Evaluating the Association of Public Health (APHL)/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Emerging Infectious Disease (EID) Laboratory Training Fellowship Program Public
Vaughan, K. Leigh Inge (2016)
Published
Abstract
Introduction: CDC believes laboratory training fellowship programs support the public health laboratory (PHL) workforce. The APHL/CDC EID Laboratory Training Fellowship Program began in 1995 to train and prepare scientists for PHL careers and support infectious disease initiatives. Program evaluation, which helps determine whether or not a program has achieved its intended effects, has never been conducted on this program. This thesis project’s purpose is to: conduct a utilization-focused evaluation research study of this program, and provide recommendations for future evaluations of this and other programs.
Methods: Data were obtained from program archives, published program descriptions, and from a sample of 70 “final reports” submitted by 202 participating fellows between 2004 and 2014, which included fellows’ fellowship experiences, program objectives, lab/research training, participation in: publications; outbreak investigations; conferences; short-term international assignments. Fellows’ activity data were quantitatively tabulated. Narrative data were qualitatively analyzed by using applied thematic analysis, with the final reports iteratively read, memoed, and coded.
Results: 1. EID program’s intended effects defined. Fellows: gained knowledge of the PHL system by participating in activities. increased and/or initially acquired PHL or related skills. had their training and research objectives met. 2. Enumeration of fellows’ activity participation; 69/70 participated in at least one activity. 3. Themes, sub-themes and codes. Four major themes were identified: Professional Capability: professional laboratory or related products (e.g. publication) benchmarks of experience (e.g. lab skills). Understanding Public Health: the “big picture” of public health and laboratories’ role. Career Assistance: informing career plans; networking. Fellowship Experience: positive/negative influences. 4. The program met or exceeded the objectives of most (58/70) fellows. 5. An unintended program effect: the program’s impact on fellows was frequently more pronounced in relation to the “Understanding public health” than “Professional capability” theme. The gist of the intended effects relates directly to laboratory experiences- the “Understanding public health” does not. 6. A retroactive logic model.
Conclusions: Recommendations for improving program accountability and evaluation: Develop: tools for program success indicators, utilizing resources. metrics for benchmarks. an updated logic model, to aid gap identification. • continuous quality improvement components. preparations for staff turnover to allow seamless transitions.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................1
Introduction ...............................................................................................................1
Objective and Purpose Statement .................................................................................1
Research Questions .....................................................................................................2
CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE .................................................................3
Introduction to Chapter II ...........................................................................................3
Public Health Laboratories ..........................................................................................3
Evaluation .................................................................................................................3
Emerging Infections Disease (EID) APHL/CDC Laboratory Fellowship Training Program........4
Summary of Chapter II ................................................................................................6
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY ...................................................................................7
Introduction to Chapter III ..........................................................................................7
Description of the Data and Program Participants .........................................................7
Population & Sample Selection ...................................................................................8
Developing the Research Questions .............................................................................9
Data Analysis: Final Reports .......................................................................................9
Limitations of the Data .............................................................................................10
Program Logic Model ................................................................................................11
Summary of Chapter III .............................................................................................11
CHAPTER IV: RESULTS .............................................................................................12
Introduction to Chapter IV ........................................................................................12
Results Part 1: Definition of intended effects ..............................................................12
Results part 2: Activity participation responses ...........................................................13
Results part 3: Themes, sub-themes, and codes ...........................................................14
Results Part 4: Fellows' objectives ...............................................................................20
Results part 5: unintended effect of the program ..........................................................21
Results Part 6: Logic Model of EID Program .................................................................22
Summary of Chapter IV ..............................................................................................23
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................24
Introduction to Chapter V ..........................................................................................24
What was seen in the program data? ...........................................................................24
So, what new understanding of the program now exists? ..............................................25
Now, what available actions are recommended? ...........................................................26
Summary of Chapter 5 ...............................................................................................29
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................30
APPENDIX A: CODEBOOK .........................................................................................32
SUMMARY OF MAJOR THEMES AND SUB-THEMES .....................................................32
EXPANDED DEFINITIONS OF SUB-THEMES AND CODES ............................................33
APPENDIX B: LOGIC MODEL GRAPHIC OF EID FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM .....................36
APPENDIX C: FREQUENCY TABLES ............................................................................37
APPENDIX D: TOOL FOR COMPETENCY COMPONENT OF FUTURE LABORATORY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM EVALUATIONS (Table 11, expanded definitions) ................................................................................................38
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