The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

4171.0: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 - 3:10 PM

Abstract #44295

Worforce development: Tools and examples for linking academia and practice

Chris L. Day, MPH and Ron Bialek, MPP. Public Health Foundation, 1220 L. Street, N.W. Suite 350, Washington, DC 20005, 202-898-5600 ext 3017, cday@phf.org

The Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice, comprised of leaders from national academic and practice organizations, fosters and builds linkages between the academic and practice communities of public health. Through the Council's activities, including an annual call for abstracts for Linkage Awards recognizing outstanding collaborative activities, and research and compilation for its quarterly publication, The Link, over 50 linkages have been documented in developing and implementing programs that address workforce development.

These documented academic/practice linkages provide concrete examples on how academic/practice linkages can be built and how they can focus on workforce development efforts. They also show how linkages can expand the knowledge and understanding of researchers and practitioners and contribute to public health infrastructure.

Examples of academic/practice linkages addressing workforce development, will be presented and discussed. This will include a description of the projects along with the successes, difficulties, unexpected outcomes of the collaborations, and a follow-up on long-term outcomes.

Recent examples include:

- MCP Hahneman University School of Public Health and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health study on the outcomes of a service-learning collaboration linking public health practitioners, students, and faculty.

- Maricopa County Department of Public Health and the Arizona State University College of Nursing project where students in a community health assessment course worked with community coalitions to produce a health needs assessment.

The session will also highlight tools the Council has compiled for assisting with academic/practice workforce development activities, particularly practicum programs.

Learning Objectives: By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to

Keywords: Workforce, Public Health

Related Web page: www.phf.org/Link.htm

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

A Fundamental Necessity: The Central Role of Academic-Practice Linkages for Workforce Development

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA