Annual Report to Stakeholders 2011-2012 - Siteman Cancer Center ...

Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities (PECaD)
related organizations. This is a logical observation, but perhaps points to a need to
continue looking for ways to involve non-health organizations in our efforts.
Evaluation of Program Reach and Implementation
In this second round of NCI funding for PECaD, we have developed a framework for
evaluation within and across our Community Outreach and Education, Research and
Training Programs. We are using a computer database system to evaluate and track
our reach and implementation over the course of the funding to adjust our short- and
long-term goals toward reducing health disparities in the region. All activities and
events related to PECaD are reported along with information about the target
audience, number of people reached, linkage to PECaD and more. The database is
maintained by program staff and measures are in place to ensure quality and
consistency of the data.
Commitment to Community Engagement Principles
In early 2011, mid-way into our first year of the second round of funding, PECaD's
internal leadership conducted a survey to evaluate its adherence to and
implementation of community-based participatory approaches and community
engagement principles. The online survey was sent to people who have worked or are
currently working with PECaD in a collaborative and significant way to achieve
program objectives, including cancer survivors, volunteers, researchers at academic
institutions, and employees from local advocacy and health care organizations. Thirty
percent of respondents classified themselves as an employee or volunteer at a
community-based organization, 26% as a healthcare professional, 34% as an
academic researcher, and 10% as a cancer survivor or caregiver.
In the survey, we asked how satisfied respondents were with their influence in
PECaD. Seventy percent reported they are satisfied or very satisfied with their level of
influence. This held true for all respondent classifications. Overall, 79% of
respondents rated the program as highly effective in upholding elements essential to
community engagement and community-based participatory approaches. These
results also held true in general for all respondent classifications. Length of
involvement in the program was steady; some respondents were new to PECaD and
others have been involved since the very beginning of the program in 2003. The
survey also revealed some areas for improvement. Because of the program’s fast
growth, respondents feel that can be difficult to keep track of everything going on.
Respondents also want PECaD to share invitations to attend various
academic/clinical presentations on campus. PECaD is working to implement these
insightful suggestions.
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