Importance of Setting Project Evaluation Criteria
It is essential to outline the evaluation methods and metrics at the initial phase of the project, as this allows researchers to understand the problem in greater detail and avoid potential risks in the project design. In other words, it adds more transparency to the experiment and provides all stakeholders with a clear overview of the plan. Moreover, a thorough approach to evaluation makes the research more reliable and trustworthy, which is particularly significant for explaining the study objectives to vital stakeholders.
Measurable Outcomes for the DNP Project
The proposed DNP project focuses on the study of the diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) framework and its impact on the quality of life of individuals with diabetes. This model generally implies the need for additional education for patients; hence, the proposed evaluation measures and metrics should concern the level of awareness about the disease and how this knowledge impacts the severity of the disease (CDCP, 2021; Powers et al., 2020).
Concerning the former, the outcome is increased awareness among patients of diabetes risks and their effects on quality of life. The process measure includes lectures and community sessions that explain the nature of diabetes and its effects on daily life. The second health outcome is improved fasting blood glucose levels, which are directly related to disease severity (Alsayed et al., 2020). The process measure for this outcome is the DSMES model, which encourages patients to maintain healthy habits.
Evaluation of the Outcome and Process Measures
Lastly, the evaluation of the first outcome measure—increased awareness—is conducted through self-reports and interviews with the patients. To assess the quality of the first process measure, competent professionals will be present during the lectures on diabetes to ensure the credibility of the provided information. The evaluation of the second outcome measure (improved fasting blood glucose) is performed via a standard blood test, which is an effective instrument to estimate the blood sugar levels accurately (Alsayed et al., 2020). The assessment of the second process measure involves providing continual support to patients and encouraging them to submit weekly self-reports to evaluate adherence to the DSMES model.
References
Alsayed Hassan, D., Curtis, A., Kerver, J., & Vangsnes, E. (2020). Diabetes self-management education and support: referral and attendance at a patient-centered medical home. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 11.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, December 21). Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) toolkit: Background.
Powers, M. A., Bardsley, J. K., Cypress, M., Funnell, M. M., Harms, D., Hess-Fischl, A.,… & Uelmen, S. (2020). Diabetes self-management education and support in adults with type 2 diabetes: A consensus report of the American Diabetes Association, the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of PAs, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the American Pharmacists Association. Diabetes Care, 43(7), 1636-1649.