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

Abstract #121217

Karen Ouzts, RN, PhD and Constance A. Diaz Swearingen, MSN, APRN, BC. Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing, University of Wyoming, College of Health Sciences, Dept. 3065, Laramie, WY 82071, 307 / 760 - 5577, kouzts@uwyo.edu

Three of the eight domains of Public Health Core Competencies require skill in identifying, analyzing, and applying current science to one's own public health practice. Increasingly, federal and state funding for programs is based on the ability to apply “best-practices” or evidenced based practice, to local programs. Public Health workers at all levels need proficiency in the examination of current science and it's applicability to program development and implementation. A majority of public health professionals in Wyoming lack formal training in public health science, and may lack the resources or training necessary to implement evidenced based practice. The 2005 Wyoming Summer Institute for Public Health Practice provided training to current and future Wyoming public health leaders to develop skills in the application of evidenced-based public health practice. During the course of the Institute, participants developed practice questions and learned to access, analyze, and apply current research relevant to their own practice setting and problems. The outcomes of the training model were evaluated by pre- and post- surveys and by a poster presentation of a best practice solution for their communities. Outcomes measured included skill in searching for best evidence to address a practice problem, evaluating the quality and level of evidence, sound program or policy planning, and appropriate program evaluation.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to
• • Analyze training methods and resources for increasing the capacity of Wyoming public health leaders to incorporate evidenced based practice into their own public health practice
• • Evaluate outcomes of evidence-based training for public health practice.
• • Dialogue with presenters to identify barriers to evidenced based public health practice in Wyoming.

Keywords: Evidence Based Practice, Professional Development

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.