scholarly journals Competency development needs of the Australian public health nutrition workforce

2003 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 839-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Public Health Nutrition ◽  
Competency Development ◽  
Questionnaire Response ◽  
Cross Sectional

AbstractObjectives:To assess factors affecting competency development of the Australian public health nutrition workforce and investigate competency development intentions, barriers and self-reported training needs.Design:Cross-sectional study using self-administered mail- or email-delivered questionnaire.Setting and subjects:Two hundred and forty practitioners working in designated community and public health nutrition positions in the Australian health system.Results:An 87% questionnaire response rate was achieved. The profile of the sample included female practitioners (95%) within the age range of 26–45 years (67%), from dietetic backgrounds (75%) and employed in state health departments as community dietitians/nutritionists (52%) or public health nutritionists (32%). Only 14% had completed higher degree qualifications but most (80%) reported an intention to do so in the future. Entry-level dietetic education was considered by most respondents (57%) to be inadequate preparation for public health nutrition practice but considered it had utility as a precursor for public health nutrition competency development because of its strong grounding in nutrition knowledge, basic research skills and problem-solving. On-the-job learning was the most prominent competency development influence reported by this workforce. Flexibility in teaching and learning approaches is needed to facilitate workforce participation in further competency development. The main competency development needs focused on analytical and policy process competencies; however, there was a general need expressed for competency development across many competency areas.Conclusions:These data provide intelligence to inform public health nutrition workforce development, particularly that relating to continued professional development amongst the existing workforce.

scholarly journals The role of mentoring in public health nutrition workforce development. Perspectives of advanced-level practitioners

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 801-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Palermo ◽  
Louise McCall
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Postgraduate Education ◽  
Career Pathways ◽  
Mentoring Relationships ◽  
Public Health Nutrition ◽  
Competency Development ◽  
Advanced Level

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the nature, role and utility of mentoring in the development of competence in advanced-level Australian public health nutritionists.DesignQualitative study using in-depth interviews.Subjects and settingEighteen advanced-level public health nutritionists working in academic and practice settings in Australia.ResultsThe attributes and career pathways of the subjects were consistent with previous findings. Dissatisfaction with clinical practice was a key reason for choosing a career in public health. Experiential learning, postgraduate education and mentoring from both peers and senior colleagues were the most significant contributors to competency development. The subjects supported mentoring as an important strategy for public health nutrition workforce development and articulated the characteristics and models important for mentoring relationships in public health nutrition.ConclusionsThe present study suggests mentoring was an important part of competency development for advanced-level public health and community nutritionists in Australia. Mentoring programmes based on experiential learning may assist in developing public health nutrition workforce competence.

scholarly journals The Nature and Quality of Australian Supermarkets’ Policies that can Impact Public Health Nutrition, and Evidence of their Practical Application: A Cross-Sectional Study

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pulker ◽  
Trapp ◽  
Scott ◽  
Pollard
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Public Health Nutrition ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Practical Applications

Improving population diets is a public health priority, and calls have been made for corporations such as supermarkets to contribute. Supermarkets hold a powerful position within the food system, and one source of power is supermarket own brand foods (SOBFs). Many of the world’s largest supermarkets have corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies that can impact public health, but little is known about their quality or practical application. This study examines the nature and quality of Australian supermarkets’ CSR policies that can impact public health nutrition, and provides evidence of practical applications for SOBFs. A content analysis of CSR policies was conducted. Evidence of supermarkets putting CSR policies into practice was derived from observational audits of 3940 SOBFs in three large exemplar supermarkets (Coles, Woolworths, IGA) in Perth, Western Australia (WA). All supermarkets had some CSR policies that could impact public health nutrition; however, over half related to sustainability, and many lacked specificity. All supermarkets sold some nutritious SOBFs, using marketing techniques that made them visible. Findings suggest Australian supermarket CSR policies are not likely to adequately contribute to improving population diets or sustainability of food systems. Setting robust and meaningful targets, and improving transparency and specificity of CSR policies, would improve the nature and quality of supermarket CSR policies and increase the likelihood of a public health benefit.

scholarly journals The public health nutrition intervention management bi-cycle: a model for training and practice improvement

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 1981-1988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Hughes ◽  
Barrie Margetts
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Nutrition Intervention ◽  
Public Health Nutrition ◽  
Competency Development ◽  
Practice Improvement ◽  
The Public ◽  
Critical Feedback ◽  
Learning Principles ◽  
Nutrition Practice

AbstractObjectiveThe present paper describes a model for public health nutrition practice designed to facilitate practice improvement and provide a step-wise approach to assist with workforce development.DesignThe bi-cycle model for public health nutrition practice has been developed based on existing cyclical models for intervention management but modified to integrate discrete capacity-building practices.SettingEducation and practice settings.SubjectsThis model will have applications for educators and practitioners.ResultsModifications to existing models have been informed by the authors’ observations and experiences as practitioners and educators, and reflect a conceptual framework with applications in workforce development and practice improvement. From a workforce development and educational perspective, the model is designed to reflect adult learning principles, exposing students to experiential, problem-solving and practical learning experiences that reflect the realities of work as a public health nutritionist. In doing so, it assists the development of competency beyond knowing to knowing how, showing how and doing. This progression of learning from knowledge to performance is critical to effective competency development for effective practice.ConclusionsPublic health nutrition practice is dynamic and varied, and models need to be adaptable and applicable to practice context to have utility. The paper serves to stimulate debate in the public health nutrition community, to encourage critical feedback about the validity, applicability and utility of this model in different practice contexts.

Disposal Practices of Unused Medications Among Patients in Public Health Centers of Dessie Town, Northeast Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-110
Author(s):  
Haile Kassahun ◽  
Dugessa Tesfaye
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Centers ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Global Challenge ◽  
Northeast Ethiopia ◽  
Unused Medications ◽  
At Home

Background: Disposal of pharmaceutical waste among patients is a global challenge especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. Improper medication disposal can lead to health problems and environmental contaminations. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess disposal practices of unused medications among patients in public health centers of Dessie town, Northeast Ethiopia. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 263 patients in four public health centers of Dessie town, Ethiopia from March to June, 2019. Face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires were used to collect data from each study subject. Results: The majority of the respondents, 224 (85.17%) had unused medications at their home during the study period. The most commonly reported disposal method in the present study was flushing down into a toilet 66 (25.09%). None of the respondents practiced returning unused medications to Pharmacy. Moreover, 85 (32.31%) of the respondents reported never disposing their medications and believed that it is acceptable to store medications at home for future use. Conclusion: In the present study, there was a high practice of keeping medications at home and most of the disposal practices were not recommended methods. In addition, most of the respondents did not get advice from pharmacists and other health care professionals on how to dispose off unused medications. Hence, there is a need for proper education and guidance of patients regarding disposal practices of unused medications.

Instagramming our way through public health communication: why and who is using it?

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Vareda ◽  
T Garcia ◽  
J Rachadell
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Healthy Lifestyles ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases

Abstract Background From disease prevention to health promotion, communication is key for Public Health (PH) practice and, according to the 9th Essential Public Health Operation its goal is to improve populations health literacy and capacity to access, understand and use information. Though social media is frequently presented as a potentially useful tool for PH communication, there is a lack of evidence about its effectiveness and impact on PH outcomes. This study researches Instagram® as a PH tool and aims to know who is using it, what content is shared on the platform and how much engagement there is. Methods This cross-sectional study regards information on 1000 Instagram® posts with the hashtags publichealth, publichealthpromotion, healthpromotion, publichealthmatters and publichealtheducation. Authors categorized post content and creators, and reviewed the number of likes and comments per post to determine engagement. Data analysis was performed on IBM SPSS® Statistics. Results The most common content categories were communicable diseases (n = 383), non-communicable diseases (n = 258) and healthy lifestyles (n = 143). Health professionals post more about communicable diseases (43,6%) and non-professionals about healthy lifestyles (36,1%). Non-professionals (n = 191) post about PH issues almost as much as health professionals (n = 220) and PH associations (n = 201). Most don't reference their sources (n = 821). Posts on communicable diseases have the most likes and comments per post (mean of 172 likes and 3,1 comments). Conclusions Half the Instagram® posts analysed in this study were made by health professionals or organizations. Communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases and healthy lifestyles were the most frequent content categories and had the most engagement. The majority of posts didn't reference their sources. Though Instagram® seems to be a potential PH communication tool, further research is needed to confirm its benefits for PH. Key messages Social media platforms like Instagram® are potentially powerful tools for PH communication. There is a need to understand the efficacy of social media as health promotion tools.

scholarly journals Evaluation of midwifery students’ learning approaches to the compulsory biochemistry course

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Funda Kosova ◽  
Nurcan Çelik ◽  
Hanife Nurseven Şimşek ◽  
Seval Cambaz Ulaş
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Deep Approach ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Professional Career ◽  
Motivation For Learning ◽  
Package Program ◽  
Research Population

AbstractObjectivesLearning approach in a certain learning process is based on the student’s intentions, behaviors, and habits according to his/her perceptions of the task of learning and determines the amount and quality of learning. The objective of this study is to evaluate the learning approaches of 1st and 4th grade midwifery students to biochemistry course and the change, if there is any, through their education.MethodsThis is an observational, cross-sectional study. The research population consisted of the voluntary students (86.47%, n:147) of the 2017–2018 season of the 1st and 4th class of Manisa Celal Bayar University, Health Science Faculty, Midwifery Department (n:170). Data were collected by using the “Introductory Information Form” and the “Learning Approach Scale”, and evaluated in the SPSS package program by performing number, percentile, mean, standard deviation, independent t test.ResultsThe mean age of the students was 20.82 ± 1.81. Over 95% of the students stated that biochemistry lesson was necessary, while 59.9% reported that their biochemistry knowledge was insufficient. Over 87% of the student expressed their belief that the content of the biochemistry classes will help them in their professional career. Mean score of deep approach for Learning Approach Scale was 34.13 ± 6.07 (Min:19.00–Max:50.00), and mean score of superficial approach for Learning Approach Scale was 26.94 ± 6.37 (Min:15.00–Max:50.00). There was a significant relation between deep approach scale score and the perception of high importance of biochemistry in the professional life (p<0.05).ConclusionsMidwifery students, who believe that biochemistry is necessary for their professional career have a higher motivation for learning biochemistry, thus perform a deeper approach to learning. In general, creating effective and dynamic educational environments that support deep learning is necessary for enhancing the learning of biochemistry.

scholarly journals Panic and Trust during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study on Immigrants in South Korea

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 199
Author(s):  
Myeong Sook Yoon ◽  
Israel Fisseha Feyissa ◽  
So-Won Suk
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Native Community ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Marginalized Groups ◽  
Local Media ◽  
Effective Public Health

In the COVID-19 pandemic, marginalized groups like migrants are disproportionately affected. As panic, fear of neglect, and mistrusting institutions in these groups are presumed to be apparent, their detachment to health services still needs to be investigated. This study comparatively analyzed the level of panic and trust between South Koreans and immigrants who are living within highly affected areas of South Korea. Mann–Whitney-U-Test and Pearson correlation showed panic is more pronounced in the Korean group while having a similar panic display pattern with the immigrants. The immigrant group appears to highly trust the Korean health system, health institutions, local media, and the local native community. Beyond conventional expectations, participant’s average panic score showed a statistically significant positive correlation with items of the trust scale, indicating a level of individual reliance amid the pandemic panic. Thus, ascertaining institutional trust and matured citizenry are identified as factors for effective public health outcomes. During such a pandemic, this study also reminded the public health needs of immigrants as secondary citizens, and presumptions of immigrants’ mistrust in such settings might not always be true.

scholarly journals Retrospective study of the distribution of doctors in municipalities of extreme poverty in Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
B L O Luizeti ◽  
E M M Massuda ◽  
L F G Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health System ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Extreme Poverty ◽  
The Public ◽  
The North ◽  
Unified Health System ◽  
Shortage Of Doctors ◽  
Demographic Distribution

Abstract In view of the national scenario of scarcity of material and human resources in public health in Brazil, the survey verified the demographics of doctors who attend the Unified Health System (SUS) in municipalities of extreme poverty. An observational, analytical and cross-sectional study was carried out, based on secondary quantitative data from the Department of Informatics of the SUS using the TABNET of December 2019. The care networks variable was restricted to infer the number of physicians who attend the SUS in extreme poverty municipalities in Brazil. Municipalities of extreme poverty are those that at least 20% of the population have a household income of up to 145 reais per capita monthly. In Brazil, there are 1526 municipalities in extreme poverty, 27.4% of the country's total municipalities. 14,907 doctors linked to SUS work in this condition, 3.19% of the total of these professionals in Brazil. There is still disproportion between regions: North concentrates 11.2% of the municipalities in extreme poverty and 8.61% of the total number of doctors; Northeast, with 61.33% of these municipalities, for 61.5% of doctors; Southeast, with 15.46% of the municipalities in this condition, has 20.6% of doctors; South concentrates 10.87% of the municipalities under discussion with 5.61% of doctors and the Midwest, with 4.87% of these municipalities, has 3.54% of doctors. Between 2009 and 2018, there was a 39% increase in the number of doctors in these locations, however, for 2019, there was a decrease of 3.89%. The medical demographic distribution in Brazil is uneven, especially in the North. There is also the vulnerability of this population in view of the observed reduction in the number of professionals between 2018 and 2019 in municipalities of extreme poverty, for political reasons. It is evident the need to restructure the health system to guarantee access to health for this population, through the attraction and fixation of doctors in needy regions in Brazil. Key messages Shortage of doctors in extreme poverty municipalities reinforces the health vulnerability of the population in Brazil. The uneven medical demography in Brazil requires restructuring in the public health system.

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