4300.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - Board 4

Abstract #17662

The Competencies Update Project: Review and results of the pilot study

Gary D. Gilmore, PhD, MPH, CHES, Community Health Education, University of Wisconsin, 201 Mitchell Hall, La Crosse, WI 54601, 608 785-8163, gilmore@mail.uwlax.edu, Sheila M. Patterson, PhD, CHES, West Chester University, 2210 Ridge Road, Elverson, PA 19520-8960, 610 436-3542, spatters@wcupa.edu, Alyson Z. Taub, EdD, CHES, New York University, 211 E. Shore Rd, Great Neck, NY 11023-2422, 212 998-5792, alyson.taub@nyu.edu, and Larry K. Olsen, DrPH, CHES, Department of Health Science, Towson University, 8000 York Road, 146 Burdick Hall, Towson, MD 21252-0001, 410 830-4217, lolsen@towson.edu.

Early in 1998, the Competencies Update Project began and has become a profession-wide research project. The purpose of the project is to re-verify the entry-level competencies for health education specialists, and further define and verify the advanced level of practice. A six-step pilot process was initiated prior to the main research phase. The process used for the pilot studies and the results of those studies will be presented. The research involves the use of multiple response modalities (postal mail and web-based surveys). Experience gained from developing and testing an extensive web-based survey will be presented. In addition, the methods used to identify the population of health educators nationally and how samples were selected are discussed. The status of the major research phase of the project will be included in the presentation.

Learning Objectives: 1. Explain the process used in developing the Competencies Update Project. 2. Explain the importance of updating the roles and responsibilities of entry and advanced level health educators. 3. Describe how the competencies update project may assist in revision of professional preparation programs in Health Eduation

Keywords: Health Education, Professional Training

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA