Post on 28-Dec-2015
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE
On-line Practicum Orientation
Must be Completed before you start your practicum
Welcome to the On-Line Practicum Orientation
There are two sections to this orientation. In the first the requirements for the practicum are outlined. In the second you are introduced to the essential services of public health.
After you finish the second section you will complete a five question quiz (available October 1,
2006) – this must be completed before you register for the practicum course.
Goals of this Presentation
Introduce the purpose of the practicum
Outline the requirements of the practicum
Outline roles and responsibilities Provide information so that you may
succeed academically and develop professionally
The Practicum is a Unique Learning Opportunity
It allows you to Satisfy the academic requirement for
the MPH and Dr. Ph programs Apply classroom learning Be engage in a planned, supervised
and evaluated experience Meet your academic goals and follow
your professional interests
A Student’s Words of Wisdom
Plan a practicum in your field of interest Set specific objectives/goals Discuss these with your faculty sponsor &
site preceptor (supervisor) before you go on site
Make arrangements early (at least a semester ahead of time) so that you have a smooth productive internship
Jenny Coley, DrPH
Community Preceptor CommentsSummer 2006
“I really enjoy your students. They really help out and always offer unique ideas that make the projects better.”
“We always appreciate your students as they are top tier and contribute fully to the policy, products and processes created by this office.”
Student CommentsSummer 2006
“My project was well-received and, although it took a lot of work, it gave me a sense of accomplishment at the end.”
“It was an outstanding experience in which I gained an extensive background.”
“It was a great learning opportunity.” “The project must be planned before the start
of the practicum.” “I really loved my experience – the atmosphere
and especially the people were extremely conducive to learning.”
Practicum Next Semester?Now What?
Complete on-line orientation Discuss interests and potential sites
with your advisor Check out sites posted by the Office
of Public Health Practice Contact potential sites Choose a site and complete a learning
contract
Minimum Practicum Requirements
Completion of on-line orientation Completed, signed and submitted learning
contract Completion of assigned projects Completion of practicum product Active participation in practicum seminar Posting of project abstract to Blackboard Completion of electronic evaluation
What can I do at my practicum?
Complete a needs assessment Develop a program Evaluate a program Collect and/or analyze data Complete a policy analysis Conduct a pilot research project
Finding a Practicum! The Office of Public Health Practice will assist,
however, it is primarily the student’s responsibility
Current opportunities are listed on the Practicum Connection Search section of the Office of Public Health Practice webpage
Almost every week you are sent recent postings
Many students develop their own practicum in consultation with faculty
Who is Involved with the Practicum Once You Identify a Specific Project?
The faculty sponsor assists you in defining your learning objectives, meets with you as needed and submits your grade
The community preceptor assists you in matching your learning objectives to the project, provides you with an orientation to the organization, provides day-to-day oversight and submits an evaluation
Selecting Your Faculty Sponsor
It’s Your Choice: Your advisor A faculty member with whom you
have a supportive student/faculty relationship
A faculty member whose interest and/or research relates to your project
International Students
Guidelines for international students are provided in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section of our webpage. All procedures must be followed
Registering for the Practicum
Register for PH9997 – Practicum Public Health
You can register for 1-9 hours of credit however only 3 credit hours may be applied toward your degree program
It is highly recommended that students complete a three credit practicum representing 180 hour of experience
The number of credit hours should take into consideration:
hours on site – four hours on site equals one credit
difficulty of objectives
What is the Practicum Seminar?
Co-taught by a faculty member and a public health practitioner
Meets seven times during the 15 week practicum
Students are required to actively participate in all discussions and reflection sessions
Students are required to post an abstract of their project on Blackboard before a grade is posted
What is a learning contract?
An agreement between the student, community preceptor and faculty sponsor
Outlines the student’s scope of work – including measurable learning objectives, timelines and deliverables
A LEARNING CONTRACT MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE YOU START YOUR PRACTICUM
Learning Contract
Clarifies Goals/objectives Methods Timelines Deliverable (final product)
A LEARNING CONTRACT MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE YOU START YOUR
PRACTICUM
Learning Contract Form
The form can be completed on-line. Three signatures are required – yours, your community preceptor and faculty advisor. A copy of the completed and signed form must be forwarded to the Office of Public Health Practice/regional campus before the first day of the practicum.
Responsibilities
Student
Faculty Sponsor
Community Preceptor
Student Responsibilities
Complete and submit a signed learning contract Develop a proposal if you want your practicum to lead to
a practice-based culminating experience Register for PH 9997 Comply with policies and procedures of organization Complete assignments in a timely fashion Maintain communication with faculty sponsor as needed Attend and participate in bi-weekly seminars Complete seminar assignments – post abstract Complete on-line evaluation
Community Preceptor Responsibilities
Assists in completing the learning contract
Provides an orientation to the organization
Provides an appropriate workspace Oversees on-site activities Participates in meetings as requested Completes an electronic evaluation
Faculty Sponsor Responsibilities
Assists the student in selecting their site Assists in completing the learning contract Assists in determining if criteria for
culminating experience are met Participates in meetings as requested Monitors progress Assesses completeness of final product and
posts a grade/comment card
Practicum Checklist
A practicum checklist is available on the webpage –it addresses pre-, during- and post- practicum requirements
Final Product
Must meet the needs of your community preceptor
May be a report, poster, grant, journal article etc., etc.
If it is a report, use the following format Introduction/Statement of the Problem – why is this an important
public health issue Specific Aims/Learning Objectives Methods/Procedures Findings/Accomplishments/Public Health Implications
Evaluations An electronic evaluation is completed
by the student and community preceptor
Aggregate evaluation reports are prepared for divisions
An executive summary is prepared for community preceptors
Your faculty sponsor is responsible for posting grades
Section Two
Orientation to the Essential Services of Public Health
Source: CDC, Practice Office
National Public Health Performance Standards Program
Orientation to the Essential Public Health Services
A little history…
Three core functions (1988 IOM Report) Assessment Policy Development Assurance
Core Functions Steering Committee (1994) Public Health in America statement
Essential Public Health Services Developed by the Core Public
Health Functions Steering Committee (1994) Included reps from national
organizations and federal agencies
Charge: To provide a description and definition of public health
Developed the “Public Health in America” statement
Vision:Healthy People in Healthy
Communities
Mission:Promote Physical and Mental Health
andPrevent Disease, Injury, and Disability
Public Health Prevents epidemics and the spread of disease Protects against environmental hazards Prevents injuries Promotes and encourages healthy behaviors Responds to disasters and assists communities in recovery Assures the quality and accessibility of health services
Essential Services of Public Health
• Monitor health status• Diagnose and
investigate • Inform, educate, and
empower• Mobilize community
partnerships• Develop policies and
plans
• Enforce laws and regulations
• Link people to needed services / assure care
• Assure a competent workforce
• Evaluate health services
• Research
The Essential Services as a Framework
Used as a foundation for the National Public Health Performance Standards Program (NPHPSP) instruments
Provides a foundation for any public health activity
Describes public health at both the state and local levels
NPHPSP Instruments include sections addressing each ES
NPHPSP
Assessment Instruments State public health system Local public health system Local governance
Partners CDC APHA ASTHO
NACCHO NALBOH NNPHI PHF
The EPHS “in English”
1. Understand health issues at the state and community levels (Or “what’s going on in our state/community? Do we know how healthy we are?”)
2. Identify and respond to health problems or threats (Or “Are we ready to respond to health problems or threats? How quickly do we find out about problems? How effective is our response?”)
3. Keep people informed about health issues and healthy choices. (Or “How well do we keep all people and segments of our State informed about health issues?”)
The EPHS “in English”
4. Engage people and organizations in health issues. (Or “How well do we really get people and organizations engaged in health issues?”)
5. Plan and implement sound health policies. (Or “What policies promote health in our State? How effective are we in planning and in setting health policies?”)
6. Enforce public health laws and regulations. (Or “When we enforce health regulations are we up-to-date, technically competent, fair and effective?”)
The EPHS “in English”
7. Make sure people receive the medical care they need. (Or “Are people receiving the medical care they need?”)
8. Maintain a competent public health and medical workforce. (Or “Do we have a competent public health staff? How can we be sure that our staff stays current?”)
9. Evaluate and improve programs. (Or “Are we doing any good? Are we doing things right? Are we doing the right things?”)
10. Support innovation and identify and use best practices. (Or “Are we discovering and using new ways to get the job done?”)
Monitor Health to Identify and Solve
Community Health Problems
Accurate, periodic assessment of the community’s health status, including: Identification of health risks Attention to vital statistics and disparities Identifications of assets and resources
Utilization of methods and technology (e.g., GIS) to interpret and communicate data
Population health registries
Diagnose and Investigate Health Problems and Hazards in the Community
Timely identification and investigation of health threats
Availability of diagnostic services, including laboratory capacity
Response plans to address major health threats
Inform, Educate, and Empower People About Health Issues
Initiatives using health education and communication sciences to: Build knowledge and shape attitudes Inform decision-making choice Develop skills and behaviors for healthy living
Health education and health promotion partnerships within the community to support healthy living
Media advocacy and social marketing
Mobilize Community Partnerships to Identify and Solve Health Problems
Constituency development and identification of system partners and stakeholders
Coalition development Formal and informal
partnerships to promote health improvement
Develop Policies and Plans That Support Individual and Community Health Efforts
Policy development to protect health and guide public health practice
Community and state planning
Alignment of resources to assure successful planning
Enforce Laws and Regulations That Protect Health and Ensure Safety
Review, evaluation, and revision of legal authority, laws, and regulations
Education about laws and regulations Advocating of regulations needed to protect
and promote health Support of compliance efforts and
enforcement as needed
Link People to Needed Personal Health Services and Assure the Provision of Health Care when Otherwise Unavailable
Identifying populations with barriers to care
Effective entry into a coordinated system of clinical care
Ongoing care management Culturally appropriate and targeted health
information for at risk population groups Transportation and other enabling services
Assure a Competent Public and Personal Healthcare Workforce
Assessment of the public health and personal health workforce
Maintaining public health workforce standards Efficient processes for licensing / credentialing requirements Use of public health competencies
Quality improvement and life-long learning Leadership development Cultural competence
Evaluate Effectiveness, Accessibility, and Quality of Personal and
Population-based Health Services Evaluation answers
Are we doing things right? Are we doing the right things?
Evaluation must be ongoing and should examine: Personal health services Population based services The public health system
Evaluation should drive resource allocation and program improvement
Research for New Insights and Innovative Solutions to Health Problems
Identification and monitoring of innovative solutions and cutting-edge research to advance public health
Linkages between public health practice and academic / research settings
Epidemiological studies, health policy analyses and health systems research.
Quiz
Available October 1, 2006
For practicum starting after December 2006, the quiz must be submitted before you can register for PH 9997