Recorded presentation

Laurence Burnsed, MPH¹, Laura A. Beebe, PhD², Barbara R. Neas, PhD², and Lauri Smithee, MES, MS¹. (1) Communicable Disease Division, Oklahoma State Dept of Health, 1000 NE 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299, 405.271.4060, Laurence@health.state.ok.us, (2) Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, P.O. Box 26901, Oklahoma City, OK 73190

Background: This presentation describes an academic-practice partnership to improve the public health infrastructure. The Health Agency Training (HAT) program was developed in 1991 with Health Resources & Services Administration funding. The goal of this program is to upgrade the competence of public health, mental health, and Indian Health Service personnel in applying scientific methods of biostatistics and epidemiology. At the end of the grant-funded period, a partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) was created to sustain and institutionalize the HAT program. Methods: Through the implementation of the HAT train-the-trainer model, 10 OSDH professionals were certified as instructors for the Basic Epidemiology course. Courses were planned and offered quarterly to state and local health practitioners at regular intervals throughout Oklahoma. Descriptive information and feedback concerning the course was collected using a registration form, minute papers, and a course evaluation. Results: From June 2002 through January 2004, nine two-day Basic Epidemiology courses were provided to 147 professionals from state and local public health agencies. Participants reported a variety of educational backgrounds, less than a Bachelor’s degree (34.0%), Bachelor’s degree (46.9%), Master’s degree (17.0%), and doctorate and professional degrees (2.0%). The majority of participants (72.8%) represented public health agencies, with the remainder from mental health, Indian or tribal health centers, or community hospitals. Conclusion: The HAT program is a successful continuing education program through an academic and practice partnership. This ongoing collaboration effectively addresses the need to upgrade the skills and knowledge of the public health workforce in Oklahoma.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Describe the importance of academic-practice partnerships to address workforce development needs.
• Describe the core curriculum of a basic epidemiology program for public health personnel.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation