202853 Effects of interdisciplinary training on MCH professionals, organizations and systems

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Lewis Margolis , Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Angela Rosenberg, PT, DrPH , Division of Physical Therapy, Clinical Center for the Study of Development and Learning, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Karl Umble, PhD, MPH , NC Institute for Public Health, UNC School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC
Linda Chewning, MS , Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Jan Dodds, EdD , Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Michael Milano, DMD , School of Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Mary Nyhan, MS , Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Kathleen Rounds, PhD , School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Interdisciplinary practice, essential in the field of maternal and child health given the complex issues and needs of this diverse population, is a collaborative approach applied in the organization and delivery of health and human services, training, policy, and research. This presentation examines the effects of interdisciplinary training on the attitudes and practices of 550 students, fellows, and dental residents who have participated in training programs at UNC-Chapel Hill from 2001 through 2006.

The population for analysis included: (1) trainees from the five MCHB-funded training programs (Public Health, Nutrition, Social Work, Pediatric Dentistry, LEND) who participated in a year long series of interdisciplinary leadership workshops in addition to their regular coursework N=146); (2) trainees from public health and LEND (two interdisclinary MCHB-funded training programs) who did not participate in the leadership workshops (N=270); and (3) non-MCHB students and fellows from uni-disciplinary allied health areas (Communication Disorders, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy) (N=134). Exposure to interdisciplinary training was measured through interviews and a survey based on a review of the literature on measurable dimensions of interdisciplinary programs. Attitudes toward interdisciplinary practice and current experience with interdisciplinary practice were measured with a web-based survey designed by the investigators, guided by the literature.

Using analysis of variance and other techniques, we examine the hypothesis that the greater the “interdisciplinarity” of the training experience, the more likely participants are to indicate the importance of interdisciplinary practice, to engage currently in such practice, and to have an impact on the systems in which they work.

Learning Objectives:
Examine the effects of interdisciplinary training on the attitudes and practices of 500 students, fellows, and dental residents who participated in training programs at UNC-Chapel Hill, from 2001 through 2006. Discuss the hypothesis that the greater the degree of interdisciplinary exposure in the training experience, the more likely participants are to engage in such practice and have an impact on the systems in which they work.

Keywords: Training, Professional Preparation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I Associate Professor of MCH, I serve as Lead Investigator in the 3 year MCHB funded study outlined in the abstract. Leading up to this evaluation of the unique training program at UNC, I have served as a member of the faculty work group to develop and implement the 6 year old program.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Epidemiology and Data Poster Session
See more of: Maternal and Child Health