278870
A paradigm shift: An innovative interdisciplinary team-mentoring public health research education program
Heather Williamson, OT, MBA,
College of Public Health, Department of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Amy Green,
College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Donna Burton, Ph.D.,
College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, Department of Child and Family Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Melissa Tirotti,
College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Tom Massey, PhD,
College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, Department of Child and Family Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Bruce Lubotsky Levin, DrPH, MPH,
College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, Department of Child and Family Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Julie Baldwin, PhD,
Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Background: Evidence-based practices (EBPs) in adolescent behavioral health hold promise in addressing substance abuse and mental disorders in youth, but implementation of EBPs are not keeping pace with community needs. Typically, communication between research and services delivery is incidental. This innovative public health research education program represents a paradigm shift for research, service delivery, and public health teaching through collaborative bi-directional information sharing and knowledge building between research, education, and services delivery. This research education program co-trains current practitioners and future researchers in translational science to support implementation of EBPs utilizing blended learning, adult learning theory, and an interdisciplinary team mentoring approach. Methods: The Institute for Translational Research in Adolescent Behavioral Health is an innovative research education program designed to enhance knowledge in translational research and implementation science for multiple disciplines, including public health and behavioral health. Important features of the Institute include: 1) multi-method approach to research education which includes a blended on-line and in-person curriculum as well as a service learning capstone project; 2) interdisciplinary team mentoring approach with local academic mentors, national mentors, and community agency partner mentors; 3) multidisciplinary student teams; and 4) blended academic and community partnerships. Results: Graduate students in public health, criminology, social work, and rehabilitation and mental health counseling and representatives from community partner organizations are working in teams to develop and implement translational research projects. Conclusion: Ongoing assessments indicate that use of adult learning theory, blended learning, multidisciplinary teams, and interdisciplinary team mentoring is an innovative approach to public health education.
Learning Areas:
Other professions or practice related to public health
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health
Learning Objectives:
Describe an innovative interdisciplinary team-mentoring public health research education program focused on translational research in adolescent behavioral health.
Keyword(s): Community Research, Public Health Education
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a graduate research assistant for the Institute for Translational Research in Adolescent Behavioral Health. I assist with all aspects of the program including curriculum development, community partner outreach, scholar recruitment, marketing, and evaluation.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
