The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48669

Kari B. Greene, Lisa Angus, Lynne E. Broderick, Demia L. Sundra, and Nicole D. Trentacoste. Behavioral Science and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322

In 1988, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued a report calling for stronger linkages between public health academia and practice. In consideration of this report, key administrative stakeholders at a school of public health decided to evaluate the image of the school among its various constituents. As a first step, a student-led evaluation team identified the need to examine how public health practitioners throughout the state perceive the services of the school. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted to allow themes and issues relevant to the workforce to emerge. Maximum variation sampling was used to obtain sixteen geographically diverse respondents including health district officers, rural public health nurses, and administrators in community-based service organizations. Findings highlight the importance of field-based training opportunities that are innovative and tailored to specific workforce needs. Additional themes suggest that the public health workforce views academia as distinct from the practice of public health. Barriers to linkages include: lack of awareness regarding academic opportunities and activities; opportunity costs; time constraints, and lack of resources. Evaluation recommendations include: 1) develop and implement a rural practica program that is mutually beneficial to current students, public health professionals, and faculty; 2) key stakeholders must articulate and disseminate their vision regarding community partnerships. By incorporating academic-practice partnerships within coursework, this evaluation provided immediately applicable information to the school’s stakeholders and encouraged student linkages with the public health community. Results of this evaluation have particular significance for urban schools of public health located in a predominantly rural state.

Learning Objectives: By participating in this session, the attendee will be able to

• Identify and describe three primary challenges for academic-practitioner linkages;
• List three benefits of partnerships between academia and the public health workforce in the surrounding community;
• Discuss two examples of how schools of public health can integrate practical experiences into the educational curricula.

Keywords: Evaluation,

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.