scholarly journals Strengthening Public Health in Wisconsin Through the Wisconsin Clinical Laboratory Network

2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6S-10S ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen C. Bateman ◽  
Erin J. Bowles ◽  
Erik Munson ◽  
Raymond P. Podzorski ◽  
Eric T. Beck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Outbreak Response ◽  
University Of Wisconsin ◽  
Clinical Laboratories ◽  
Laboratory Network ◽  
Technical Advisory Group ◽  
The University

The Wisconsin Clinical Laboratory Network (WCLN) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is a partnership of 138 clinical and public health laboratories (as of February 2019) coordinated by the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene. This article describes the WCLN, its current activities, and lessons learned through this partnership. A laboratory technical advisory group, which consists of representatives from clinical laboratories, provides clinical laboratory perspective to the WCLN and fosters communication among laboratories. Activities and resources available through the WCLN include annual regional meetings, annual technical workshops, webinars, an email listserv, laboratory informational messages, in-person visits by a WCLN coordinator to clinical laboratories, and laboratory-based surveillance data and summaries distributed by the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene. One challenge to maintaining the WCLN is securing continual funding for network activities. Key lessons learned from this partnership of more than 20 years include the importance of in-person meetings, the clinical perspective of the laboratory technical advisory group, and providing activities and resources to clinical laboratories to foster sharing of data and clinical specimens for public health surveillance and outbreak response.

Methodology for assessment of public health preparedness and response synergies between institutional authorities and the community

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel H. de Vries ◽  
John Kinsman ◽  
Judit Takacs ◽  
Svetla Tsolova ◽  
Massimo Ciotti
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Outbreak Response ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Rich Data

Abstract Background: This paper describes a participatory methodology that supports investigation of the collaboration between communities affected by infectious disease outbreak events and relevant official institutions. The core principle underlying the methodology is the recognition that synergistic relationships, characterised by mutual trust and respect, between affected communities and official institutions provide the most effective means of addressing outbreak situations. Methods: The methodological approach and lessons learned were derived from four qualitative case studies including (i) two tick-borne disease events: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Spain, and tick-borne encephalitis in the Netherlands (2016); and (ii) two outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis (norovirus in Iceland, 2017, and verocytotoxin-producingEscherichia coli [VTEC] in Ireland, 2018). These studies were conducted in collaboration with the respective national public health authorities in the affected countries by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Results: An after-event qualitative case study approach was taken using mixed methods. Lessons highlight the critical importance of collaborating with national focal points during preparation and planning, and interviewer reflexivity during fieldwork. Field work for each case study was conducted over one working week, which although limiting the number of individuals and institutions involved, still allowed for rich data collection due to the close collaboration with local authorities. The analysis focused on the specific actions undertaken by the participating countries’ public health and other authorities in relation to community engagement, as well as the view from the perspective of the community. Conclusions: The overall objective of the assessment to identify synergies between institutional decision-making bodies and community actors and networks before, during and after an outbreak response to a given public health emergency. The methodology is generic and could be applied to a range of public health emergencies, zoonotic or otherwise. The methodology emphasises reflexivity among fieldworkers, a relatively short time needed for data collection, potential generalisability of findings, insider-outsider perspectives, politically sensitive findings, and how to deal with ethical and language issues.

A US metropolitan county health department’s response to a measles outbreak in a childcare facility – challenges faced and lessons learned

2020 ◽  
pp. 175791392095520
Author(s):  
Diane Meyer ◽  
Marc Trotochaud ◽  
Lisa Ferguson ◽  
Jennifer Vines ◽  
Russell Barlow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Outbreak Response ◽  
Public Health Community ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Measles Outbreak ◽  
Health Community ◽  
Childcare Facility ◽  
Measles Outbreaks

Aims: In June 2018, the Multnomah County Health Department located in Portland, Oregon, US, responded to a measles exposure in a local childcare facility. This analysis describes lessons learned and challenges encountered during this measles response that may inform public health policy and help other local public health authorities prepare for measles outbreaks. These lessons will become increasingly important as measles cases continue to increase in both the US and abroad. Methods: A semi-structured videoconference interview was conducted with nine health department staff who were directly involved in the health department’s response to the measles outbreak. Interview notes were iteratively discussed between all authors to identify those outbreak response challenges and lessons learned that were generalizable to the broader public health community. Results: Some of the key challenges and lessons learned included the need for increased provider recognition and reporting of measles cases, difficulty in determining which staff and children to exclude from attending daycare during the 21-day postexposure monitoring period, determining who would be prioritized to receive immunoglobulin, and the need for childcare staff vaccine status requirements. Conclusion: Lessons from this response highlight important considerations for public health practitioners and policy makers. Given the relative severity of measles and the potential for spread in facilities that serve infants and young children, the public health community must continue to address key gaps through planning and policy.

scholarly journals THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON’S MASTER OF ENGINEERING IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (MEPP) PROGRAM: THE ROAD TO QUALITY ONLINE GRADUATE ENGINEERING EDUCATION

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne P. Pferdehirt ◽  
Thomas W. Smith ◽  
Karen R. Al-Ashkar
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Degree Program ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Course Content ◽  
The Road ◽  
University Of Wisconsin ◽  
Design Integration ◽  
Campus Residency ◽  
The University

This case study explores several key design strategies behind the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Master of Engineering in Professional Practice (MEPP) program. Since its full-scale launch in 1999, this demanding graduate engineering degree program has achieved a graduation rate of more than 99% and has received major awards for instructional quality from the Sloan Consortium, the U.S. Distance Learning Association, and the University Continuing Education Association. This paper examines several key elements of the program’s design and practical lessons learned through the program’s first six years, during which 140 students have graduated from the two-year degree program. Distinctive elements of the program include: the program’s cohort design; integration of weekly Webconferencing with asynchronous Web-based tools; optimization of course content and format for experienced, mid-career adults; and an annual on-campus residency. Program details are available at http://mepp.engr.wisc.edu.

scholarly journals Clinical laboratories in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic: An analysis of experiences in Serbia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 286-294
Author(s):  
Sanja Stanković ◽  
Milika Ašanin
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Recent History ◽  
Clinical Laboratories ◽  
Clinical Center ◽  
Health Threats ◽  
The Many ◽  
The University

The COVID-19 pandemic represents one of the most serious public health threats that our world has faced in recent history. Clinical laboratories play a significant role in the global fight against this pandemic. This paper is based on the experiences of the Center for Medical Biochemistry of the University Clinical Center of Serbia. Using mixed methods research, the study sheds light on the many challenges that the Center has been facing during the pandemic, it outlines the implementation of change, and makes recommendations for functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the post-COVID era.

eStout: a digital learning environment program case study

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 242-249
Author(s):  
Phillip Stoeklen ◽  
Justin J. Sullivan ◽  
M. Justin Miller ◽  
Meridith Drzakowski ◽  
Sasha King
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Digital Learning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Learning Environment ◽  
University Of Wisconsin ◽  
Faculty Concerns ◽  
Faculty Surveys ◽  
The University

Purpose This paper aims to discuss the evolution of a digital learning environment in higher education as a result of ongoing data collection and evaluation. Design/methodology/approach The manuscript is based on a digital learning environment intervention at the University of Wisconsin-Stout and is informed by evaluation data collected from student and faculty surveys annually between 2002 and 2016. Survey themes changed annually based on student/faculty concerns and interests, and program management used this feedback to make modifications to program scope and offerings. Findings The digital learning environment at the University of Wisconsin-Stout has been effective in providing faculty and students with the tools they need to be successful. This success is largely due to the ongoing commitment to data collection and evaluation at the University of Wisconsin-Stout and has ensured that the digital learning environment stays modern and adaptive. Originality/value This manuscript is the culmination of 15 years of ongoing evaluation practice and thus provides valuable best practices and lessons learned for educators/educational institutions hoping to improve or create their own digital learning environment.

The Activist Lab and the MOULA Program

2020 ◽  
pp. 152483992092967
Author(s):  
Karen D. Liller ◽  
Yingwei Yang ◽  
Andrew Lim
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Foster Care System ◽  
Future Success ◽  
Public Health Advocacy ◽  
Guardian Ad Litem ◽  
Local Agencies ◽  
The University ◽  
Critical Public Health

The Activist Lab at the University of South Florida College of Public Health is an exciting initiative that serves to build interdisciplinary advocacy and leadership skills for public health students and the community. The Lab is led by a very active student advisory group that with the Director develops the advocacy strategies and focus areas for change. The Activist Lab’s More Opportunities to Use Learned Advocacy, or MOULA program, allows students to work side by side with local agencies to support their advocacy efforts. A recent student works with the local Guardian ad Litem program to determine needs and services for children in the foster care system who have also been trafficked. The student is working with attorneys, social workers, families, advocates, and others so that the best needs of the children are met. Students must apply and be selected for the MOULA program based on their responses as to how they could meet the agency’s needs. The best responses and matches with the agencies are then determined. Students who participate in MOULA do midyear and final-year reports, evaluate their experiences, are evaluated by the agency mentor, develop a presentation on their experiences, and are interviewed on one of the Activist Lab podcast episodes. The Activist Lab and initiatives such as MOULA provide an opportunity for students to learn and advance critical public health advocacy skills and will help strengthen these skills for future success.

scholarly journals Lessons Learned from a Writing to Learn Program for Public Health Students at the University of Tokyo

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 238212052110320
Author(s):  
Tsuyoshi Okuhara ◽  
Hiroko Okada ◽  
Takahiro Kiuchi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Writing To Learn ◽  
Master Of Public Health ◽  
Main Target ◽  
State Of Mind ◽  
Curse Of Knowledge ◽  
The University ◽  
Learn Approach

We have taught writing for public health to students completing a Master of Public Health since 2016 in Japan. We adopted a writing-to-learn approach and assigned work to students to write health materials that encourage recipients to perform health behaviors (eg, drafting a poster to encourage lay audiences to adopt preventive behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic). We collected students’ work assignments and products from 2016 to 2020 and reviewed them to identify distinctive trends common to all years. We found that there was a curse of knowledge (ie, difficulties to imagine the state of mind of not knowing when knowing something) among students. Students strongly embraced the adage “knowledge is power” and underestimated the difficulties lay audiences face. Their writing was somewhat dogmatic, whereby experts imparted privileged knowledge to ignorant non-experts. However, it is well known that merely imparting knowledge often does not work to educate lay audiences about making better decisions. Debiasing this curse of knowledge among students will be the main target of our writing education.

Tearing Down the Silos: An Interdisciplinary, Practice-Based Approach to Graduate School Education

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (S1) ◽  
pp. 69-75
Author(s):  
Elizabeth (Bjerke) Van Nostrand
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Graduate School ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Health Practice ◽  
Allegheny County ◽  
Interdisciplinary Practice ◽  
County Health Department ◽  
The University

“Law in Public Health Practice” is an interdisciplinary, practice-based course in which the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public Health, its School of Law, and the Allegheny County Health Department work collaboratively to identify an issue needing the expertise of multiple disciplines. For the first iteration, students in over four disciplines explored the possible regulation of tattoo parlors. The lessons learned are adaptable to any topic that engages students in more than one discipline to address real-world public health problems.

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