Using and Sharing Results

Sharing evaluation findings is a strategy for communicating the value of the rural health promotion or disease prevention program, marketing the program to other groups and individuals, securing more funding, and influencing policy decisions. Consider the following when developing a plan for sharing evaluation results:

• Coordinate with stakeholders: Ensure evaluation findings meet the needs of stakeholders by involving them in the review and discussion of results.
• Create a communications plan: Identify techniques for conveying results such as short videos, newsletters, audio segments, websites, or presentations to community partners or other groups.
• Consider the audience: Ensure the evaluation results are clear, concise, and appropriately formatted for different audiences.
• Describe important features of the program and evaluation: Share contextual information for the evaluation, including background and purpose, methods, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and lessons learned.
• Present meaningful information effectively: Use graphics, charts, and tables to present data. Include examples and meaningful anecdotal narratives. Avoid technical jargon and acronyms in writing.
• Be upfront about strengths and limitations: List the strengths and limitations of the evaluation. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the results and recommendations.

For more on how to share program results, see Disseminating Best Practices in the Rural Community Health Toolkit.

Resources to Learn More

Communication and Dissemination Strategies To Facilitate the Use of Health-Related Evidence
Document
Systematic review of how to promote health informed decision, effective ways of communication evidence, and different methods to target different audiences.
Organization(s): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Date: 11/2013

Ensure Use of Evaluation Findings and Share Lessons Learned
Website
Presents approaches to demonstrating program effectiveness to different stakeholders and how to demonstrate accountability and justify future funding.
Organization(s): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Media Access Guide: A Resource for Community Health Promotion
Document
Presents strategies and tools that communities can implement to develop successful relationships with the media in order to communicate health topics to broader audiences.
Organization(s): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Date: 2008

Reporting Your Evaluation Results
Document
Provides general guidelines and tips for describing evaluation results to different stakeholders.
Organization(s): Prevention Solutions@EDC
Date: 8/2015