141st APHA Annual Meeting

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279763
Genomics web-based training for Texas health educators: Improved knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, intention, and practice

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Lei-Shih Chen, Ph.D., P.T., C.H.E.S. , Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Patricia Goodson, Ph.D. , Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Eunju Jung, B.A. , Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Amber Muenzenberger, M.S., C.H.E.S. , Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Lei Xu, M.A. , Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Oi-Man Kwok, Ph.D. , Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Ming Li, B.S. , Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Background: The Secretary's Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health, and Society (SACGHS), Department of Health & Human Services, recently published a genetics education and training report to address the needs to build up a public health professional genomics workforce. To address this issue, we have developed the first genomics Web-based training for Texas health educators holding (Master) Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES/CHES) designation. We chose family health history (FHH) and cancer as the theme for this first program based on the previous needs assessment data and the requirements from our funding agency. This study presents its evaluation findings.

Methods: We sent three e-mails and two post cards to invite 544 eligible Texas health educators holding MCHES/CHES designation to register and take the genomics Web-based training. A total of 207 Texas health educators completed the pre-assessment surveys, 173 finished taking the FHH training modules and post-assessment surveys, and 137 later completed the three-month follow-up survey.

Results: Approximately 40% of participants were racial/ethnic minorities. Participants' knowledge, attitudes, intention, and self-efficacy regarding FHH education were significantly higher at post-test and three-month follow-up compared to pre-test. Compared to the pre-test, three-month follow-up data showed a significant improvement in participants' FHH practice.

Conclusions and discussion: This first-of-its-kind genomics Web-based training meets the needs raised by the SACGHS. The success of this Web-based genomics training can serve as a model to guide future genomics education programs for health educators and other public health professionals.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Public health biology
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
Describe genomics Web-based training for Texas health educators holding (Master) Certified Health Education Specialists designation; Discuss the effectiveness of genomics Web-based training for Texas health educators.

Keywords: Health Education, Genetics

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Since 2003, Dr. Chen has been advocating for Health Educators’ training in genomics. Dr. Chen has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in prestigious, interdisciplinary journals such as the American Journal of Public Health and Genetics in Medicine focusing on Health Educators’ roles in public health genomics. As principle investigator of this funded project, Dr. Chen is well qualified to present this abstract.
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.