A process evaluation of the Rural Chronic Disease Initiative Pilot Project : perceptions of key leaders in rural Queensland communities

A pilot project for the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing’s Rural Chronic Disease Initiative (RCDI) involved the collaboration of representatives from four small rural Central Queensland communities and various organisations for the provision of health promotion activities to address hearing loss and cardiovascular disease in the communities. Activities provided to the communities included screenings and health education. This paper presents the results of a phenomenological study which assessed the processes used to deliver such services. The RE-AIM framework was used to investigate the issues of reach, efficacy, implementation, adoption and maintenance of the project. Several data collection methods were used. One method was personal in-depth interviews of key community leaders, volunteers and consultants. Written documents relating to the RCDI project were reviewed and analysed to support the interview data. Field observations were recorded using note taking. The use of these data collection methods enabled triangulation of data as a means of reducing the potential for bias. Preliminary results suggested that local knowledge, expertise and multi-sectoral collaboration were well used to maximise all aspects involved in the provision of the RCDI health promotion activities.