PANEL 1 - Assessing Information
Needs of the PH Workforce
Jocelyn Rankin, CDC - Leader
Vivian Auld, NLM - Recorder
Public Health
Outreach Forum
National Library of Medicine
Lister Hill Auditorium
Bethesda, Maryland
1. What methods are the most useful in
identifying PH workforce information and
training needs?
• Structured Focus Groups
– Composed of cross section of PH field
• Survey
– Self reported less effective
– Dependent on information needed
– Web-based surveys are too difficult for PH
• Advisory Panel - long term arrangement
– Previous project outcomes
1. What methods are the most useful in
identifying PH workforce information and
training needs?
• Direct observation of PH professionals in
order to evaluate needs (Randy Miller)
• In General
– Questions should be concrete to give people
more confidence in answering
– Ongoing over time, keep asking
2. What skills and behaviors are we expecting
to affect? What baseline measures are
needed to detect changes?
• Information seeking behaviors and skills
(model)
• Accessibility to libraries and information
resources
– Improving infrastructure
– Improving knowledge of available resources
• Address variability of Internet skills
2. What skills and behaviors are we expecting
to affect? What baseline measures are
needed to detect changes?
• Learning to find answers to questions
rather than accessing “the literature” or
using specific resources
• How to filter the over abundance of
available information
• Learning to use data warehouses and local
data sources
3. What do we know about information-related
training needs in PH? How can this be used
to improve training delivered in outreach?
• Needs are variable between groups. Don’t
assume all groups’ needs will be the same.
• System and hierarchy often inhibit transfer
of information to all areas
• Groups in need of training may not be
receptive and open to training - may not
understand why the information is valuable.
Self selected audiences are more receptive.
• Some computer phobia
3. What do we know about information-related
training needs in PH? How can this be used
to improve training delivered in outreach?
• Under connected populations - connectivity
and computers are not always available
– Regularly publicize minimum standards for
computers in advance of budget cycles
– Make purchasing appropriate computers a
requirement
– For those without appropriate computer
equipment and connections, ensure they are
well versed in use of alternate means of
accessing information
3. What do we know about information-related
training needs in PH? How can this be used
to improve training delivered in outreach?
• Access to evidence-based PH literature
• Need to consider “do it for them” model
4. Can we identify elements of public health
job functions or work environments that
affect information needs? If so, can this be
used to target outreach more effectively?
• Accessing regulations
• Use of laptops in the field - what is needed
on these systems
• Coordination of resources within
communities to facilitate finding answers
• On-site technical assistance is needed
• Differences between state and local health
department needs