Continuing-education needs of public health educators: their perspectives

J Public Health Manag Pract. 2004 Mar-Apr;10(2):156-63. doi: 10.1097/00124784-200403000-00010.

Abstract

The objective of the study described in this article was to determine the perceived continuing-education needs of employed public health educators. A three-wave mailing of a questionnaire was sent to a national sample of 500 public health educators who were asked to rate their preparation on 41 subcompetencies. Of 299 returned surveys (63%), 149 indicated that they were not currently practicing public health educators. Thus, analysis was based on 150 respondents. Six subcompetencies were perceived by 25% or more of the respondents as topics in which they needed more training. Health educators reported a need for continuing education, focused primarily on administration and evaluation of programs and applying appropriate research principles. Furthermore, the public health educators overwhelmingly preferred to attend a conference or workshop (85%) as their method of obtaining further continuing education. Health education programs and professional organizations need to take note of the identified continuing-education needs when developing future educational programs to adequately update health educators.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Education, Continuing*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Needs Assessment
  • Professional Competence / standards*
  • Public Health / education*
  • Public Health Practice / standards*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States