Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #104811

Shannon Perry Limjuco and Kathryn Hawley. Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics, 1358 W. Randolph St, Suite 2E, Chicago, IL 60607, 312-733-3384, slimjuco@illinoisaap.com

The Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) has been a leader in providing practice-based provider education to Illinois health care providers, offering programs addressing vaccine administration and handling, asthma diagnosis, management and treatment, developmental screening and referral, and tobacco cessation. In 2004, ICAAP presented educational programs in over 100 health care offices, reaching over 900 individual health care providers. Research conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that the average patient population for each pediatrician nationwide is 1,500; therefore while practice-based programs train small groups, they ultimately impact thousands of children. Not only do these programs improve clinical skills, but they can help staff at primary care settings better understand and connect with public health. This session will describe the ICAAP “Model for Office-Based Provider Education” which offers a framework involving 1) identifying partnership opportunities including those with public health, 2) creating a program curriculum and identifying trainers, 3) providing incentives for participation, 4) developing evaluation tools and procedures, and 5) establishing appropriate follow-up and technical assistance. Various components of the model will be illustrated through the example of ICAAP's successful “Reaching Our Goals: Immunization Provider Education” program, now in its fourth year of implementation. Faculty will also discuss challenges faced in implementing office-based education programs, and how to best respond to these challenges. Participants will leave the session with the tools to effectively address the continuing education needs of health care providers in their communities.

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

• List and describe the necessary steps for creating a successful office-based provider education program.
• Explain why office-based education can be more effective than traditional educational methods.
• Identify potential challenges /barriers to implementing an office-based program, and discuss ways to address these challenges.

Keywords: Peer Education, Health Education Strategies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation