Evaluation Questions for COPD Programs
A key component of designing an evaluation is determining what questions should be asked throughout the process. There are two types of questions to consider when evaluating quality of care: process and outcome. Process evaluation questions focus on clinical activities: whether or not the program is operating as planned and why. Outcome evaluation questions focus on the desired health result: health outcomes, hospitalization rates, behavior changes in patients, and improvement in patients' quality of life.
Examples of evaluation questions for COPD programs are provided below. For additional information about process and outcome evaluations, please see Evaluation Design in the Rural Community Health Toolkit.
Examples of Process Evaluation Questions
- Are evidence-based models being used?
- What COPD services are being delivered and to whom (smoking cessation, vaccinations, oxygen therapy)?
- What percentage of patients are receiving referrals to other services?
- What percentage of patients are being screened for ventilation failure?
- How frequently are patient action plans included in discharge instructions?
Examples of Outcome Evaluation Questions
- Has the program demonstrated improved and measurable health outcomes, such as improved pulmonary functioning?
- Did the population served experience reductions in hospital readmission rates?
- Did the population served experience a reduction in the average length of hospital stays?
- Did the population served experience reductions in emergency department visits?
- Did the population served experience a reduction in influenza infection rates?
Resources to Learn More
Research and Evaluation Tools
Website
Provides a variety of helpful tools and resources to use when developing an evaluation plan for chronic disease
self-management programs.
Organization(s): Self-Management Resource Center