Assignment 1: Initial Analysis for Program Planning
Needs Assessment
“As a concept, need is not only difficult to define but, once defined, difficult to measure” (Kettner, Moroney, & Martin, 2017, p. 63). Likewise, it can be challenging to define and measure assets—yet it is equally important to do so during this phase of program planning. This week’s Learning Resources provide foundational information and guidance for conducting needs assessments, which entails discerning needs that must be addressed in light of the assets that are present.
As you return to Assignment 1, the attention turns to conducting a needs assessment for the problem you have identified. What data collection strategies could be most useful? What issues would likely be encountered? How would you address them?
To prepare for this week’s section of Assignment 1:
- Continue (from the Discussion) to:
- Identify a viable approach for conducting a needs assessment for your problem.
- Identify method(s) of data collection.
- Assess potential challenges and propose alternatives/solutions.
The full Assignment 1 is due by day 4 (Thursday 12/20/18) of this week. Instructions have been provided in previous weeks to help you prepare.
By Day 4
To complete:
Write a 3- to 5-page paper, in APA format with at least 7 scholarly references in which you address the following level 1 and 2 header:
Also include an introduction and a conclusion as per APA guidelines.
1) Identification of a Problem and a Population
- Identify a problem and a target population.
(Note: Your problem should be clearly developed and related to a health-promotion and disease-prevention issue of national significance. You should select a target population so that your program can be designed to create maximum yet realistic impact at the aggregate level.)
2) Using a Theory or Model
- Analyze a theory or model that is relevant to your selected problem. Explain why this is the most appropriate model for you to use with this problem.
3) Literature Review (provide at least 4 scholarly articles less than 5 years old) )
- Assess the literature as it relates to your problem. Use evidence from the literature to support your response to the following question: Why is it important to assist this population to resolve the selected problem?
4) Needs Assessment
- Describe an appropriate approach to conducting a needs assessment for your problem.
- Identify method(s) of data collection.
- Assess potential challenges and propose alternatives/solutions.
Required Readings
Hodges, B. C., & Videto, D. M. (2011). Assessment and planning in health programs (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Chapter 1, “Assessment for Developing Programs and Interventions: The Big Picture”
Chapter 1 notes the importance of looking not just at needs but also the assets associated with the target population and environment; that is, assessing what needs to be addressed given the assets that are present.
This report offers a guide for the use of the logic model in program planning and outcome-oriented evaluation for nonprofit projects.
Chapter 3, “Data Collection Strategies for Needs Assessments and Evaluations”
In Chapter 3, the authors examine data collection, a key element of needs assessments. They also indicate that it is wise to plan ahead and consider data collection strategies for evaluation at the same time.
- Chapter 2, “Paint a Picture of Your Target Population: Assessing Assets and Problems”
This chapter presents valuable information for identifying your target population during program planning. Note: Some of the information in this chapter extends into needs assessment, which will be addressed in Week 4.
Chapter 6, “The Importance and Use of Theories in Health Education and Health Promotion”
The authors describe various theories, noting that theories are not universally applicable to every program.
Kettner, P. M., Moroney, R. M., & Martin, L. L. (2017). Designing and managing programs: An effectiveness-based approach (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
- Review Chapter 1, “Contemporary Issues in Social Services Program Planning and Administration” (See attached file).
- Review Chapter 3, “Understanding Social Problems” (See attached file).
Review these chapters as needed to help you identify a health care-related problem for program planning and evaluation. For instance, you may find the problem analysis information on page 13 and pages 38–39 beneficial.
Chapter 2, “The Contribution of Theory to Program Planning”
This chapter examines the application of theory in program planning.
Chapter 4, “Needs Assessment: Theoretical Considerations”
Chapter 5, “Needs Assessment: Approaches to Measurement”
These two chapters provide foundational information as well as guidance for conducting a needs assessment as part of program planning.
Adams, J. & Kaplow, R. (2013). A sitter reduction program in an acute health care system. Nursing Economics$, 31(2), 83–89.
Pinto, B.M., Waldemore, M., & Rosen, R. (2015). A community-based partnership to promote exercise among cancer survivors: Lessons learned. International Journal Behavioral Medicine, 22, 328–335 doi 10.1007/s12529-014-9395-5
Tompa, E., deBoer, H., Macdonald, S., Alarngir, H., Koehoorn, M., & Guzman, J. (2016). Stakeholders’ perspectives about and priorities for economic evaluation of health and safety programs in healthcare. Workplace Health and Safety, 64(4), 163–174 DOI: 10.1177/2165079915620201.
Berhane, A., Biadgilign, S., Berhane, A., & Memiah, P. (2015). Male involvement in family planning program in Northern Ethiopia: An application of the Transtheoretical model. Patient Education and Counseling 98, 469–475
Kroelinger, C.D., Rankin, K. M., Chamgers, D.A., Diez Roux, A.V., Huges, K., & Grigorescu, V. (2014). Using the principles of complex systems thinking and implementation sceice to enhance maternal and child health program planning and delivery. Maternal Child Health Journal, 18, 1560–1564. doi 10.1007/s10995-014-1586-9
Silverman, B., Champney, J., Steber, S., & Zubritsky, C. (2015). Collaborating for consensus: Considerations for convening Coalition stakeholders to promote a gender-based approach to addressing the health needs of sex workers. Evaluation and Program Planning 51,17–26 doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2014.12.002
Smith, T.L., Barlow, P.b., Peters, J.M., & Skolits, G.J. (2015). Demystifying reflective practice: Using the DATA model to enhance evaluators’ professional activities. Evaluation and Program Planning, 52, 142–147.
Burrows, T., Hutchesson, M., Chai, L,K., Rollow, M., Skinner, G., & Collins, C. (2015). Nutrition interventions for prevention and management of childhood obesity: What do parents want from an eHealth program? Nutrients, 7, 10469–10479 doi:10.3390/nu7125546
Derguy, C., Michel, G., M’Bailara, K., Roux, S., & Bouvard, M. (2015). Assessing needs in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder: A crucial preliminary step to target relevant issues for support programs. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 40(2), 156–166 doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2015.1023707
Millard, T., McDonald, K., Elliott, J., Slavin, S., Rowell, S., & Girdler, S. (2014). Informing the development of an online self-management program for men living with HIV: a needs assessment. BMC Public Health, 14, 1209 doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-1209
Springer, A. E. & Evans, A.E. (2016). Assessing environmental assets for health promotion program planning: a practical framework for health promotion practitioners. Health Promotion Perspectives, 6(3), 111–118 doi: 10.15171/hpp.2016.19
Required Media
Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Design and evaluation of programs and projects [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
“Needs Assessment” (featuring Dr. Rebecca Lee, Shiniche Thomas, and Dr. Donna Shambley-Ebron)
You may view this course video by clicking the link or on the course DVD, which contains the same content. Once you’ve opened the link, click on the appropriate media piece.
In this week’s videos, Dr. Rebecca Lee and Dr. Donna Shambley-Ebron discuss needs assessments. Then, Dr. Rebecca Lee demonstrates a windshield assessment along with Seven Hills community resident Shiniche Thomas.
Optional Resources
Algera, M., Francke, A. L., Kerkstra, A., & Van der Zee, J. (2004). Integrative literature reviews and meta-analyses: Home care needs of patients with long-term conditions: Literature review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 46(4), 417–429.
This article compares literature in the field to determine a profile for people with long-term health care conditions who utilize home care services.
Madden, S. G., Loeb, S. J., & Smith, C. A. (2008). An integrative literature review of lifestyle interventions for the prevention of type II diabetes mellitus. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17(17), 2243–2256.
This article is an example of an integrative literature review that identifies aspects of nursing programs aimed at prevention of type II diabetes, effectiveness of such programs, and compliance with lifestyle changes after such programs.
Hulton, L. J. (2007). An evaluation of a school-based teenage pregnancy prevention program using a logic model framework. Journal of School Nursing, 23(2), 104–110.
This article describes the use of the logic model to develop, implement, and evaluate a nursing intervention in a school setting.
Johnson, S. S., Driskell, M., Johnson, J. L., Prochaska, J. M., Zwick, W., & Prochaska, J. O. (2006). Efficacy of a transtheoretical model-based expert system for antihypertensive adherence. Disease Management, 9(5), 291–301.
This article introduces the use of the transtheoretical model and stages of change as applied to interventions aimed at medication adherence for patients with hypertension.
Rogers, L. Q., Shah, P., Dunnington, G., Greive, A., Shanmugham, A., Dawson, B., & Courneya, K. S. (2005). Social cognitive theory and physical activity during breast cancer treatment. Oncology Nursing Forum, 32(4), 807–815.
The social cognitive theory is utilized to examine associations with physical activity in breast cancer patients. This article posits that the social cognitive theory can be used as a mediator for intervention evaluation with this population.
W. K. Kellogg Foundation. (2004). Using logic models to bring together planning, evaluation, and action: Logic model development guide. Battle Creek, MI: W. K. Kellogg Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.wkkf.org/resource-directory/resource/2006/02/wk-kellogg-foundation-logic-model-development-guide.
