Cultivating participatory approaches in health promotion planning, delivery, and evaluation: A case study of an academic-health service partnership in rural Victoria

Abstract: Issue Addressed: Community participation in planning, delivery, and evaluation of health promotion (HP) programs is a poorly explored topic. However, this approach has the potential to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequities, particularly for residents of rural and remote areas. Methods: This case study describes the outputs of an academic-health service partnership in rural Victoria. The collaboration has led to the implementation and ongoing evaluation of a microgrant program for HP which integrates community participation principles in the foundations of the program and its evaluation. Results: To date, 10 funded projects have been brought to completion, with COVID-19 having disturbed both grant distribution and funded activity implementation. Semi-structured interviews with health service officers served to clarify conceptualisation and operationalization of HP principles. Focus groups with health service management and officers contributed to building an overarching evaluation framework for the HP team's activities. Finally, the specific methodological evaluation framework for the microgrant program was developed through a collaborative workshop with the HP team and grantees. Conclusions: Fostering community participation in HP planning, delivery, and evaluation, especially in rural areas, is feasible as evidenced by the experience described in this case study. The forthcoming evaluation results will help clarify the impact of community participation on health-related outcomes. So What?: Documentation and dissemination of processes used to increase community participation in HP programs is essential to grow the knowledge base around what works and what doesn't, and for whom.