Program Evaluation in Clinical and Public Health Settings

Winter 2024 (2 units)

This course will familiarize students with approaches to evaluating an evidence-informed health program or intervention implemented in a clinical or public health setting. Scholars will develop an evaluation plan that uses logic models and evaluation frameworks (e.g., RE-AIM) to guide the systematic collection of information to: 1) understand if and how a program/implementation strategy is meeting its stated goals and objectives; 2) improve program/implementation strategy effectiveness; and/or 3) make decisions about future programming.

Objectives

The objectives for this course are for participants to:

  • Explain the main concepts/terms and key elements used in program evaluation;
  • Apply logic models and evaluation frameworks to guide evaluation of their chosen program/implementation strategy;
  • Select appropriate process and outcome metrics for evaluating their chosen program/implementation strategy;
  • Describe qualitative and quantitative approaches to collecting data on process and outcome metrics; and
  • Develop effective dissemination strategies for the results of program evaluation.

Prerequisites

None

Faculty

Course Director:

Janet Myers, PhD, MPH

Professor, Medicine
Email: [email protected]

Format

Weekly course content will be delivered via video lectures, case studies, and readings. Students will post weekly assignments in online discussion forums, and provide/receive feedback through the online discussion forums and virtual synchronous small group sessions.  

Every student will prepare components of an evaluation plan, due at Modules 3, 8 and 10.

Materials

Required readings will be posted on the course website.

For those without any training in research methods, suggested textbook:

Evaluation Fundamentals: Insights into Program Effectiveness, Quality and Value. by Fink A. SAGE Publications, Inc. 3rd edition. 2015.

The book may be purchased either through the publisher or a variety of commercial venues (e.g., Amazon.com).

Grading

Evaluation of student performance will be based on successful completion of assignments and participation in small group activities. To pass the course, learners must:

  • Attend and participate in 8 of 10 weekly small group discussion sessions;
  • Complete and post weekly homework assignments to the online forums by the designated due date and time (2 exceptions will be allowed); and
  • Complete and post three cumulative evaluation plan drafts (spaced out over the course of the quarter) to the online forums by the designated due dates and times.

Only UCSF students (defined as individuals enrolled in UCSF degree or certificate programs) will receive academic credit for courses. Official transcripts are available to UCSF students only. A Certificate of Course Completion will be available upon request to individuals who are not UCSF students and satisfactorily pass all course requirements.

UCSF Graduate Division Policy on Disabilities

To Enroll

ATCR and MAS students use the Student Portal

All other students can find registration information on the Implementation Science website,