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

Purpose: This study systematically evaluated the effectiveness of a training program to enhance infectious disease response capabilities among primary care physicians. Employing a mixed-methods design, the evaluation utilized Kirkpatrick’s four-level model and the Context, Input, Process, and Product (CIPP) framework to assess the program and propose improvements.Methods: The study targeted a 2022 national infectious disease training program for primary care physicians (N=1,718). We analyzed quantitative pre- and post-training data from 100 randomly selected participants and qualitative data from in-depth interviews with 10 participants. Validated tools, developed by psychometrics and content experts, were used to measure satisfaction (Kirkpatrick Level 1), learning achievement (Level 2), practical application (Level 3), and organizational contribution (Level 4).Results: Overall training satisfaction was high (3.96±0.72). Learning achievement (Level 2) showed statistically significant improvements from pre-training to post-training assessments (F = 12.922, p < 0.001). Practical application (Level 3; 3.19±0.86) and organizational contribution (Level 4; 3.47±0.70) scores indicated motivation to apply learning and institutional readiness for response strategies.Conclusion: This study confirmed that the training effectively enhanced individual competency and organizational response capacity across all four Kirkpatrick levels. The integrated application of Kirkpatrick and CIPP models provided a robust framework for assessing learning transfer and guiding program improvement. These findings underscore the need for continued efforts to develop diverse training programs, conduct systematic evaluations, and disseminate successful outcomes to the wider healthcare community.