Recorded presentation

Gary D. Gilmore, MPH, PhD, CHES, Professor and Director of the Graduate Community Health Programs, University of Wisconsin at La Crosse, 201 Mitchell Hall, La Crosse, WI 54601, 608 785-8163, gilmore.gary@uwlax.edu, Alyson Taub, EdD, CHES, Special Assistant to the Dean & Professor of Health Education, New York University, Pless Hall - Suite 500, 82 Washington Square East, New York, NY 10003, Larry K. Olsen, Dr PH, CHES, College of Health and Social Services, New Mexico State University, P.O. Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003, David B. Connell, PhD, Cambridge Research Associates, 7 Jefferson Drive, Acton, MA 01720, David R. Black, PhD, CHES, Department of Health & Kinesiology, Purdue University, 800 W. Stadium Ave, West Lafayette, IN 47907, and Daniel C. Coster, PhD, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Utah State University, Lund Hall, Room 211, Logan, UT 84322-3900.

The National Health Educator Competencies Update Project (CUP) addressed the degree to which the existing role definition of the entry-level health educator is still up-to-date, along with the development and validation of the advanced-level competencies. The national research project used a 19-page questionnaire sent by postal mail to health educators in six practice settings during the 2000-2001 pilot phase (76% adjusted response rate), and during the 2001-2003 major research phase (70% adjusted response rate). A 10% non-respondent follow-up study also was conducted. Responses from over 4,000 practicing health educators from every state and the District of Columbia resulted in the largest national dataset of its kind, with 1.6 million data-points. Over 95% of the respondents answered all items. Data analyses included extensive quantitative and qualitative analyses. Key findings, conclusions, and recommendations will be presented, along with implications for the preparation and practice of health educators.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• Identify the major data collection and analysis procedures for the National Health Educator Competencies Update Project (CUP).
• List the key findings and conclusions.
• Describe the recommendations based on the findings and conclusions.
• Discuss the contributions of the research to professional preparation, certification, and professional development.

Keywords: Competency, Health Education

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.

Recorded presentation