Online Program

Oral

Since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law in 2010, health education specialists have had new opportunities to broaden their impact and participate in various new models of service delivery geared toward primary prevention and chronic disease management. The ACA provides opportunities for health educators’ roles in schools, communities, health care, and worksite settings in connection with: 1) community prevention, 2) clinical prevention, 3) public health infrastructure and training, and 4) research and surveillance. However, since passage of ACA, there has not been a major workforce survey documenting how health education specialists (HES) have been integrated into these new roles and settings and how their knowledge/skills are being used. It is essential that faculty and CE providers are aware of such challenges to better prepare students and the workforce to assume key roles. The purpose of this session is to provide a brief overview of how the PHEPH Section is working to advance the role of HES in ACA and to record stories from the field of how HES are using their knowledge/skills in ACA and new knowledge/lexicons needed to succeed. In the first one-half of this session, 4 panelists will provide ten-minute overviews of their experiences in implementing ACA (e.g. PHEHP strategic framework, worksite, community, health care). In the second half of the session, the moderator will engage the audience to provide their stories and experiences from the field. Audience members will be given a brief reflective time to complete a worksheet with key questions and then break into small groups to share their insights according to work setting. The stories will be collected and transcribed and used for future marketing to Section members and other key stakeholders on ways to assume critical roles in ACA implementation.

Session Objectives: Explain PHEHP’s strategic framework to advance the role of HES in implementing ACA. Identify at least three HES skills needed across all employment settings that have some role in implementing ACA. Identify new areas of knowledge or skill needed to succeed in implementing ACA in various work settings.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)