GSU-NACDD-CDC Chronic Disease and Public Health Workforce Training

Training Needs Survey and Public Health Certificate in Chronic Disease

Training for Action (TRAC) Project

TRAC Principles

• Every action based on evidence

• Every training directed toward competency

• Every competency directed toward outcome

• Describe training needs of the chronic disease workforce in state and local health departments

• Provide evidence base for curriculum design

• Create baseline for future assessments

• Investigate methods for measuring training needs

TRAC Survey Purpose

• Focuses on actual individual reports, not management assessments

• Captures specific data on chronic disease workforce needs

• Translates competencies into education practice

Unique Aspects of TRAC Survey

TRAC Survey Evidence BaseAgencies and Organizations That Have Conducted

PHWF Assessments• Council on Education for Public Health • Association of Schools of Public Health • Institute of Medicine • Association of State and Territorial Health Officials • National Association of County and City Health Officials • US Government Accountability Office • Center for Studying Healthcare Change • HRSA Bureau of Health Professions • State Health Departments • Universities and/or Schools of Public Health • Council on Linkages between Academia and Public Health Practice• World Health Organization • American Public Health Association

TRAC Survey Evidence Base

Common Themes From PHWF Assessments

Local and state public health agencies vary widely in their capacity and training

Schools of public health should have comprehensive, yet flexible programs with the capability to educate and nurture new public health professionals as well as offer continuing education opportunities for those already working in the field.

There is a ongoing shortage of professionals in the public health workforce.

Lack of funding is a major barrier to building the capacity of the public health workforce, and often results in insufficient pay and benefits and hiring restrictions that affect the ability to recruit and retain quality public health professionals.

There is lack of adequate training and education found in all levels of the public health workforce

TRAC Survey Evidence Base

Assessing Competencies/Training Needs for PH Professionals in Chronic Disease Programs

Kreitner, et al. J PH Management Practice 2003;9:284-290

Critical competencies– Human resources/management– Public health/chronic disease knowledge– Communication– Informatics/computers– Cultures/diversity– Epidemiology/biostatics– Chronic disease prevention/policy– Evaluation (12 SHD, 73 managers in focus groups)

TRAC Survey Evidence Base

Michigan Bureau of Health Promotion and Disease Control

(175 employees)

• Identified top training needs– Understand composition of public health workforce– Conduct surveys/studies on health services– Use qualitative and quantitative data

• Preferred training format– Face to face– Computer-based– Videoconference

TRAC Survey Evidence Base

NACDD Competencies for Practice

• Build support with stakeholders• Design and evaluate programs• Influence policies and systems change• Lead strategically• Manage people• Manage programs and resources• Use public health science

TRAC Survey Evidence BaseWHO Assessment of National Capacity for

Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control2001

• Health indicators• Operational plans• Legislation• Information systems and statistics• Structure and financing of prevention and treatment activities• Human resources• Capacity for monitoring and evaluation

TRAC Survey Evidence Base Public Health Accreditation Board

Derived from 10 essential services

A. Provide infrastructure for public heath servicesB. Action in 10 domains1. Collect and maintain population health data2. Investigate health problems and hazards to protect community3. Communicate information on public health issues and functions4. Engage the community to promote public health policies5. Develop and implement strategic plan6. Enforce public health laws7. Assess health care capacity and access8. Maintain competent health workforce9. Evaluate effectiveness of public health programs and interventions10. Contribute to and apply evidence-based public health practice

TRAC Survey Design

• State and local health department professionals• Early to mid-career (not senior managers)• Individual professionals describing their own needs• Web-based survey• Self-assessed capacity• Based on competencies and curriculum development

TRAC Survey Questions

• Demographics• Characteristics of health department• Profession, title, education• Chronic disease focus• Functions within program• Current training priorities and training delivery

preferences• Career and retirement plans• Computer skills and access

TRAC Certificate Purpose

• Provide evidence-based academic training for public health professionals in chronic disease

• Use survey data directly from prospective students in course design

• Employ competency-to-curriculum education design

A competency is…

A set of applied skills and knowledge that enable people to perform work

Association of Prevention Teaching and Research

TRAC Curriculum Evidence Base

Competency-To-Curriculum Toolkit

March 2008

Association of Prevention Teaching and Research

TRAC Curriculum Evidence Base

Competency-to-Curriculum Chronic Disease Example