The Corporation de Recherche et d’Action sur les Maladies Héréditaires (corporation for research and action on hereditary diseases) (CORAMH) is an organization whose mission is to prevent hereditary diseases in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean (SLSJ) by focusing on information, awareness and the education of the population. The presence of this organism in the region is explained by a higher frequency of certain hereditary diseases caused by a socio-demographic phenomenon called the “founder effect.” The main tool of CORAMH is its genetic information program deployed free of charge since 1983 in schools, businesses and social groups. This information program needs to be evaluated to ensure the benefits expected.
Two target clienteles of CORAMH seem more problematic in terms of participant interest and retention of knowledge, namely Secondary 3 students and those in vocational training centres. These two clienteles are also those most frequently encountered by the organization.
The genetic information program was therefore subjected to an initial evaluation in the fall of 2018 to identify the elements to be modified in terms of listening to participants in the class and retention of knowledge. A multidisciplinary team has developed innovative transfer strategies based on the results of this evaluation, including promotional capsules, vlogs and interactive conferences. These tools, adapted for each of the two clienteles identified by the project, were tested in the fall of 2019 to assess their effectiveness. The finalization of the new transfer strategies took place in 2020-2021.
Although these two clienteles (secondary 3 schools and CFP students) are the first to feel the effects of the strategies deployed, the other groups encountered within the framework of CORAMH’s genetic information program will also be able to benefit from them. In addition to these new innovative transfer strategies, the data concerning the appreciation of its program will allow the organization to promote its training and demonstrate its usefulness.
The evaluation report is available here. It contains all the results of the qualitative and quantitative analyses.
