Worksite Wellness

Step 9: Evaluate Outcomes

Steps to getting started

Evaluations determine the outcome of a program. They help you figure out if your objectives were met. It is a good idea to add an evaluation component to your health promotion program.

Evaluations may conclude that some interventions didn’t work well. You may find that a popular program costs too much and didn’t really affect employees’ health. While these may not be the outcomes you hoped for, without this information you might continue ineffective interventions. Having this information will help you develop better solutions. When your results are good, it’s magnificent! You can spread the word to employees and management that your program is achieving its goals.

Three major areas of an evaluation

  • Program structure — The basic framework of the program
  • Program process — How well the program is run
  • Program outcomes — Whether the program met the set objectives

Common questions used to evaluate a health promotion program

Structure Questions

  • What is included in the program? What is the intervention?
  • Where does the program take place?
  • How is the program delivered? What content is included?
  • Who manages the program?

Process Questions

  • How many people participate?
  • Do participants complete the program?
  • Are participants satisfied?
  • Which aspects of the program are best attended?

Outcome Questions

  • Does the program improve knowledge about health issues?
  • Does the program change behavior?
  • Does the program save the company money?
  • What is the return on investment (ROI)?

Sample program evaluation