Sharing your TB Program Evaluation Findings

Overview

This tool includes information on:

• Developing a communication strategy,
• Visualizing data,
• Ensuring the use of evaluation findings, and
• Tips for using the National Tuberculosis Indicators Project (NTIP) performance reports.
  

Key terms used in this tool can be found in the glossary of the CDC Introduction to Program Evaluation for Public Health Programs: A Self-Study Guide. The implementation of the activities and strategies mentioned in this tool are dependent on the availability of program resources and funds.

Identifying Audiences

Identifying an audience is critical to effectively share and communicate evaluation findings. Consider who will be the audience receiving the information. For TB programs, these may include:

Internal audiences

Internal audiences include individuals within a team, division, or program and leadership within an agency.

Funders

Funders include organizations that fund a program's work.

People or organizations with interests in TB

There are several groups that are invested in the program or interested in the results and recommendations of the evaluation. These can include, but are not limited to:

• State and local TB programs, laboratories, and clinics
• Health care providers and hospitals
• Populations of focus for TB prevention and control
• TB Centers of Excellence (COEs)
• Congregate settings (e.g., prisons, nursing homes, and homeless shelters)
• Regional and national TB controller associations
• STD/HIV and viral hepatitis education, prevention and training centers

Sharing Evaluation Findings with Audiences

When sharing evaluation findings with an audience, it is important to address the audience's specific needs and interests. Consider the future uses of the evaluation's findings when deciding how to share findings. Consider using the following questions as a guide for identifying audience interests when sharing evaluation findings.

1. Why is this evaluation important to the audience?
2. What is critical for the audience to know, and with what level of detail?
3. What questions might the audience ask about the findings?
4. How might the audience interpret and use the evaluation findings?

Convey your evaluation findings using effective communication and dissemination strategies.

Guiding questions for identifying communication and dissemination methods

Using Data Visualization to Drive Findings

Data visualization is a powerful tool for examining and communicating evaluation data.

When sharing evaluation findings and data, the data should be clear, accessible, and interpretable for the audience.

In general, effective data visualizations:

• Tell a story about the data
• Are clear, simple, and easy to understand
• Support key messages
• Use color in a meaningful way

Considerations for developing impactful data visualizations

Visualizing Your Data Using NTIP

State and local TB programs can use NTIP, a web-based performance monitoring tool to download already prepared images of their program's performance compared to program objectives and national targets.

Promoting Use of Evaluation Findings

Evaluation findings are often used to determine the effectiveness of a program, identify areas for program improvement, and justify funding.

In order to empower others to use the evaluation's findings, programs should:

• Tailor how findings are shared,
• Incorporate data visualizations, and
• Promote the use of evaluation findings.

While you promote your findings, it is important to recognize that sharing evaluation results is just one piece of the puzzle. In addition to sharing evaluation findings, several other actions can help to promote their value and use. These include:

• Engaging and involving TB interest holders in data interpretation and remediation planning,
• Providing interim reports on findings,
• Using findings to provide specific and actionable recommendations, and
• Using findings to promote and inform program improvements, such as developing and implementing a remediation plan.

Resources