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Cost Analysis, and preliminary outcome measures, for the Central America FETP
Cost Analysis, and preliminary outcome measures, for the Central America FETP
Monday, June 23, 2014
Argue Plaza
The Central America Regional Field Epidemiology Training Program (CA-FETP) is a three-tiered field epidemiology training program comprised of basic, intermediate, and advanced level courses. We conducted a comprehensive cost analysis for fiscal year* 2009 (FY09) to fiscal year 2013 (FY13) which, when combined with preliminary outcome measures, will be useful in better understanding the public health impact and public health outcomes of the program.
We identified CDC financial contributions to the CA-FETP in FY09 to FY13. We standardized costs components into a single set of categories. Using the CDC accounting system, we collected relevant financial and operational cost data concerning contributions at CDC headquarters and in Central America. For preliminary outcome measures, we described the benefits of CA-FETP using evaluation indicators and success stories involving FETP residents and graduates.
The estimated CDC costs for the CA-FETP ranged from $ 841,220 to $1,194,209 per year from FY09 to FY13. The cost analysis revealed that the primary cost driver for the CA-FETP is the number of staff members supporting the CA-FETP. The proportions of the annual total of CDC funds which were spent on staff members supporting the CA-FETP ranged from 68.4% to 80.7% during the five years. Other expenses include indirect costs (ranged from 9.5% to 18.3% of the total costs). During the five years, CA-FETP assisted in 259 outbreak investigations and 189 (73%) investigations achieved measurable public health impacts leading to identification of risk factors, savings lives, preventive public actions, or policy changes. During the five years, outbreak responses were timely (61.8%) receiving a response within 24 hours of the request. Outbreak responses were comprehensive in terms of involving laboratory support (76.8%), leading to a confirmed cause (66.8%), identifying risk factors (69.1%) and providing health communication support (22.8%).
This study articulated the costs of the CA-FETP training program and provides a model that other FETPs can use to estimate their actual or projected training costs.
*Fiscal year is October 1 to September 30.
We identified CDC financial contributions to the CA-FETP in FY09 to FY13. We standardized costs components into a single set of categories. Using the CDC accounting system, we collected relevant financial and operational cost data concerning contributions at CDC headquarters and in Central America. For preliminary outcome measures, we described the benefits of CA-FETP using evaluation indicators and success stories involving FETP residents and graduates.
The estimated CDC costs for the CA-FETP ranged from $ 841,220 to $1,194,209 per year from FY09 to FY13. The cost analysis revealed that the primary cost driver for the CA-FETP is the number of staff members supporting the CA-FETP. The proportions of the annual total of CDC funds which were spent on staff members supporting the CA-FETP ranged from 68.4% to 80.7% during the five years. Other expenses include indirect costs (ranged from 9.5% to 18.3% of the total costs). During the five years, CA-FETP assisted in 259 outbreak investigations and 189 (73%) investigations achieved measurable public health impacts leading to identification of risk factors, savings lives, preventive public actions, or policy changes. During the five years, outbreak responses were timely (61.8%) receiving a response within 24 hours of the request. Outbreak responses were comprehensive in terms of involving laboratory support (76.8%), leading to a confirmed cause (66.8%), identifying risk factors (69.1%) and providing health communication support (22.8%).
This study articulated the costs of the CA-FETP training program and provides a model that other FETPs can use to estimate their actual or projected training costs.
*Fiscal year is October 1 to September 30.