Student community based research teams: Improving public health competencies and skills

Background: Public Health (PH) field study supervisors and employers have reported MPH students frequently lack applied PH skills required in the PH workforce setting. Study Aims: To assess student's learning of applied PH competencies and skills among MPH students participating in faculty led community-based research projects Methods: Case study design is used to assess MPH student participation (n=52) as members of faculty led research teams in six community-based research projects over a two year period. Data includes participant observation field notes, in depth student interviews and a student PH community-based research competency and skill questionnaire. Interviews and feedback from community partners are used assess the quality of student participation and specific areas of contribution to the success of community projects. Results: Students report increased ability to apply of PH theory and concepts in community settings as a result of their participation in student research teams including collaboration with community partners, program planning, curricular development, Institutional Review Board (IRB) application, implementation of informed consent, primary data collection among a wide range of participants, study recruitment, data management, budgeting, analysis, report writing and sharing of findings. Community partners highly rated student professionalism, responsibility and community/interaction skills with study participants. Conclusions: Faculty led student research teams are a promising approach to develop student leadership and enthusiasm for community-based research and to link traditional PH academic curriculum with PH workforce needs.