In what circumstances might you use this cost-benefit analysis method or design in a program for chronic kidney disease? What would be the benefits and disadvantages of this approach in those circumstances?
This cost-benefit analysis method can be used in situations where resources are limited. The Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is one of the calamities listed by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). It requires response, regardless of the limited resources. It is always the hope of everyone to have a good health care. The less fortunate in societies also deserve good healthcare. Offering health services to millions of people require well laid strategies and resources. The cost-benefit analysis can offer solutions to CKD. The revenues that are raised through this program are critical for the program in terms of administrative and logistics mobilization to beneficiaries. The large portions of these revenues come from the ministries of health.
Identify the evaluation method the cost-benefit analysis, and describe a scenario in which you might use this. Explain why this would be an appropriate choice. Discuss the pros and cons of this method or design
Quantitative evaluation methods are the most suitable for Cost-benefit analysis (Garbarino, 2009). The program is designed to benefit a large number of beneficiaries. The relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of the program can be retrieved from these evaluation methods. Quantitative evaluation methods are effective in getting large scale data, as in this case. Quantitative methods that can be used may include surveys, questionnaires, and observation checklist. An example where this approach may come in handy is when the program needs to get the actual number of beneficiaries. A survey will help determine the actual number.
The numbers obtained from the survey will represent that of beneficiaries. Qualitative methods are the best, in the sense that they are easy to conduct within the shortest time possible. They are also suitable because they obtain large samples compared to qualitative methods. The pros and cons of this method are simple. It is important to choose samples correctly. The sample should be manageable and well balanced. Understanding all the risks involved before evaluation is advisable. However, it is important to note that in-depth data calculations should be avoided because the main objective is to find out the effectiveness of the program. The sample selection should not be specific but generalized.
Explain in two pages how you would evaluate your hypothetical program, addressing the following from attachment: Measurable objectives you already identified. Revise them if you can improve on them. Explain how you will measure the objectives to determine if you have reached your goals. Include a description of how you will get the data with which to evaluate your objectives
The first step in evaluating this program will be to develop relevant questions for the process. The hypothesis of this program is based on its goals and objectives. The solutions that this program seeks to offer societies include increasing the supply of kidneys for transplantation, prolonging the lives of CKD patients, reducing cost of treating ESRDs, and reducing the mortality rate of ESRD patients on dialysis.
From these four objectives, the questions that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness, relevance and efficiency of the program will be developed. The program’s objectives are realistic. To measure the objectives to see the program’s success proper resource organization will be required. The program core goal is to help in averting CKD crises. Survey evaluation method will be used to determine success of the program. To ensure accuracy of the program, it is important to work hand in hand with relevant authorities. These include the ministry of health, hospitals and clinics, and health based non-governmental organizations.
A successful survey requires accuracy of data for the analysis. The data used in survey will come primarily from beneficiaries, hospitals, ministries, and any other relevant agency that can provide important data. Clinical tests data and observational checklists from hospitals will be utilized in the whole process. The survey will obtain these data and add to the information from beneficiaries. Data from beneficiaries will be obtained through interviews and questionnaires. The information from the ministry of health will also be important in the sense that, it will provide statistics about the cases of CKD. The Ministry will also provide health records of the affected. All this information will help determine achievement of this program.
To measure the objectives, data collected will indicate whether the program has: reduced cost of treatment; increased kidney supply; prolonged lives of patient; reduced mortality rate of patients. If not, the data will help in establishing what could have gone wrong during the process. For instance, the increase in kidney supply can be obtained from hospital records and interviews with the beneficiaries. The increased number of beneficiaries would mean an increase in kidney donations. Beneficiaries can also provide information about treatment cost if they are compared with the initial rates.
Discuss some of the obstacles you can foresee in this process and how you would try to overcome them
The major obstacle will be obtaining health records from relevant agencies with respect to the health information privacy rule. To overcome this, it will be wise to follow the due process.
Indicate whether the evaluative measures are process (activities) or outcomes. Review the budget you created
This program’s evaluative measure is the outcomes, which is the increased kidney supply. They seek to measure the achievement rather than the activities. The program’s goals are not activities but outcomes of a process, aimed at averting CKD crises.
A big chunk of the budget will be to improve health services. That is improving equipment, infrastructure and most importantly, the medical supplies. By doing this, the budget will create an environment where CKD healthcare will be available to many people. The budget is well spread and will sustain the program because it caters for all essential costs.
Does your budget reflect the costs for evaluation? If so, do you think it is sufficient? If not, how would you amend to cover the costs of evaluation?
A portion of the budget allocation for administration will be used for evaluation. Seven percent ($7766.75) of the cost of administration will be dedicated to evaluation. It will be sufficient and enough to conduct the whole process. The allocation will be sufficient, owing to the fact that most data will come from other sources.