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