Evidence-based public health for local health practitioners: A partnership between two practice communities and academia

Starting in 2004, the NYS DOH and the Albany PRC collaboratively developed a course, Evidence Based Public Health for Local Health Practice (EBPH), targeted to local public health practitioners. An ad hoc advisory committee, representing ten local health departments, reviewed the curriculum and helped shape the course to meet their needs. The first session was offered as a pilot in May 2005; seven advisory group members participated and provided extensive feedback in debriefing sessions. This three-way collaboration (state, local, and academic) shaped a training program that was offered 7 times in the next two years and received enthusiastically (see http://www.albany.edu/sph/prc/ebph.htm).

Participants in each session were contacted 6-8 months later to complete a follow-up evaluation. Over 60% of respondents agreed with the statement “the EBPH course contributed significantly to my professional development.” Over half report use of each of the eight modules in their workplace. Other specific findings: --Although very few self-identified as being an epidemiologist, over 80% of respondents indicated that they used those skills in their job, suggesting a need to strengthen epidemiologic competencies among non-epidemiologists. -- Logic models were prioritized by our advisory group and indicated as very relevant by nearly everyone in the end-of-class evaluations. Most follow-up respondents reported at least occasional use, and identified specific benefits to using logic models in the workplace. -- Most expect the use of evidence-based practices in their workplace to increase and attribute some of the impetus to the EBPH course. Specific barriers to implementing EBPH practices were identified.