Application of McDonnell’s Model to Evaluate Effectiveness of Oral Health Promotion Program among School Teachers of Goa, India: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Aim: To retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of an oral health promotion–teachers training program (training the trainers) conducted among government primary school teachers in the state of Goa, India, by employing the McDonnell four-factor approach. Materials and methods: The present exploratory study used the framework proposed by McDonnell, which consisted of four broad factors, namely efficacy, human resources, infrastructure, and community support. These were further divided into 13 variables. The fulfillment of these criteria was assessed by an investigator who was not a part of any stage of the planning or implementation of the program. Results: Schools from all 12 talukas of Goa state, comprising 845 school teachers, were included in the analysis. Efficacy was assessed by the improvement in knowledge score, which was 73%, while the effectiveness based on the present McDonnell criteria was 61.32%. The barriers identified were the lack of opportunity for teachers to practice skills learned in realistic sessions and the need for continued education. Conclusion: Oral health is poorly prioritized in developing countries like India; hence, there is a need for optimal utilization of the limited funds it receives. Evaluation of the effectiveness of a program, considering all contextual factors, enables better outcomes. Clinical significance: There is a tremendous rise in concurrence among the scientific community regarding the importance of comprehensive evaluation of programs. Having a suitable model for evaluation during the course of the program can help direct the right resources to the right components of the program, which, in turn, forms the basis for sustainable, long-term positive outcomes. The present study highly recommends the application of McDonnell’s framework for both internal and external evaluation of a program.