The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

3001.0: Monday, November 17, 2003 - Board 2

Abstract #69749

Interdisciplinary rural health professions education: Issues and outcomes in program development

Michael Glasser, PhD1, Karen Peters, DrPH2, Paula Winkler2, Howard Zeitz2, and Benjamin Mueller2. (1) Rural Health Professions, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, 1601 Parkview Ave, Rockford, IL 61107, 815-395-5848, michaelg@uic.edu, (2) Rural Health Professions, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, 1601 Parkview, Rockford, IL 61107

The HRSA sponsored Quentin Burdick Interdisciplinary Rural Health Professions Training Program focuses on collaboration and the development of long-term relationships between academic institutions and community organizations in rural areas. Burdick grants support education and training in rural underserved communities by helping to establish interdisciplinary training projects that are innovative, increase access to comprehensive, cost-effective care in rural areas, and help to recruit and retain health care practitioners in rural areas. The present fellowship program combines the resources and expertise of the Western Illinois AHEC, Rural Health Professions at the University of Illinois College of Medicine - Rockford, and the Center for Rural Health, Illinois Department of Public Health in an academic/practice partnership to address the health care needs of four Illinois communities. Participating organizations in each community include hospitals, county health departments and a family practice residency program. The program provides a six-month post-graduate interdisciplinary fellowship to professionals in public health, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work, and dentistry. Training consists of classroom, clinical, and community-based experiences. Classroom modules on population based topics include evidence-based decision-making, practice-based small group learning, cultural competency/community assessment/capacity building, health promotion/disease prevention in special populations, and care of elderly patients. A heavy emphasis is placed on the use of distance technology in the delivery of curricular content which has been developed using a Problem Based Learning case study approach. The role of public health as a contributing discipline to interdisciplinary health professions education and training has been critical to the success of this program development effort.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Health Education Strategies, Distance Education Development

Related Web page: rhp.rockford.uic.edu/rhp

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.

Excellence in Academic-Practice Linkages II: Stregthening the Infrastructure

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA