Management training in Vietnam's National Tuberculosis Program: an impact evaluation

SETTING: National Tuberculosis Program (NTP), Vietnam. OBJECTIVES: To show how the Sustainable Management Development Program (SMDP) of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created capacity within Vietnam's NTP to organize a management training program, and to assess the influence of the NTP's incountry training program on individual and team management practices and the performance of provincial TB control programs. DESIGN: Eight case studies of participating provincial TB organizations, including cross-case and content analysis. RESULTS: Participants and their back-home learning project teams demonstrated a solid understanding of the concepts taught, particularly evidence-based decision making, problem diagnosis and problem solving, and using teamwork to improve results. They gave multiple examples of how they use these concepts in their daily work. Project teams exceeded, attained or very nearly attained their target objectives, including improved DOTS implementation. Process improvements had become a routine part of their practice and were often diffused to other districts. Several teams said they now took more initiative in identifying problems and devising solutions. Others said that increased teamwork was improving the commitment of the NTP staff. CONCLUSION: Management training, including applied projects with coaching, can improve managerial and program performance of NTPs.