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

Abstract #108969

Kelly Larson, MPH¹, Joslyn Levy, BSN, MPH², Lynn Silver, MD, MPH³, Michelle G. Dresser, MPH, CHES¹, Kathy Alexis, MPH¹, Charles Asumeng, MS¹, Kesha Crichlow, MD¹, Elizabeth Drackett, MPA¹, Laura Goodman, MPH¹, Mahala Holmes¹, Kristin Stevens¹, and Ronica Webb, MPH¹. (1) New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention, Public Health Detailing Program, 2 Lafayette Street, 20th Floor, CN 46, New York, NY 10007, 212-676-4127, mdresser@health.nyc.gov, (2) New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention, Clinical Systems Improvement, 2 Lafayette Street, 20th Floor, CN 46, New York, NY 10007, (3) New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention, 2 Lafayette Street, 20th Floor, CN 46, New York, NY 10007

Background: In 2003, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) instituted "Public Health Detailing" an educational outreach approach targeting healthcare providers in underserved neighborhoods. The program is modeled on the pharmaceutical sales strategy of delivering brief, targeted messages to clinical staff in their practice settings. This strategy provides a sustained one-to-one relationship between DOHMH representatives and healthcare providers that enhances the likelihood of practice change.

Methods: Health Department Representatives promote a specific clinical topic during ten-week campaigns, including asthma, influenza, colon cancer screening and smoking cessation. Prior to each campaign, reps participate in a comprehensive training which incorporates content experts with strategic planning around communicating with providers. Graphically arresting materials are developed for each campaign, including clinical tools, provider resources, and patient education materials. Representatives visit practices and promote health interventions during brief interactions. At the end of each visit, the representative asks for a commitment to taking a specific action related to strategies introduced.

Results: Ninety-five percent of the 202 targeted healthcare sites have been visited during these campaigns, totaling 4,266 interactions with healthcare staff. Approximately 50% of all interactions have involved physicians, with nurses representing the second most frequently contacted group. The average visit lasts 10 minutes.

Conclusions: The public health detailing effort has proven to be a feasible approach for promoting recommended clinical practices to health care providers and their staff. The campaigns have succeeded in reaching providers and sharing information and tools to assist practices in caring for patients in high-risk communities.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the public health detailing approach to improving clinical practice
• Describe essential components of a public health detailing program
• Articulate the importance of including the practice team in clinical improvement efforts

Keywords: Public Health Agency Roles, Quality Improvement

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.