UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE

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UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC
HEALTHOFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE

• On-line Practicum Orientation
• Must be Completed before you start your practicum

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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.

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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

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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

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A Students 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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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Finding a Practicum!

• The Office of Public Health Practice will assist,
  however, it is primarily the students
  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

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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

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Selecting Your Faculty Sponsor

• Its 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

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International Students

• Guidelines for international students are
  provided in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  Section of our webpage. All procedures must be
  followed

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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

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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

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What is a learning contract?

• An agreement between the student, community
  preceptor and faculty sponsor
• Outlines the students scope of work including
  measurable learning objectives, timelines and
  deliverables
• A LEARNING CONTRACT MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE YOU
  START YOUR PRACTICUM

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Learning Contract

• Clarifies
• Goals/objectives
• Methods
• Timelines
• Deliverable (final product)
• A LEARNING CONTRACT MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE YOU
  START YOUR PRACTICUM

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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.

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Responsibilities

• Student
• Faculty Sponsor
• Community Preceptor

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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

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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

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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

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Practicum Checklist

• A practicum checklist is available on the webpage
  it addresses pre-, during- and post- practicum
  requirements

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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

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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

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Section Two

• Orientation to the Essential Services of Public
  Health
• Source CDC, Practice Office

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National Public Health Performance Standards
ProgramOrientation to the Essential Public
Health Services
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A little history

• Three core functions (1988 IOM Report)
• Assessment
• Policy Development
• Assurance
• Core Functions Steering Committee (1994)
• Public Health in America statement

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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

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Vision Healthy People in Healthy Communities
Mission Promote Physical and Mental Health
and Prevent Disease, Injury, and Disability
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• 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

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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

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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

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NPHPSP

• Assessment Instruments
• State public health system
• Local public health system
• Local governance

• Partners
• CDC
• APHA
• ASTHO

• NACCHO
• NALBOH
• NNPHI
• PHF

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The EPHS in English

• Understand health issues at the state and
  community levels (Or whats going on in our
  state/community? Do we know how healthy we
  are?)
• 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?)
• 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?)

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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?)
• Enforce public health laws and regulations. (Or
  When we enforce health regulations are we
  up-to-date, technically competent, fair and
  effective?)

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The EPHS in English

• 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?)

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Monitor Health to Identify and Solve Community
Health Problems

• Accurate, periodic assessment of the communitys
  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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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Quiz

• Available October 1, 2006
• For practicum starting after December 2006, the
  quiz must be submitted before you can register
  for PH 9997