A Protocol for a Comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation Framework With a Compendium of Tools to Assess Quality of Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) Implementation Using Mixed Methods, Developmental Evaluation Design

Authors

Smita Ghosh, Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States; School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, United States
Brenna M. Roth, Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
Irene Massawe, Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
Emmanuel Mtete, Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Jacob Lusekelo, Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children, Dodoma, Tanzania
Eve Pinsker, School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, United States
Steven Seweryn, School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, United States
Patrick K. Moonan, Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
Bruce B. Struminger, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-21-2021

Abstract

Introduction: The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), supports a third of all people receiving HIV care globally. CDC works with local partners to improve methods to find, treat, and prevent HIV and tuberculosis. However, a shortage of trained medical professionals has impeded efforts to control the HIV epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO^TM) model expands capacity to manage complex diseases, share knowledge, disseminate best practices, and build communities of practice. This manuscript describes a practical protocol for an evaluation framework and toolkit to assess ECHO implementation.Methods and Analysis: This mixed methods, developmental evaluation design uses an appreciative inquiry approach, and includes a survey, focus group discussion, semi-structured key informant interviews, and readiness assessments. In addition, ECHO session content will be objectively reviewed for accuracy, content validity, delivery, appropriateness, and consistency with current guidelines. Finally, we offer a mechanism to triangulate data sources to assess acceptability and feasibility of the evaluation framework and compendium of monitoring and evaluation tools.Expected impact of the study on public health: This protocol offers a unique approach to engage diverse group of stakeholders using an appreciative inquiry process to co-create a comprehensive evaluation framework and a compendium of assessment tools. This evaluation framework utilizes mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative data collection tools), was pilot tested in Tanzania, and has the potential for contextualized use in other countries who plan to evaluate their Project ECHO implementation.

Recommended Citation

Ghosh S, Roth BM, Massawe I, Mtete E, Lusekelo J, Pinsker E, Seweryn S, Moonan PK and Struminger BB (2021) A Protocol for a Comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation Framework With a Compendium of Tools to Assess Quality of Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) Implementation Using Mixed Methods, Developmental Evaluation Design. Front. Public Health 9:714081. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.714081