Changes in Cancer Screening Knowledge Among a Prospective Cohort of Spanish-Speaking Hispanic Community Outreach Event Participants in Florida and Puerto Rico.

The current study examined cancer prevention and early detection awareness (pre-workshop) and changes in knowledge (from pre- to post-workshop) among Hispanic/Latino (H/L) community members who participated in Spanish-language educational outreach events in Puerto Rico (PR) and Florida (FL). Spanish-language educational outreach events were comprised of an educational session lasting approximately 45-60 min and were delivered to groups in rural and urban community settings by a single trained community health educator (CHE). The research team assessed sociodemographic characteristics, personal and familial cancer health history, as well as awareness and knowledge (pre-test) of a range of cancer prevention and screening topics. Following the presentation, participants completed a post-test knowledge survey which also measured likelihood of engaging in cancer screening, cancer preventive behaviors, and cancer research as a result of information presented during the session. Change in the average knowledge score was evaluated using a paired samples t-test. Post-session likelihood of completing cancer screening and preventive behaviors and engaging in cancer research were examined using descriptive statistics and group/site comparisons. The percentage reporting awareness of screening procedures ranged from 33% (PSA test) to 79% (mammogram). H/L in PR reported higher percentage of stool blood test awareness when compared to H/L in FL (χ2(1)= 19.20, p<.001). The average knowledge score increased from 5.97 at pre-test to 7.09 at post-test (Cohen's d=0.69). The increase was significant across all participants (t(315)= 12.4, p<.001), as well as within the FL site (t(124)= 6.66, p<.001, d=0.59) and the PR site (t(190)=10.66, p<.001, d=0.77). Results from this study suggest that educational outreach events delivered to H/L community members by a CHE are valuable strategies to address challenges regarding cancer screening knowledge and engagement in multiple behaviors.

Reflexiones en torno a la formación de docentes de medicina / Reflections on the training of medical teachers

En el contexto de: los avances tecnológicos de los últimos 20 años, sumados al crecimiento demográfico, los cambios macroeconómicos a escala global, el aumento del papel protagónico de la mujer en el ámbito profesional, las realidades asistenciales de los nóveles médicos egresados, la labor asistencial de los docentes universitarios, los recursos necesarios para la educación en salud y las herramientas heterogéneas de las cuales disponen los ámbitos de formación en salud del país proponemos repensar ¿qué perfil docente en el ámbito de la salud necesitan nuestras casas de estudios universitarios? ¿cuáles son las competencias necesarias a adquirir y desarrollar por nuestros exigidos docentes universitarios actuales? Realizamos una revisión del significado en cuanto a competencias docentes, y aportes de diversos autores en este contexto. Proponemos la reflexión de este importante aspecto, explicitando finalmente ejes de acción y objetivos para un programa de formación docente continua en el ámbito de la salud.

In the context of: the technological advances of the last 20 years, added to the demographic growth, the macroeconomic changes on a global scale, the increase in the leading role of women in the professional field, the healthcare realities of graduated medical professionals, the work health care of university teachers, the necessary resources for health education and the heterogeneous tools available to the health training areas of the country, we propose to rethink which teaching profile in the field of health do our universities need? What are the necessary skills to acquire and develop for our current demanding university teachers? We carry out a review of the meaning in terms of teaching competences, and contributions from various authors in this context. We propose the reflection of this important aspect, finally explaining lines of action and objectives for a continuous teacher training program in the field of health.

Impact of the promotora model on the improvement of oral health knowledge of caregivers / Impacto del modelo promotora en el mejoramiento del conocimiento sobre salud oral de los cuidadores

ABSTRACT Objective The objective of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the impact of the Promotora Model (PM) as an educational strategy to increase oral health knowledge in parents/caregivers of children aged 2-5 years at high risk for dental caries. Materials and Methods Sixty-three caregivers who provided informed consent were included in the study. A structured 37-item survey was administered prior to conducting the Promotora educational intervention (PEI) that covered oral health topics and behaviors. Three (3) months after the PEI session, during their child's next dental visit, the same instrument was administered to 46 of the parents/caregivers that had completed the first instrument. Results Most caregivers were Hispanic (73.9%) and 50% reported completing high school. Before PEI, 56.5% of participants scored as having "good" general knowledge. Three months after PEI, 82.6% achieved that score (paired sample T-test, p< 0.00001). Conclusion Based on the results, it was concluded that the PM significantly increased caregivers' oral health knowledge.(AU)

RESUMEN Objetivo El propósito de este estudio cuasi-experimental fue determinar el impacto del Modelo Promotora (MP) como estrategia educacional para mejorar el conocimiento sobre salud oral de los padres y/o cuidadores de niños con edades comprendidas entre 2-5 años con alto riesgo de sufrir caries dental. Métodos Sesenta y tres padres y/o cuidadores quienes dieron el consentimiento fueron incluidos en el estudio. Se administró un cuestionario estructurado de 37 preguntas antes de la intervención educativa (IE) con el Modelo Promotora (IEP) el cual cubría tópicos sobre salud oral y conductas. Tres (3) meses después de la sesión de IEP, en la próxima visita dental del niño, el mismo cuestionario fue administrado a 46 padres y/o cuidadores que habían completado el primer cuestionario. Resultados La mayoría de los padres y/o cuidadores eran Hispanos (73,9%) y 50% reporto tener bachillerato completo. Antes del IEP, 56,5% de los participantes presentó un nivel general de conocimiento "Bueno." Tres meses después de la aplicación del IEP, 82,6% obtuvieron el mismo nivel de conocimiento (T-test, p<0.00001). Conclusión Se concluye que el MP mejora considerablemente el conocimiento sobre salud bucal de los padres y/o cuidadores.(AU)

El educador como investigador de su práctica pedagógica: la importancia de la reflexión en la educación para la salud / Teacher as researcher of its own practice: the importance of reflection for health educaction

Objetivo: presentar el proceso y los resultados de una inves-tigación-acción en el ámbito de la educación, en el programa de crecimiento y desarrollo de una institución prestadora de servicios de salud de la ciudad de Medellín. Metodología: si¬guiendo los planteamientos de Stenhouse sobre un educador-investigador, se llevó a cabo un proceso reflexivo donde los miembros de los equipos del programa, investigaron sus prác¬ticas pedagógicas y las analizaron a la luz de su propia expe¬riencia y de la teoría proveniente de investigaciones realizadas en su institución, y de la literatura científica. Resultados: me¬diante la reflexión y la investigación de su práctica pedagó¬gica los educadores lograron concebir el programa desde una perspectiva más amplia: la crianza. Así mismo consiguieron situarse de manera diferente hacia la educación y el educando y generar propuestas alternativas. Discusión: la experiencia investigativa muestra la dificultad para realizar cambios en las perspectivas pedagógicas en el ámbito de de la educación para salud, generalmente sustentadas en modelos tradicionales o conductistas. Teniendo en cuenta los resultados obtenidos, se presenta esta propuesta investigativa como una vía para avan¬zar en el fortalecimiento de la dimensión educativa en el ámbi¬to de salud desde una perspectiva alternativa.

Objective: to present the process and results of an action research in the educational dimension, the growth and development program of a health institution in Medellin. Methodology: following Stenhouse’s ideas about a teacher-researcher, it was developed a reflective process where the program’s teams, researched their pedagogical practices, and analyzed them taking in consideration their own experience as well as theory coming from past research done in their institution, and the scientific literature. Results: through a reflective process and by investigating their pedagogical process, educators were able to design the program from a wider perspective: child rearing. Also they were able to locate themselves in a different way with respect to education and to parents generating alternative proposal for education Discussion: research experience shows the difficulty of making changes in pedagogical perspectives in health education, usually based on traditional or behavioral models. According to the results, this research proposal is presented as a way to forward in the strengthening of a educational dimension in health field from an alternative perspective.