Training and capacity building evaluation: Maximizing resources and results with Success Case Method

Eval Program Plann. 2015 Oct:52:126-32. doi: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2015.03.008. Epub 2015 Apr 21.

Abstract

This article describes the use of Success Case Method (Brinkerhoff, 2003) to evaluate health promotion and public health training programs. The goal of the Office Community Research and Engagement (OCRE) of the Puerto Rico Clinical and Translational Research Consortium (PRCTRC) is to establish a stable and sustainable translational research capacity. Early efforts toward achieving this goal included sponsoring two independent research training programs. A description of the implementation of the five step Success Case Method is presented. Results reveal that SCM would deem both trainings as highly successful, based upon the overall impact of a low number of success cases. However, a traditional summative evaluation would consider this disappointing. Strengths of SCM are discussed. It was concluded that the Success Case Method is a useful and valuable evaluative method for measuring the success of health promotion and public health training initiatives and provides sufficient information for decision-making processes.

Keywords: Capacity building evaluation; Public health training; Success Case Method; Training evaluation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Capacity Building / methods
  • Capacity Building / organization & administration*
  • Capacity Building / standards
  • Education, Public Health Professional / methods
  • Education, Public Health Professional / organization & administration*
  • Education, Public Health Professional / standards
  • Female
  • Health Promotion / methods
  • Health Promotion / organization & administration*
  • Health Promotion / standards
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Organizational
  • Organizational Case Studies / methods
  • Organizational Case Studies / standards
  • Program Evaluation / methods
  • Program Evaluation / standards
  • Puerto Rico
  • Translational Research, Biomedical / methods
  • Translational Research, Biomedical / organization & administration*
  • Translational Research, Biomedical / standards