Translating evidence to support sound public health policy decisions: An evidence-based public health course in action

This presentation will discuss the implementation of a required course focused on evidence-based public health for second year doctoral students at the School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC). The goal of the DrPH Practice degree at UNTHSC is to provide advanced training in public health practice and leadership linked to the ASPH DrPH Core Competency Model, Version 1.3. Students utilize the Model during their first semester when they create a Professional Development Plan identifying steps toward improvement. During each semester, continuous quality improvement (CQI) questionnaires survey each student on how well DrPH Practice core courses meet their professional development needs. The feedback identified a gap in evidence-based education, which spearheaded a creative change in the curriculum structure and development of a new course - Evidence-Based Public Health. The course focuses on critical analysis and communication of scientific evidence in public health practice. Students have to demonstrate their ability to evaluate evidence in specific practice areas. Course activities require students to persuasively orally defend their appraisals of research literature and associated public health practice strategies. The course integrates competencies from the Advocacy, Communication, Critical Analysis, and Leadership domains. Evaluations of projects and defenses are done by a faculty committee, consisting of members from various public health disciplines and departments. In addition, blinded feedback produces an authentic assessment of student performance that is much less subject to common grade inflation pressures. This presentation will discuss implementation of an evidence-based public health course utilizing innovative teaching techniques.