Development of a planning and evaluation methodology for assessing the contribution of theory to a diabetes prevention lifestyle intervention.
The benefits of utilizing and measuring application of theory for behavior change programs are numerous, including the emergence of new theories and theoretically bound strategies. Despite recent attempts to make theory use more salient, there remains a dearth of practical frameworks for the development and evaluation of theory-based programs. Without literature documenting how theories have been specifically applied to interventions and their evaluation, health educators may not be well prepared to utilize theory for the design, implementation, or as a focus of the evaluation. Using a case study example of a diabetes prevention program, this article describes how theory was used for the program design and the evaluation and provides a framework for using theory in other programs. Issues discussed include: the challenges in successfully utilizing theory for intervention development and the processes of developing theoretically based instruments.
Helitzer
Deborah
D
Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
Peterson
Arlana Bobo
AB
Thompson
Janice
J
Fluder
Shannon
S
D001521:Behavior Therapy; D018672:Community Health Planning; D003479:Curriculum; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D015206:Southwestern United States; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult