Evaluating the Impact of a Field Epidemiology Training Program

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT 

There are very few published evaluations focusing on outcomes and impacts of Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs). While easier to implement, process and output evaluations are limited in their capacity to assess FETPs against their overarching aim: to improve the health of populations by improving the ability to detect, investigate and respond to public health threats. Measuring impact is complex and challenging, however, it is necessary to ensure FETP programs remain relevant and are achieving their ultimate goal. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a desire to capture impact of FETP training on a country’s pandemic preparedness and response. There has also been recognition of the need to reflect on core competencies and curricula to ensure we are equipping graduates with skills needed for future pandemics. This, in combination with a greater focus on quality assurance of FETP programs, has highlighted the need for programs to review monitoring and evaluation strategies to capture impact. Demonstrating impact provides an important advocacy tool for national ministries and demonstrates accountability to funders. Whilst there is a recognized need and growing desire to evaluate the impact of FETPs, there is a paucity of methods and tools to support such evaluations. The Field Epidemiology in Action (FEiA) team, in collaboration with the Impact Institute, have developed an impact evaluation framework for FETPs. The impact evaluation framework has provided the basis of developing impact evaluation implementation plans for the FETP programs in the Pacific. 

WORKSHOP FORMAT 

This interactive learning session will examine the practical aspects of implementing an impact evaluation. We will discuss the process of developing the FEiA Impact Evaluation Framework and collectively assess its usefulness, utility and generalisability to FETPs globally. The framework covers the type of data that can be collected in order to assess the impact of FETPs.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to: 

1. Define impact evaluation and its relevance for FETPs 

2. Describe the process of developing an impact evaluation framework 

3. Review and critique a proposed FETP Impact Evaluation framework 

4. Understand the key methods and tools can be used to measure impact

FACILITATORS:

1. James Flint, Field Epidemiology in Action (FEiA) at the University of Newcastle. James Flint has worked in the international public health field for two decades; he has led and supported public health training programs in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific. James is currently undertaking a PhD focused on impact evaluation of FETPs.

2. Dr Tambri Housen, Field Epidemiology in Action (FEiA) at the University of Newcastle. Tambri Housen is a mixed-methods researcher with many years’ experience conducting and supervising field research; she has extensive experience as a FET program advisor, trainer and mentor and has led numerous emergency response activities around the world.

3. Rachel Mather, Field Epidemiology in Action (FEiA) at the University of Newcastle.Rachel Mather is an epidemiologist and monitoring and evaluation specialist with experienced working for governmental and non-governmental organizations around the world; she has led several Theory of Change workshops, including for the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands FETPs.

4. Dr Reina Turcios-Ruiz, Evaluation, Policy, Innovation and Communications (EPIC) Team Lead Medical Epidemiologist, Workforce and Institute Development Branch, Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reina is a medical epidemiologist, graduate of the U.S.’ field epidemiology training program (EIS), former resident advisor of a multi-tier, multi-country FETP, and director of the CDC Central America Region office. She now leads the Evaluation, Policy, Innovations and Communications team that supports evaluation of CDC-supported programs around the world.

PARTICIPANTS:

FETP directors, FETP faculty, and anyone else involved or interested in FETP impact evaluation

Maximum number: 20