Program Planning

Question 1

What is program planning?

Answer 1

A collaborative, authentic engagement.

A systematic process that parallels/compliments the nursing process.

Question 2

What are the four basic steps/phases of program planning?

Answer 2

Comprised of four basic steps:

• assessment - identify issues/concern/problem
• planning/development
• implementation
• monitoring and evaluation

Question 3

What is the focus of program planning?

Answer 3

Focuses on a population or aggregate versus individuals.

Focuses on a health issue or health determinant.

Question 4

What is program planning based on?

Answer 4

Must be based on a community assessment.

Question 5

What things are important to consider when program planning?

Answer 5

Vital to consider the social determinants of health when addressing the gap/issue - practice social justice
Evidence and theory inform the program plan

Question 6

What is the goal of program planning?

Answer 6

Goal is health equity

Question 7

What are some of the things that program planning does? (Methods, strategies, outcomes)

Answer 7

Usually follows community health assessment.
Identifies community strengths.
Informs decision-making.
Increases efficiency.

Question 8

Where did program planning originate?

Answer 8

History in public health nursing - began with need for mass immunizations.

Question 9

What constitutes a program?

Answer 9

A systematically designed set of activities that are performed to bring about a certain outcome.

Question 10

What are the purposes of models and frameworks for program planning?

Answer 10

Provide a guide and framework to organize data and provide a coherent plan.
Various factors affect the model selected.
Some agencies use a particular model. E.g. Fraser Health uses the Logic Model.

Question 11

What are some examples of models and frameworks for program planning?

Answer 11

Most common:

• Precede-Proceed Model
• Program Logic Model

Other:
- Health Belief Model

Question 12

What is the Logic Model of program planning?

Answer 12

“Illustrates a logical sequence of events to occur through a program …to bring about change in response to a specific situation” (Goldman & Schmalz, 2006)

“…help expose gaps.,..unique for its simplicity in demonstrating program interrelationship and linkages” (Stamler & Yiu, 2012).

Question 13

What is the assessment phase of program planning?

Answer 13

A systematic process for finding out what is needed/desired & what resources/assets are available.

Question 14

What is done during the assessment phase of program planning? (4)

Answer 14

Defines who has the need. Why does it exist?
Determines the depth and scope of the need.
Involves judgement about the relative importance of the need (prioritization).
Provides direction for possible solutions to meeting the need (planning phase).

Question 15

What are the data sources and methods used in the assessment phase? (2)

Answer 15

Primary

Secondary

Question 16

What occurs during the planning phase of program planning? (after the assessment phase)

Answer 16

Goals and objectives are defined.
Content and strategies are selected.
Resources are dedicated.
Evaluation processes are determined and tools are developed.
The program is implemented as planned.

Question 17

What are goals? (as compared to objectives)

Answer 17

Goals are broad long range statements about the desired outcome or purpose of the program.

Question 18

What are objectives? (as compared to goals)

Answer 18

Objectives are specific, measurable, achievable/attainable, realistic & time oriented (SMART)

Question 19

What are things to consider when prioritizing objectives? (4)

Answer 19

The magnitude of the issue.
Existing resources.
Potential for success.
Need for specialized training.

Question 20

What are the guiding principles of prioritizing objectives? (3)

Answer 20

Buy-in
Transparency
Communication

Question 21

What are some important considerations regarding content when program planning?

Answer 21

Relevant, evidence-informed, culturally/age/gender appropriate.

Question 22

What are some considerations regarding strategies for program planning?

Answer 22

Cost, benefit, and acceptability
review literature for what has worked.
Be practical, realistic. Most likely to succeed.

Question 23

What are some considerations regarding resources for program planning?

Answer 23

Work with what you have. A common pitfall is being overly ambitious.

Question 24

What are five important components of implementation of a program?

Answer 24

Public Health Ethical principles.
Monitor tasks, timelines and resources.
Encourage partnership and participation.
Fine tune strategies.
Keep records.

Question 25

What is program accountability (part of the evaluation phase)?

Answer 25

Assess the performance of program. Were the goal and objectives met?

Question 26

What are the dimensions of evaluation?

Answer 26

Responsiveness
Effectiveness
Efficiency
Equity

Question 27

What are primary data sources and methods?

Answer 27

Data you collected yourself. Eg. Interviews, surveys, etc. that you have done yourself.

Question 28

What are secondary data sources and methods?

Answer 28

Data that has already been collected by somebody else.

Question 29

What are two types of evaluation?

Answer 29

1. Formative

2. Summative

Question 30

What are the components of summative evaluation?

Answer 30

Output, outcome and impact
Process
Structure

Question 31

What are some sources of data for program evaluation?

Answer 31

Program records, clients, community health index

Question 32

What are some challenges to program planning related to the current health care context?

Answer 32

No time/finances for in-depth assessment.
Top-down approach.
Disjunction between political agenda and the preferred approach among health planners.

Question 33

What are some challenges to program planning related to societal trends?

Answer 33

Increasing global interconnection.
Shifting demographics.
Increasing technology.