RESUMEN
Efforts to reduce the burden of injury and violence require a workforce that is knowledgeable and skilled in prevention. However, there has been no systematic process to ensure that professionals possess the necessary competencies. To address this deficiency, we developed a set of core competencies for public health practitioners in injury and violence prevention programs. The core competencies address domains including public health significance, data, the design and implementation of prevention activities, evaluation, program management, communication, stimulating change, and continuing education. Specific learning objectives establish goals for training in each domain. The competencies assist in efforts to reduce the burden of injury and violence and can provide benchmarks against which to assess progress in professional capacity for injury and violence prevention.
Asunto(s)
Competencia Profesional/normas , Práctica de Salud Pública/normas , Salud Pública/educación , Violencia/prevención & control , Heridas y Lesiones/prevención & control , Educación en Salud Pública Profesional , Educación en Salud , Promoción de la Salud , Humanos , Relaciones Interprofesionales , Evaluación de Necesidades , SociedadesRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This study estimated the prevalence of mental health problems among clients of domestic violence programs in North Carolina, determined whether domestic violence program staff members routinely screen clients for mental health problems, described how domestic violence programs respond to clients who have mental health problems, and ascertained whether domestic violence program staff members and volunteers have been trained in mental health-related issues. METHODS: A survey was mailed to all known domestic violence programs in North Carolina. RESULTS: A total of 71 of the 84 known programs responded to the survey (85 percent response rate). A majority of programs estimated that at least 25 percent of their clients had mental health problems (61 percent) and stated that they routinely asked their clients about mental health issues (72 percent). More than half the programs (54 percent) reported that less than 25 percent of their staff members and volunteers had formal training on mental health issues. An even smaller percentage of programs (23 percent) reported that they had a memorandum of agreement with a local mental health center. CONCLUSIONS: The substantial percentage of domestic violence clients with concurrent mental health needs and the limited mental health services that are currently available have important implications for domestic violence and mental health service delivery.
Asunto(s)
Mujeres Maltratadas/psicología , Violencia Doméstica/prevención & control , Violencia Doméstica/estadística & datos numéricos , Trastornos Mentales/epidemiología , Servicios de Salud Mental/normas , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto , Intervención en la Crisis (Psiquiatría) , Femenino , Humanos , Servicios de Salud Mental/organización & administración , North Carolina/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Training in injury prevention and control represents a major deficit in the fields of health promotion and public health. Internet-based distance learning is an innovative method of offering continuing education to professionals, but this approach has not yet been widely researched or implemented with public health audiences. VINCENTweb involved the development and evaluation of a no-cost continuing education course on injury prevention and control presented exclusively on the World Wide Web. The course was evaluated using online surveys at baseline and follow-up. Participants, especially those with lower education levels, provided positive feedback about the course and reported high levels of learning and satisfaction. This article describes the development and evaluation of VINCENTweb and discusses the implications for developing future Internet-based courses in public health.
Asunto(s)
Educación Continua/métodos , Educación a Distancia/normas , Educación Profesional/métodos , Educación en Salud/métodos , Internet , Violencia/prevención & control , Heridas y Lesiones/prevención & control , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
PURPOSE: To describe the types of services provided to women with disabilities at community-based domestic violence programs in the state of North Carolina, the challenges faced, and strategies used to provide the services. METHODS: We conducted a statewide cross-sectional survey of community domestic violence programs and had a response rate of 85%. RESULTS: Of the participating programs, 99% provided services to at least one woman with a physical or mental disability in the preceding 12 months; 85% offered shelter services to women with physical or mental disabilities. Most respondents (94%-99%) reported that their programs were either somewhat able or very able to provide effective services and care to women with disabilities. The respondents also described challenges to serving women with disabilities, including lack of funding, lack of training, and structural limitations of service facilities. Strategies used by the programs to overcome these challenges were networking and coordinating care with organizations that specifically serve disabled populations. CONCLUSIONS: Domestic violence programs in North Carolina provide services to women with disabilities but are faced with challenges stemming from limited funding, physical space, and training. Collaborations between domestic violence and disability service providers are necessary to improving the services and care delivered to women with disabilities who experience domestic violence.