Monitoring and Evaluation Unit
Vision: We envision that the importance and contents of quality evaluation are universally understood, and that the tools needed to provide quality evaluation and monitoring are accessible. We further envision that project evaluation and monitoring is understood as a way to improve specific projects, to better ensure sustainability, and to provide generalizable knowledge.
Mission: To work in collaboration with funders to provide knowledge on the utility, quality, and resources needed for different types and levels of evaluation and monitoring. Drawing on our own expertise in conducting monitoring and evaluation (M&E), we will serve local and international foundations, funders, and non-governmental organizations in the following ways:
1) Provide training on: the qualities of good M&E projects; the staffing and monetary resources needed for high-quality M&E; the writing of requests for M&E proposals; and the assessment of M&E proposals received;
2) Provide consultation to funders on wording of specific M&E requests for proposals, on reviewing submitted proposals, and on assessing whether funded monitoring and evaluation activities are proceeding as planned. Consultation will include training customized to specific projects and organizational needs, and will draw from a broad collection of M&E resources that will be readily accessible and shared;
3) Provide consultation to funders on assessing the extent to which their portfolio of grants effectively targets the areas that the funder wishes to impact, and on assessing whether it would be beneficial for a funder to have common M&E measures across funded projects;
4) Provide consultation to evaluators on proposals they are developing, including training customized to the evaluator using M&E resources that will be made readily accessible and shared; and
5) For a select number of projects, work with other evaluators to conduct evaluation, with the goals of: developing new evaluation strategies; increasing capacity of other evaluators; and increasing evaluation resources through cost-sharing with funding agencies with limited resources.
Examples of current work in this area being done include:
From Intervention Development to Services in Russia (funded by NIH/USA):
This pilot study is designed to examine the feasibility of an integrative treatment model for mentally ill, pregnant women who are HIV-positive or at risk for HIV in St. Petersburg, Russia. PI: Kathryn Whetten, Center for Health Policy
Targeted capacity Expansion Program for Substance Abuse Treatment and HIV/AIDS Services (funded by SAMSA):
The expansion grant’s purpose is to ensure that HIV-positive people living in the Raleigh-Durham MSA have increased access to culturally sensitive substance abuse and HIV prevention and treatment services. PI: Kathryn Whetten, Center for Health Policy
Secondary Analysis of Existing Alcohol and HIV/AIDS Data (funded by NIAAA):
Examining the effects of alcohol consumption on (1) individuals’ preventive and risk behaviors associated with contracting HIV, (2) the probability of HIV positive individuals being prescribed HIV medications and adherence to such medication, (3) health status, and (4) health care utilization and costs. PI: Kathryn Whetten, Center for Health Policy
NC HIV Training and Information Center (funded by HRSA, Emory University):
The North Carolina local performance site for the HRSA Ryan White CARE Act-funded AIDS Education and Training Center at Emory University. PI: Kathryn Whetten, Center for Health Policy
Global Health Research Training in East Africa and North Carolina (funded by GlaxoSmithKline North Carolina Foundation):
Enhancing research methods skills and capacity in international partner agencies working with Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill on health research studies. Specific partner agencies include the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre and KIWAKKUKI in Moshi, Tanzania. PI: Kathryn Whetten, Center for Health Policy
Positive Outcomes for Orphans (funded by NICHD):
The objective of this four country longitudinal study of orphaned children is to examine the influence of orphan placement characteristics, caregiver characteristics, and culture, on 1)orphan behavior and emotional adjustment; 2)learning and achievement; 3)posttraumatic stress disorder and depression; and 4)health status including health related quality of life. 2,800 children and their caregivers are being followed over 4 years with contextual analyses performed. PI: Kathryn Whetten, Center for Health Policy
Structural Interventions for HIV Prevention Among High-Risk Groups in India (funded by the Gates Foundation):
The purpose of this 3-year research study is to support CARE India and other Avahan partners who are funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) in India in documenting and evaluating the implementation of structural interventions for sex workers and their clients, and conducting situational analyses for the purposes of defining additional structural interventions for populations at high risk for HIV. PI: Michael Merson, Duke Global Health Institute.
Monitoring and Evaluation of an ARV pilot program in Tamil Nadu, India (CIFF):
The Tamil Nadu Family Care Continuum Programme (TNFCC), initiated by Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society, provides treatment, including antiretroviral therapy, nutritional services and community-based support to adults and children infected by HIV/AIDS and their families in urban and rural areas of the program sites. The Duke M&E unit examines the impact of the program on the (1) physical health and nutrition outcomes of HIV-infected parents and children (2) psychosocial outcomes of HIV-infected parents and of HIV-infected and affected children, (3) education outcomes of HIV-infected and affected children and (4) socioeconomic outcomes of HIV-infected parents. PI: ????
Carolina Alcohol and Drug Expansion team for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (funded by SAMHSA):
Project to integrate a comprehensive continuum of addiction services into the delivery of HIV-primary care of minority populations living with HIV-infection in a sourthern and primarily rural area so as to address the negative impacts of substance use on health outcomes, treatment adherence, service access and service utilization. PI: Frank Lombard, Center for Health Policy
Regional Health Information integration Project (funded by HRSA):
Project to work intensively with an existent regional network of HIV care providers and develop a regional health information consortium to support administrative and clinical functioning through the sharing of electronic health information among partner agencies with the ultimate goal of improving patient service use and health outcomes. PI: Frank Lombard, Center for Health Policy
Jim Bernstein Scholars Program (BCBSNC Health Policy Fellows) (funded by BCBS of North Carolina):
Secures two top-tier duke undergraduates to carry on the critical work of ensuring that every North Carolinian has access to adequate health care. PI: Christopher Conover, Center for Health Policy
Assessing the Impact of Medical Technology on Selected Diseases (funded by NIH):
The study investigates the impact of medical devices on health and functional status of elderly persons. Devices being evaluated include knee and hip replacements, glaucoma drainage devices, and medical imaging. PI: Frank Sloan, Center for Health Policy
Determinants and Consequences of Alcohol Consumption (funded by NIH):
This study analyzes patterns of alcohol consumption over the life course, using six waves of longitudinal data from HRS. It will also assess effects on occupational attainment and on labor market outcomes, how market size and regulation affect spatial distribution of alcohol sellers, and the effect of availability of alcohol sellers on alcohol consumption of respondents to CARDIA and HRS: PI: Frank Sloan, Center for Health Policy
