Methods of Dissemination
Dissemination is important so that individuals, organizations, communities, and policymakers can learn more about the issue and potential strategies to address it. Effective dissemination can also be useful in fostering collaboration between potential partners, which is crucial to a successful rural aging in place program. Dissemination is critical in the development of aging in place programs: it can help with program funding, sustainability, and participation, which ultimately leads to better outcomes for the older adults involved and for their community.
Programs should pay attention to their audience and tailor the dissemination information based on feedback received. Methods for disseminating program information should be catered to different audiences. Potential methods of dissemination for rural aging in place programs include:
- Presenting program results to local senior centers, clinics, governmental agencies, faith-based organizations, and other local aging in place stakeholders
- Discussing project activities on local radio or television news channels
- Publishing information in local newspapers or community bulletins
- Hosting health promotion activities at community events, health fairs, and senior centers
- Publishing project findings in academic journals
- Presenting at local, regional, and national conferences and meetings
- Using the organization's website, brochures, or flyers to share success stories
- Sharing reports and findings with the program's funder or potential funders
There are various other methods for dissemination, depending on the target audience. For specific examples, see Methods of Dissemination in the Rural Community Health Toolkit.
Resources to Learn More
Healthy Aging Research Network: Putting Collective
Wisdom to Work for Older Americans
Document
Booklet describing the Healthy Aging Research Network (HAN), which conducts research and disseminates results of
that research to understand determinants of healthy aging. Provides an example of how the network summarized and
disseminated its findings to colleagues across multiple sectors and communities.
Organization(s): National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Date: 11/2011
Telehealth in Connecticut:
Perspectives from Home Health Care Providers
Document
Follow-up paper that shares the perspectives of licensed home healthcare providers. The implications
and recommendations sections apply dissemination techniques to develop recommendations to promote telehealth in
Connecticut.
Organization(s): Connecticut State Office of Rural Health
Date: 7/2014