RESUMEN
Distance learning is an effective strategy to address the many barriers to continuing education faced by the public health workforce. With the proliferation of online learning programs focused on public health, there is a need to develop and adopt a common set of principles and practices for distance learning. In this article, we discuss the 10 principles that guide the development, design, and delivery of the various training modules and courses offered by the North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness (NCCPHP). These principles are the result of 10 years of experience in Internet-based public health preparedness educational programming. In this article, we focus on three representative components of NCCPHP's overall training and education program to illustrate how the principles are implemented and help others in the field plan and develop similar programs.
Asunto(s)
Defensa Civil/educación , Curriculum , Educación en Salud Pública Profesional/organización & administración , Internet , Desarrollo de Programa/normas , Educación a Distancia , Guías como Asunto , Humanos , Gobierno LocalRESUMEN
In 2004, the General Communicable Disease Control Branch of the North Carolina Division of Public Health and the North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness partnered to create a free continuing education course in communicable-disease surveillance and outbreak investigations for public health nurses. The course was a competency-based curriculum with 14 weeks of Internet-based instruction, culminating in a two-day classroom-based skills demonstration. In spring 2006, the course became mandatory for all public health nurses who spend at least three-fourths of their time on tasks related to communicable diseases. As of December 2006, 177 nurses specializing in communicable diseases from 74 North Carolina counties had completed the course. Evaluations indicated that participants showed statistically significant improvements in self-perceived confidence to perform competencies addressed by the course. This course has become a successful model that combines academic expertise in curriculum development and teaching technologies with practical expertise in course content and audience needs. Through a combination of Internet and classroom instruction, this course has delivered competency-based training to the public health professionals who perform as frontline epidemiologists throughout North Carolina.
Asunto(s)
Competencia Clínica , Control de Enfermedades Transmisibles , Conducta Cooperativa , Educación Continua , Epidemiología/educación , Evaluación de Necesidades , Enfermería en Salud Pública/educación , Educación a Distancia , Humanos , Internet , North Carolina , Vigilancia de la PoblaciónRESUMEN
The bioterrorism preparedness training needs of the public health workforce have been described in several studies, assessments, and surveys. To meet these needs, the North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness (NCCPHP) and the Public Health Leadership Program (PHLP) at the University of North Carolina School of Public Health developed a new distance learning course, Introduction to Public Health Preparedness for Disasters and Emergencies. After a review of assessment data to identify training needs, we conducted a literature review of methodology and concluded that a distance learning course would be the best approach. The course curriculum is based on the Bioterrorism and Emergency Readiness Competencies for All Public Health Workers. This paper describes the course development process and methods used to make this course an effective training tool.
Asunto(s)
Bioterrorismo , Educación Basada en Competencias , Educación en Salud Pública Profesional/métodos , Humanos , Internet , North CarolinaRESUMEN
Short online training modules have been developed by the North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness (NCCPHP) and provided to registered users for free on its Training Web Site. Use of these modules can improve the knowledge, skills, and awareness of public health professionals in topics related to public health preparedness. According to the results of a survey implemented in October 2004, the NCCPHP Training Web Site is effectively reaching its target audience of local and state public health workers. The utilization of distance learning technology allows for broad distribution of training materials, with registered users in all 50 US states and 122 foreign countries. In addition, the NCCPHP Training Web Site is providing training materials in topics most requested by the public health workforce. According to the findings of this survey, online training in public health preparedness and response is an efficient way to improve the knowledge and skills of our public health workforce to increase competency.
Asunto(s)
Comportamiento del Consumidor , Educación en Salud Pública Profesional/organización & administración , Internet , Educación en Salud Pública Profesional/estadística & datos numéricos , Humanos , North CarolinaRESUMEN
Assessing the training needs of local public health workers is an important step toward providing appropriate training programs in emergency preparedness and core public health competencies. The North Carolina Public Health Workforce Training Needs Assessment survey was implemented through the collaboration of several organizations, including the North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness at the North Carolina Institute for Public Health, the outreach and service unit of the University of North Carolina School of Public Health, the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response in the North Carolina Division of Public Health Epidemiology Section, and local health departments across the state.