An Exploratory Study of the Perceived Need for and Acceptability of a Healthy Frozen Meal Product Among Rural Corner Store Customers in North Carolina.

This pilot study assesses barriers to obtaining healthy affordable food and the early-stage acceptability of a novel subsidized healthy frozen meal product designed to address food insecurity and nutritional status among corner store customers in rural North Carolina. A convenience sample of 50 customers were surveyed to examine the perceived availability of healthy food options, barriers to maintaining healthy diets, food shopping and consumption habits, and reception of the product. Findings confirmed barriers to obtaining healthy foods that the product seeks to address, the validity of corner stores as the intervention site, and approval of the product's taste and concept.

Developing State Leadership in Maternal and Child Health: Process Evaluation Findings from a Work-Based Learning Model for Leadership Development.

OBJECTIVES: Since 2013 the MCH Bureau has supported the National MCH Workforce Development Center to strengthen the Title V MCH workforce. This article describes the Center's Cohort Program and lessons learned about work-based learning, instruction, and coaching. DESCRIPTION: The Cohort Program is a leadership development program that enrolls state-level teams for skill development and work-based learning to address a self-identified challenge in their state. Teams attend a Learning Institute that teaches concepts, skills, and practical tools in systems integration; change management and adaptive leadership; and evidence-based decision-making and implementation. Teams then work back home on their challenges, aided by coaching. The Program's goals are for teams to expand and use their skills to address their challenge, and that teams would strengthen programs, organizations, and policies, use their skills to address other challenges, and ultimately improve MCH outcomes. METHODS: This process evaluation is based on evaluation forms completed by attendees at the three-day Learning Institute; six-month follow-up interviews with team leaders; and a modified focus group with staff. RESULTS: Participants and staff believe the Cohort Program effectively merges a practical skill-based curriculum, work-based learning in teams, and coaching. The Learning Institute provides a foundation of skills and tools, strengthens the team's relationship with their coach, and builds the team. The work-based learning period provides structure, accountability, and a "practice space" for teams to apply the Cohort Program's skills and tools to address their challenge. In this period, teams deepen collaborations and often add partners. The coach provides accessible and tailored guidance in teamwork and skill application. These dimensions helped teams in develop skills and address state-level MCH challenges. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Continuing professional development programs can help leaders learn to address complex state-level MCH challenges through integrated classroom-based skills development, work-based learning on state challenges, and tailored coaching.

Readying the Applied Epidemiology Workforce for Emerging Areas of Public Health Practice.

CONTEXT: Epidemiologists are key professionals within the public health workforce. As the role of public health agencies changes over time, epidemiologists will need to adapt and develop new skill sets to work in emerging areas of (public health) practice (EAoPs), which are areas of practice that are new or are growing in interest and use. OBJECTIVE: This mixed-methods research study sought to explore the role and readiness of state health department epidemiologists in the United States to work in EAoPs. DESIGN: Three phases of data collection and analysis were conducted including secondary analysis of the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey, a survey of the designated state epidemiologist in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and focus groups with early-, mid-, and senior-career epidemiologists working in state health departments. SETTING: Fifty state health departments and the District of Columbia. PARTICIPANTS: Epidemiologists working in state health departments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Identification of EAoPs relevant to epidemiologists, the role of epidemiologists in these EAoPs, and readiness of epidemiologists to work in EAoPs. RESULTS: Participant state health department epidemiologists indicated that the studied EAoPs were important to their work and that epidemiologists have some role in them. Key facilitators identified to working in EAoPs included supportive organizational strategy and leadership, dedicated time for training and work, cross-training across programs, and the development of crosscutting skills. CONCLUSIONS: There is much opportunity for epidemiologists to be more engaged in current EAoPs. Not only can epidemiologists supply relevant data but they can also bring skills and expertise to help improve the overall success of population health improvement work. Workforce development strategies should be implemented to ensure a nimble epidemiology workforce that can readily adapt to the needs of future public health practice.

Use of Job Classifications, Career Ladders, and the Applied Epidemiology Competencies to Support Recruitment, Retention, and Practice of State Health Department Epidemiologists.

CONTEXT: State health departments report that recruitment and retention of qualified epidemiologists is a significant challenge to ensuring epidemiology capacity to support essential public health services. OBJECTIVE: To collect information on the use of epidemiology job classifications, career ladders, and professional competencies in state health departments to inform workforce development activities that improve epidemiology capacity. DESIGN: Electronic survey of the designated state epidemiologist. SETTING: Fifty state health departments and the District of Columbia. PARTICIPANTS: State epidemiologists working in state health departments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Use and perceived benefit of epidemiology job classifications, career ladders, and professional competencies. RESULTS: All 50 states and the District of Columbia responded to the survey. Most state health departments reported having epidemiology-specific job classifications (n = 44, 90%) and career ladders (n = 36, 71%) in place. State epidemiologists strongly agreed or agreed that having an epidemiology-specific classification positively contributed to recruitment (n = 37, 84%) and retention (n = 29, 66%) of epidemiologists in their agency. State epidemiologists strongly agreed or agreed that having an epidemiology-specific career ladder positively contributed to recruitment (n = 24, 69%) and retention (n = 23, 66%) of epidemiologists in their agency. Only 10 (29%) state epidemiologists reported using the applied epidemiology competencies to develop or revise their jurisdiction's epidemiology career ladder. CONCLUSIONS: State health departments should implement well-maintained epidemiology-specific job classifications and career ladders that are based on current epidemiology competencies. Career ladders should be supported with opportunities for competency-based training to support career progression.

Succession Planning and Management Practice in Washington State Local Public Health Agencies.

CONTEXT: Turnover of top local public health officials is expected to be great, with 23% being 60 years of age or older, and another 42% being 50 to 59 years of age. Yet, we know little about the use of succession planning in public health agencies. OBJECTIVE: Describe succession planning practices in local public health agencies. DESIGN: We conducted a Web-based, cross-sectional survey of succession planning practices and followed the career paths of public health officials for 40 months. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The top local public health officials from Washington State's 35 local governmental public health agencies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Twenty-five succession planning best practices. RESULTS: All 35 agencies responded, resulting in a 100% response rate. Our study found evidence of succession planning practices in Washington State local public health agencies: 85% of agencies selected high-performing high potential employees for development, 76% sent them to formal technical and management/leadership training, 70% used cross-functional team projects, and 67% used stretch assignments to develop their employees. Impetuses to implement succession planning were discovering that large percentages of employees were able to retire soon and that national accreditation requires workforce development plans. Barriers to implementing succession planning included other competing demands for time, belief that the agency's workforce was too small for a formal program, and concerns that there would be union barriers. In 2012, 50% of the officials surveyed said that it would be at least possible that they would leave their current jobs within 5 years. Forty months later, 12 (34%) had left their positions. CONCLUSIONS: We were encouraged by the level of succession planning in Washington State and recommend creating a greater sense of urgency by focusing on agency retirement profiles and emphasizing the need for workforce development plans for accreditation. Developing the public health leaders of tomorrow is too important to be left to chance.

Fostering intentional interdisciplinary leadership in developmental disabilities: the North Carolina LEND experience.

This study describes the effects of interdisciplinary leadership training on a retrospective cohort (2001-2009) of the University of North Carolina MCH Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (UNC-CH LEND) program, including LEND graduates who were selected to participate in a focused Interdisciplinary Leadership Development Program (ILDP) in addition to their LEND training. Specifically, the study examined graduates' reports of the relationship between LEND training and their attitudes/beliefs about interdisciplinary practice, as well as their reported use of interdisciplinary skills in their post-fellowship practice settings. Using a post-test design, participants in the LEND and ILDP programs were contacted to complete an on-line survey. Using a Conceptual Model guided by EvaluLEAD, respondents were asked to rate the influence of the UNC-LEND training program on their attitudes/beliefs and skills using a 5-point Likert scale, as well as through open-ended descriptions. The 49 LEND respondents represented a 56% overall response rate from years 2001-2009. ILDP participants reported greater agreement with interdisciplinary attitudes/beliefs and more frequent use of interdisciplinary skills than did the non-participants. Graduates of LEND as well as ILDP reported the influence of training through a range of qualitative responses. Response examples highlight the influence of LEND training to promote outcomes at the individual, organizational and systems level. Findings from this study illustrate that MCHB funded LEND training has a strong influence on the future employment and interdisciplinary practices of graduates for the MCH workforce as well as services for individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and systems of care.

An Environmental Scan and Qualitative Inquiry of Cancer Patient Navigation Services in North Carolina.

Background and Objectives: Patient navigation services reduce barriers to accessing cancer care and lead to improved outcomes for patients. North Carolina (NC) has thousands of cancer patients seeking cancer care services each year. We sought to complete a digital environmental scan and qualitative inquiry of cancer patient navigation services throughout the state to better inform patients, hospitals administrators, and state officials about the current state of patient navigation programs for cancer patients throughout NC. Methods: For seven cancer hospitals in NC, two steps were used: an environmental scan of publicly available information on the hospitals' websites about navigation services, and key informant interviews with navigation staff at each site. Results: The website scans revealed information about navigation services was incomplete. Each hospital had a page dedicated to cancer navigation, but many did not outline the specific services available to patients. Interviews revealed that navigation services are available to cancer patients across diagnoses, although only a subset of patients receive services. Cancer navigators reported that their work includes care coordination, patient advocacy, emotional support, and addressing non-medical barriers to health care access (transportation, finances, childcare, etc.). Each navigation service had a unique configuration and referral pattern. Conclusions: Cancer hospitals throughout NC are working to address barriers to care commonly faced by patients, with some programs offering more robust services compared to others. Hospitals would benefit from updating their websites at regular intervals to fully report the services available to patients through their programs, including direct and clear patient navigation contact methods.

Effects of interdisciplinary training on MCH professionals, organizations and systems.

We studied the effects of the Interdisciplinary Leadership Development Program (ILDP) on MCH trainees from five MCHB-funded training programs at the UNC-Chapel Hill from the years 2001-2008. Specifically, we examined attitudes/beliefs about interdisciplinary practice and the frequency of use of interdisciplinary skills; identified effects of interdisciplinary training on career choices; and, examined the ways in which graduates used their interdisciplinary skills to effect change in MCH organizations and systems, up to 8 years after completion of training. Using a post-test design, participants in the ILDP were contacted to complete a web-based survey. Non-participating LEND and public health graduates were recruited for comparison. Guided by EvaluLEAD, we designed questions that asked graduates to rate the influence of their programs on their attitudes/beliefs and skills (on 5-point Likert scales), and to describe those influences in some detail in open-ended questions. The 208 respondents represented 59.6 % of the graduates from 2001 through 2008. Model-predicted mean levels of frequency of use of interdisciplinary skilIs was associated with ILDP participation (p = 0.008) and nearly so for interdisciplinary attitudes/beliefs (p = 0.067). There is an association between four domains of systems changes and frequency of skill use: develop/improve a program (3.24 vs. 2.74, p < 0.0001); improve the way an organization works (3.31 vs. 2.88, p < 0.0001); develop/improve a partnership (3.22 vs. 2.83, p < 0.0003); and, develop a policy (3.32 vs. 2.98, p < 0.0013). Graduates used interdisciplinary training to improve outcomes for families and to effect change in MCH systems. MCH leaders should disseminate, more broadly, rigorous assessments of the training intended to develop leadership competencies that underpin effective interdisciplinary practice.

Looking at graduates of Title V MCHB-funded training programs through the lens of the MCH pyramid.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the distribution of professional responsibilities as reflected in each level of the MCH Pyramid for 208 graduates of five Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB)-funded training programs-Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities, nutrition, pediatric dentistry, public health, and social work-at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. METHODS: Graduates completed a web-based survey, 1-8 years after graduation. For each program, we constructed means of the reported percentages of total work time spent in infrastructure-building, population-based, enabling, and direct health care services. RESULTS: Although generally consistent with the goals of the training programs, the percentages of time spent in each level of the Pyramid varied substantially among the five programs. For example, for a clinically focused program like pediatric dentistry, 80.2 % of time is spent in direct care services in contrast to 14.8 % for public health graduates. For each program, however, graduates report responsibilities among the different levels of the Pyramid. CONCLUSIONS: Reporting job responsibilities within the MCH Pyramid provides a more informative picture of the contributions of training program graduates than do conventional metrics such as institutional or agency appointments. The fact that graduates from all five programs engage multiple roles is consistent with the MCHB workforce training goal to develop leaders in the field of MCH. Given the central role of the MCH Pyramid in planning and reporting for the MCH Services Block Grant, MCH training programs should include metrics such as graduates' roles according to the MCH Pyramid to assure that training goals are more closely aligned with workforce needs.

Information-seeking behaviors and other factors contributing to successful implementation of evidence-based practices in local health departments.

The objective of this article was to describe factors that contribute to successful translation of science into evidence-based practices and their implementation in public health practice agencies, based on a review of the literature and evidence from a series of case studies. The case studies involved structured interviews with key informants in 4 health departments and with 4 corresponding partners from academic institutions. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, coded by 2 independent, trained coders, using a standard codebook. A thematic analysis of codes was conducted. Coding was entered into Atlas TI software for further analysis. Results from the literature review indicated that only approximately half of programs implemented in state and local health departments were evidence based. Lack of time, inadequate funding, and absence of cultural and managerial support-including incentives-are among the most commonly cited barriers to implementing evidence-based practices. Findings from the case studies suggest that these health departments, successful in implementing evidence-based practices, have strong relationships and good communication channels established with their academic partner(s). There is strong leadership engagement from within the health department and in the academic institution. Implementation of evidence-based programs was most often related to high priority community needs and the availability of resources to address these needs. The practice agencies operate with a culture of quality improvement throughout the agency. Information technology, training, how the interventions are bundled, including their complexity and ability to be customized and resource requirements are all fruitful avenues for further research.

An evaluation of the National Public Health Leadership Institute--1991-2006: part I. Developing individual leaders.

CONTEXT: Public health leadership development programs are widely employed to strengthen leaders and leadership networks and ultimately agencies and systems. The year-long National Public Health Leadership Institute's (PHLI) goals are to develop the capacity of individual leaders and networks of leaders so that both can lead improvement in public health systems, infrastructure, and population health. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of PHLI on individual graduates using data collected from the first 15 cohorts. PARTICIPANTS: Between 1992 and 2006, PHLI graduated 806 senior leaders from governmental agencies, academia, health care, associations, nonprofit organizations, foundations, and other organizations. Of 646 graduates located, 393 (61%) responded to a survey, for an overall response rate of 49% (393/806). INTERVENTION: PHLI has included retreats; readings, conference calls, and webinars; assessments, feedback, and coaching; and action learning projects, in which graduates apply concepts to a work challenge aided by peers and a coach. METHODS: A survey of all graduates and interviews of 34 graduates and one other key informant. RESULTS: PHLI improved graduates' understanding, skills, and self-awareness, strengthened many graduates' connections to a network of leaders, and significantly increased graduates' voluntary leadership activities at local, state, and national levels (P < .001). Deeper and wider network connections shaped graduates' sense of "belonging" to the national cadre of public health leaders, provided access to supportive peers and ideas, and bolstered confidence and interest in taking on leadership work. Nearly all graduates remained in public health. Some partially attributed to PHLI their promotions into more senior positions. CONCLUSION: Leadership development programs can strengthen and sustain their impact by cultivating sustained "communities of practice" that provide ongoing support for skill development and innovative practice. Sponsors can fruitfully view leadership development as a long-term investment in individuals and networks within organizations or fields of practice.

An evaluation of the National Public Health Leadership Institute--1991-2006: part II. Strengthening public health leadership networks, systems, and infrastructure.

CONTEXT: The year-long National Public Health Leadership Institute's (PHLI) goals are to develop the capacity of individual leaders and networks of leaders so that both can lead improvements in public health systems, infrastructure, and population health. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate PHLI's impact on networks, systems, and infrastructure. PARTICIPANTS: Senior leaders from government, health care, associations, and other organizations who graduated from PHLI between 1992 and 2006. INTERVENTION: Retreats; readings, conference calls, and webinars; personal assessments, feedback, and coaching; and action learning projects. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey sent in 2007 to all leaders from the program's first 15 cohorts. Between 1992 and 2006, PHLI graduated 806 leaders. Of the 646 graduates located, 393 (61%) responded, for an overall response rate of 49% (393/806). Telephone interviews of 35 key informants were also conducted. RESULTS: Graduates fostered changes in systems, policies, organizations, and programs and frequently described these changes as resulting from their work as or with networks. Many graduates formed an informal national network of "thought leaders" and volunteered with professional associations to help in creating methods for improving systems and infrastructure. At the state level, graduates worked as informal networks and with associations to restructure services, reorganize agencies, catalyze new laws, and develop programs. Locally, graduates developed coalitions, fostered new laws, and improved programs, among other changes. CONCLUSION: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's multiyear sponsorship of a national program fostered national networks among "thought leaders" who helped to lead the development and diffusion of numerous innovations. Public health leadership development program sponsors should foster collaborative leadership by engaging leaders in systems thinking, team leadership, dialogue, conflict resolution, and negotiation, recommend using networks for sustained personal and system development, and link leaders to networks and associations. Networks provide the collective creativity and broad support needed to enact system and infrastructure changes.

Family Perceptions of Palliative Care and Communication in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

Few data exist on palliative care for trauma and acute care surgery patients. This pilot study evaluated family perceptions and experiences around palliative care in a surgical intensive care unit (SICU) via mixed methods interviews conducted from February 1, 2020, to March 5, 2020, with 5 families of patients in the SICU. Families emphasized the importance of clear, honest communication, and inclusiveness in decision-making. Many interviewees were unable to recall whether goals-of-care discussions had occurred, and most lacked understanding of the patients' illnesses. This study highlights the significance of frequent communication and goals-of-care discussions in the SICU.

The competence of village clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in rural China: A nationally representative assessment.

BACKGROUND: While strengthening primary care quality is key to China's health system reforms, evidence to guide this work has been limited, particularly for rural areas. This study provides the first nationally-representative assessment of village doctors' competence in diagnosing and managing presumptive heart disease. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of village clinics was conducted across five provinces. We presented standardized clinical vignettes to evaluate clinicians' competence in diagnosing and managing unstable angina. Enumerators accompanying mock patients documented the interaction, including questions, physical examinations, diagnoses, and management options provided by the doctor. We measured diagnostic process competence as adherence to "recommended" questions and examinations based on national clinical practice guidelines, diagnostic competence according to whether clinicians provided a correct diagnosis, and management as correct medication and/or referral. Management was assessed twice: following clinicians' own diagnoses determined through questioning and examinations, and after enumerators provided doctors with the correct diagnosis. FINDINGS: Clinicians completed 26% (95% CI 24% to 28%) of recommended diagnostic questions and examinations; 20% (14% to 27%) arrived at a correct diagnosis. Rates of correct management were 43% (35% to 51%) following clinicians' own diagnosis and 51% (43% to 59%) after being given the correct diagnosis. When given the correct diagnosis and only asked to provide treatment, clinicians prescribed 82% fewer potentially harmful medications than in treatments based on their own (potentially incorrect) diagnosis. INTERPRETATION: The ability of village doctors to diagnose a textbook case of unstable angina is limited. Deficits in diagnostic competence led to low rates of correct management.

Eliciting vulnerable patients' preferences regarding colorectal cancer screening: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Patient preferences are important to consider in the decision-making process for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Vulnerable populations, such as racial/ethnic minorities and low-income, veteran, and rural populations, exhibit lower screening uptake. This systematic review summarizes the existing literature on vulnerable patient populations' preferences regarding CRC screening. METHODS: We searched the CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for articles published between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2017. We screened studies for eligibility and systematically abstracted and compared study designs and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 43 articles met the inclusion criteria, out of 2,106 articles found in our search. These 43 articles were organized by the primary sub-population(s) whose preferences were reported: 27 report on preferences among racial/ethnic minorities, eight among low-income groups, six among veterans, and two among rural populations. The majority of studies (n=34) focused on preferences related to test modality. No single test modality was overwhelmingly supported by all sub-populations, although veterans seemed to prefer colonoscopy. Test attributes such as accuracy, sensitivity, cost, and convenience were also noted as important features. Furthermore, a preference for shared decision-making between vulnerable patients and providers was found. CONCLUSION: The heterogeneity in study design, populations, and outcomes of the selected studies revealed a wide spectrum of CRC screening preferences within vulnerable populations. More decision aids and discrete choice experiments that focus on vulnerable populations are needed to gain a more nuanced understanding of how vulnerable populations weigh particular features of screening methods. Improved CRC screening rates may be achieved through the alignment of vulnerable populations' preferences with screening program design and provider practices. Collaborative decision-making between providers and vulnerable patients in preventive care decisions may also be important.

Management academy for public health: creating entrepreneurial managers.

The Management Academy for Public Health develops public health managers' management skills. Ultimately, the program aims to develop civic entrepreneurs who can improve the efficiency and the effectiveness of their organizations. With help from a coach, teams write public health business plans to meet needs in their communities. An external evaluation found that 119 teams trained during the first 3 years of the program generated more than $6 million in enhanced revenue-including grants, contracts, and fees through their business plans--from $2 million in program funding. Approximately 38% of the teams expected to generate revenue from an academy business plan or a spin-off plan. Action-learning methods can help midcareer managers transfer their training to the workplace and build entrepreneurial skills.

PREVENT: a program of the National Training Initiative on Injury and Violence Prevention.

Training practitioners to use evidence-based approaches to the primary prevention of violence is challenging as a result of the dearth of well-evaluated intervention programs and the lack of familiarity of some practitioners in drawing critically on existing literature. An element of the National Training Initiative in Injury and Violence Prevention, the PREVENT (Preventing Violence Through Education, Networking, and Technical Assistance) program began in late 2003 to train practitioners to address multiple types of violence by encouraging more widespread use of evidence-based approaches to primary prevention. It is intended to reach practitioners involved in addressing violence against women, sexual violence, child maltreatment, youth violence, and suicide in varied community settings. The program uses a combination of varied types of face-to-face training and distance learning coupled with opportunities for networking and technical assistance. Ultimately the program intends to stimulate and facilitate changes in individual, organizational, and cultural awareness and practices fostering primary prevention of violence. The project employs formative, process, and impact evaluation techniques aimed at improving delivery of the training as well as tracking changes in individual and organizations.

Impact studies in continuing education for health professions: update.

INTRODUCTION: This article critiques the questions asked and methods used in research syntheses in continuing education (CE) in the health professions, summarizes the findings of the syntheses, and makes recommendations for future CE research and practice. METHODS: We identified 15 research syntheses published after 1993 in which primary CE studies were reviewed and the performance (behavior) of health professionals and/or patient health outcomes were examined. RESULTS: The syntheses were categorized by the research questions they asked using a wave metaphor. Wave One (n = 3) syntheses sought to establish a general descriptive causal connection between CE and impact variables, asking, "Is CE effective, and for what outcomes?" Wave Two syntheses (n = 12) sought to explain the relationship between CE and impacts by identifying causal moderators, asking, "What kinds of CE are effective?" DISCUSSION: Wave One findings confirm previous research that CE can improve knowledge, skills, attitudes, behavior, and patient health outcomes. Wave Two syntheses show that CE, which is ongoing, interactive, contextually relevant, and based on needs assessment, can improve knowledge, skills, attitudes, behavior, and health care outcomes. The most important implication of the present review is that there are differential impacts of CE programs, and the reasons for those impacts cannot be fully understood unless the context of the program is considered.