific to public health promotion.
  • Create an evaluation plan that is tailored to a specific public health program, which critically communicates the scope of the evaluation and how it will be delivered.

Program structure

DAY 1

  • Foundations, purpose and scope of public health evaluation
  • Approaches to study designs / levels of evaluation
  • Quantitative methods for measuring evaluation
  • Qualitative methods for measuring evaluation

DAY 2

  • Program Logics
  • Theory of change and program logic models
  • Program evolution
  • Stakeholder identification
  • Inputs, activities, outputs, short-medium-long term outcomes
  • Using program logics in practice

DAY 3

  • Measuring impacts
  • Process evaluation and program monitoring
  • Tools for measuring changes in knowledge, attitudes, behaviour, participation, partnerships, systems
  • Writing the evaluation report

Accelerate your qualification

Eligible participants who complete the micro-credential can receive 6 credit points of unspecified credit towards the Master of Public Health.

Note: Successful completion of a micro-credential does not guarantee admission into an award course. Prospective students must meet the eligibility and admission requirements for the award course. A micro-credential can only be used as credit towards a single degree on one occasion, and is valid for 7 years.

For more details please email pgradenq@monash.edu or shortcourses.depm@monash.edu

Dr Heather Morris and Melissa Savaglio

https://www.monash.edu/medicine/sphpm/study/professional-education/terms-and-conditions