247721 Interdisciplinary Service-Learning: A teaching pedagogy for enhancing the application of health educator core competencies

Monday, October 31, 2011

Angela Hinzey, MPH, CHES , School of Medicine and Health Sciences and The School of Public Health and Health Services, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
Background: Service-Learning is an experiential education method that simultaneously promotes the pursuit of learning objectives and achievement of meaningful community outcomes. Few service-learning programs subsist at a professional educational level and fewer still are interdisciplinary, a crucial emerging trend in professional development. The Interdisciplinary Student Community-Oriented Prevention Enhancement Service (ISCOPES) at George Washington University is one such program, involving graduate-level, health sciences students in health education activities. The goal of the study is to evaluate how effectively this program builds application skills in health education project planning, implementation, and evaluation. Specifically, the intent is to evaluate students in their development and application of 75% of the core sub-competencies defined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. for Master Certified Health Education Specialists. Methods: Each student spends 50 total hours over two semesters in student-led team meetings, including faculty and community preceptor training, coaching, and mentoring; in smaller work groups for content research and program development; and on site for community capacity building and evaluation. Students will complete retrospective pre-tests and post-tests at the conclusion of the program. Results: 150 students are participating in this study. Study completion date is April 2011; progressive skills demonstration among participants heralds statistically significant changes in at least 80% of targeted competencies among at least 80% of the students. Conclusions: The results of this study are imminent and warrant dissemination to those seeking innovative classroom and curricular approaches to building health educator competencies within medical, health sciences, and public health programs.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Other professions or practice related to public health
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss certified health education specialist core sub-competencies 2. Identify the core components of the ISCOPES program 3. Describe at least three key data points pertaining to measured program effectiveness

Keywords: Service Learning, Health Education Strategies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I oversee this service-learning program and I am conducting the research related to this abstract. I also served as a state level Trainer of Trainers and Technical Assistance Specialist for health promotion and disease prevention programs.
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.