Strategies for Successful Public Health Outreach Projects

1. PANEL 3 - Identifying Outreach Objectives and Related Outcomes Public Health Outreach Forum Cathy Burroughs, NN/LM - Leader Mary Ryan, NLM - Recorder National Library of MedicineLister Hill Auditorium Bethesda, Maryland

2. 1. What outcomes characterize a successful PH outreach project? Can they be realistically measured? What baseline measures are needed? • Change in behavior - how successfully can this be measured? • Self reporting behavior change • Baseline measurement: pre and post testing • Goal oriented measures, e.g., searching MEDLINE or using Loansome Doc

3. 1. What outcomes characterize a successful PH outreach project? Can they be realistically measured? What baseline measures are needed? (cont.) • Increased communication • Sustainability of project, indicated by • Cost effectiveness • Continued funding at targeted site • Key contacts in community

4. 2. What project strategies/characteristics have major impact on outreach outcomes? What approaches work in what settings? • Achievable goals • Flexibility • Continued presence in the project; continued commitment to the project, especially on the recipient side. • Build in and utilize feedback • Different perspectives brought by multiple stakeholders

5. 2. What project strategies/characteristics have major impact on outreach outcomes? What approaches work in what settings? (cont.) • Basic equipment/technology • Importance of hands-on training • Example: Portable laptop with LAN • Smaller groups allow for customized training • Train core groups • Direct observation • Cultural sensitivity • Create opportunities for learning - the “teachable moment”

6. 3. How do outcomes & approaches determine objectives for PH outreach? Do PH workforce outreach objectives differ from those for other health professionals? • PH outreach objectives are not different from other health professions, but... • PH search strategies differ from clinical medicine searches. Learning objectives differ; different terminology. • PH professionals want/need immediate answers not literature

7. 4. How can we work with partners and target communities to develop a shared vision of outreach objectives and outcomes? • Obtain letters of support from partner agencies, work with partners in planning and implementation • Identify key players at local sites • Listen to needs and ideas of the PH professional at the local site and plan accordingly • Invite local PH partners to planning meetings and conferences

8. 4. How can we work with partners and target communities to develop a shared vision of outreach objectives and outcomes? (cont.) • Be accessible and available to project participants, ongoing commitment to provide support. • Develop communication network among the target audience

9. Other Topics • Needs Assessments often find that perception of problem may be different than actual problem. • There should be a mechanism for projects to submit project materials (survey/training/assessment) to NN/LM Web site to share • Telephone follow-up to training is an effective means of post-training follow-up.