# Evaluation of an infectious‑disease response training program for primary care physicians in Korea using Kirkpatrick’s 4 levels and the Context, Input, Process, and Product model: a mixed‑methods study

## TL;DR

This study evaluated a training program for Korean primary care physicians to improve their infectious disease response skills, finding it effective across multiple levels of assessment.

## Contribution

The study integrates Kirkpatrick’s 4-level model and the CIPP framework to evaluate training effectiveness in infectious disease response for primary care physicians.

## Key findings

- Training satisfaction was high (3.96±0.72) among participants.
- Learning achievement showed significant improvement (F=12.922, P<0.001) from pre- to post-training.
- Participants demonstrated motivation to apply new knowledge and institutional readiness for response strategies.

## Abstract

This study systematically evaluated the effectiveness of a training program designed to enhance infectious disease response capabilities among primary care physicians. Using a mixed-methods design, the evaluation applied Kirkpatrick’s 4-level model and the Context, Input, Process, and Product (CIPP) framework to assess program outcomes and identify areas for improvement.

The study focused on a national infectious disease training program for primary care physicians conducted in 2022 (N=1,718). Quantitative pre- and post-training data were analyzed from 100 randomly selected participants, along with qualitative data obtained through in-depth interviews with 10 participants. Validated assessment tools, developed by psychometricians and content experts, were used to measure satisfaction (Kirkpatrick level 1), learning achievement (level 2), practical application (level 3), and organizational contribution (level 4).

Overall training satisfaction was high (3.96±0.72). Learning achievement (level 2) demonstrated statistically significant improvement from pre-training to post-training assessments (F=12.922, P<0.001). Scores for practical application (level 3; 3.19±0.86) and organizational contribution (level 4; 3.47±0.70) indicated both strong motivation to apply newly acquired knowledge and institutional readiness to implement response strategies.

This study confirmed that the training program effectively enhanced both individual competencies and organizational response capacity across all 4 Kirkpatrick levels. The integrated application of the Kirkpatrick and CIPP models provided a robust framework for evaluating learning transfer and guiding program improvement. These findings highlight the importance of continued investment in diverse training initiatives, systematic evaluation processes, and the dissemination of successful practices to the broader healthcare community.