ABSTRACT
A program is an organized response to undesirable health and disease conditions and situations. It is composed of three processes: planning, implementing, and evaluating. Program planning involves assessing the needs of a target group, persons to whom the program is directed. With needs identified, the program should be composed of goals and objectives, statements of the desired state of the target group, and steps toward that state. Thereafter, the intervention would be designed, which incorporates theory, activity, and necessary resources. Program implementation involves initiating and maintaining the intervention activity. This usually requires controlling the amount of activity and degree of participation until safe, efficient, and effective service delivery can be assured. During implementation, staff input is invited and participant feedback is encouraged regarding the quality of service delivery. This information can also be used as part of program evaluation. Program evaluation involves efforts at improving as well as proving the efficacy of the program. Evaluative efforts take place before, during, and after implementation. Through evaluation questions are being answered, such as how well the program was implemented, and whether the program achieved short-term and long-term success. To answer these questions, data are collected, analyzed, and reported.
