Continuing Educational Needs of APHA Members Within the Professional Public Health Workforce

To examine the continuing education needs of and method of course delivery for American Public Health Association (APHA) members. The APHA Education Board developed a list of 37 potential continuing education courses, 20 of which were linked to course competencies. An electronic survey of 22 104 APH...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of public health management and practice 2014-09, Vol.20 (5), p.530-533
Main Authors: Neuberger, John S., Montes, J. Henry, Woodhouse, Carolyn (Lynn), Nazir, Niaman, Ferebee, Annette
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Curriculum
Education, Continuing
Female
Health technology assessment
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Needs Assessment
Public Health - education
Research Brief Report
United States
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Summary:To examine the continuing education needs of and method of course delivery for American Public Health Association (APHA) members. The APHA Education Board developed a list of 37 potential continuing education courses, 20 of which were linked to course competencies. An electronic survey of 22 104 APHA members was conducted to determine members' priorities. Survey data included age, gender, race/ethnicity, highest academic degree obtained, workplace setting, educational needs, and preferred method of course delivery. Data were primarily analyzed using descriptive statistics. Demographic data, educational needs, and preferred method of course delivery. Respondents numbered 5058, with 3836 (75.8%) interested in continuing education. For those indicating an interest, approximately 6 course areas per person were identified. A number of specific course areas were emphasized, including Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills and Policy Development and Program Planning. More than 50% of respondents favored obtaining courses using an online or computer-based format. Of the 24% uninterested in continuing education, 78% were in the age range of 25 to 65 years. Although this study identified continuing education needs of a wide cross section of APHA members, the response rate was low. Additional surveys should be conducted periodically to update course offerings and identify gaps in workforce training. Reasons for any disinterest in continuing education in public health should be explored.
ISSN:1078-4659
1550-5022
DOI:10.1097/PHH.0b013e3182a9c0f5