Development of a Core Competency Model for the Master of Public

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Three of the 9 interdisciplinary domains, data analysis and information management, ecological determinants of health, and management and policy, were re-integrated into the preexisting discipline-specific competency areas for additional review and vetting during Phase 1 of model development.

Subsequent iterations of the proposed model version 1.1 (completed on June 17, 2005) and version 1.2 (finalized on July 15 after review and input by the associate deans of schools of public health at their annual meeting) were both disseminated widely for comments. Version 1.2 was also presented to the ASPH deans at their retreat on July 21 for final revisions and approval. Version 1.3, which was limited to the discipline-specific competencies in the 5 basic public health science areas, was finalized on November 23 and was approved by the ASPH Education Committee on November 29. Version 1.3, with 48 competencies in 5 discipline-specific domains, was then approved by the ASPH board of directors on December 12, 2005.

Phase 2: Crosscutting Competencies. Phase 2 of the ASPH Core Competency Model Development Project was launched in the Fall of 2005 with the formation of 6 new workgroups to further identify and refine competencies for the remaining 6 crosscutting domains. All ASPH member schools, the Association of Prevention Teaching and Research, and practitioner organizations (the American Public Health Association, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, and the National Association of County and City Health Officials) were invited to nominate representatives to the crosscutting domain workgroups. Also, on the basis of input from the deans of schools of public health and the ASPH Education Committee, the public health biology workgroup was revitalized with new nominations from member schools and both academic and practice partners. This group was charged with identifying additional illustrative public health biology subcompetencies that would provide more guidance to faculty and students in this area. A total of 197 members participated in the 7 workgroups formed in Phase 2.

As with the discipline-specific competency modeling process, each workgroup came to consensus on the top 8 to 10 competencies in the 6 crosscutting domains required by any MPH student, again regardless of area of specialization or intended career trajectory upon graduation. Each of the 6 crosscutting domains were prepopulated with 5 to 8 competencies on the basis of suggestions from the preliminary work of the 6 discipline-specific workgroups and the first Core Competency Council, as well as from a review of the related literature. During Phase 2, the workgroups also finalized the following domain constructs, as well as the definition of each: (1) communication and informatics, (2) diversity and culture, (3) leadership, (4) professionalism, (5) program planning, (6) public health biology, and (7) systems thinking.

As the Phase-2 processes evolved, the communication workgroup members decided to include informatics in their domain title and definition because a considerable number of informatics competencies for all MPH graduates emerged during their discussions and survey activities. Consequently, a small subgroup on informatics worked under the direction of the communication workgroup.

The specific numbers of competencies reviewed during each of the 3 rounds of Phase- 2 modified-Delphi surveys, as well as the reviewer response rate from the respective workgroup, are listed in Table 1. The average response rate for the surveys was 85% in Phase 2. Similar to Phase 1, members convened in a second Core Competency Council meeting for Phase 2 in March 2006. This meeting included chairs of the 6 crosscutting areas, a public health biology chair, a practice partner, a representative from the Association of Prevention Teaching and Research, and a Phase-1 chair. The group discussed the rationale for each of the interdisciplinary domains and finalized the complete competency model. During this meeting, public health biology was designated as a crosscutting domain.

The ASPH Education Committee reviewed the Phase-2 version 2.0 of the model in April 2006, which was also presented to ASPH members and partners in May 2006. Version 2.1 was subsequently presented to the associate deans at their summer retreat in June; and version 2.2 was reviewed and approved by the ASPH deans at their retreat in July. The ASPH board accepted version 2.2 with minor revisions, which were reflected in the final ASPH Core Competency Model for the MPH degree, version 2.3, released in August 2006. The full ASPH MPH Core Competency Model is graphically depicted in Figure 1. The definitions and competencies for each of the 12 domains comprising the ASPH Core Competency Model are further outlined in Box 1. The definitions were developed to provide the context by which the workgroups' competency modeling activities took place, versus describing the entire field of a particular discipline's scholarship and practice. A total of 119 competencies are included in the final 2.3 version of the model. DISCUSSION AND SUMMARY

In total, more than 400 individuals directly contributed to or provided input to the development of the final ASPH Core Competency Model, version 2.3, that was released in August 2006. The model development process was a comprehensive, grassroots, expert panel effort with ongoing field-wide dissemination and calls for input by interested parties, including faculty, public health partners, practitioners, and students. The limitations and constraints associated with expert panel and Delphi survey technique are well recognized by the ASPH Education Committee. However, given the diversity of the field and the many career paths and work settings for graduates with the MPH, the initiative provides the first national consensus-building model for continued review, development, and refinement. In addition, the model represents an integration of the core competencies for both the core disciplines and the integrative, crosscutting competencies in the field of academic public health practice.

The ASPH has disseminated the competencies to a wide audience beyond its member schools. In particular, we anticipate that the competencies will be useful to graduate public health programs, employers, practice and agency partners, CEPH, and the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Through this process, the ASPH sought to provide direction and specification regarding essential educational outcomes for the MPH core curriculum and to provide leadership in defining contemporary and future education in public health graduate education. The model also serves as a basis for launching individual initiatives associated with the many career pathways and professional employment positions that make up the field of public health.

A comprehensive overview of the ASPH MPH core competency modeling process, the complete listing of all the competencies considered by the workgroups during the model development process, and a list of resources that were used in support of the development of the Core Competency Model are available on the Internet.19-21

The Core Competency Model, version 2.3, is considered the ASPH's best effort to date in defining the core competencies for the MPH degree. However, competency model development is an iterative process, and the model will have to be regularly updated on the basis of faculty deployment of the competencies, continued dialogue regarding the use of the competencies, input on the currency and relevancy of the competency set, and ongoing changes and progress in the field of public health. Competency sets generally have a lifespan of 3 to 5 years, and it will soon be time to revisit the set and initiate new activities for further refinement and updating in line with new thinking and future challenges to the field. The model will not remain static.

The competencies are intended to serve as a resource and guide for those interested in improving the quality and accountability of public health education and training. They were developed with respect for the uniqueness and diversity of the schools of public health. Therefore, the model may be of assistance to schools of public health in identifying specific subcompetencies and specialty competencies that apply to individual schools and unique program missions. The competencies are not meant to prescribe the methods or processes for achievement; implementation of the competencies may vary as a function of each school's mission and goals.

As well, the ASPH Core Competency Model was not designed to serve as a framework for certain required core courses or for one-to-one development of a core curriculum, but instead is aimed at providing a baseline overview of the knowledge, skills, and other attributes expected of emerging public health professionals. The competencies are anticipated to serve as a useful guide for faculty to include, as appropriate, relevant content in their existing courses and as an aid to MPH students seeking opportunities to comprehensively update their understanding and skill sets. The primary vision for the ASPH competency model development initiative is the graduation of professionals more fully prepared for the many challenges and opportunities in public health in the forthcoming decade.

Association of Schools of Public Health Core Competencies for the Master of Publich Health Degree, by Competency Domain

BIOSTATISTICS

The development and application of statistical reasoning and methods in addressing, analyzing, and solving problems in public health-, health care-, and biomedical-, clinical-, and population- based research.

* Describe the roles biostatistics serves in the discipline of public health.

* Describe basic concepts of probability, random variation, and commonly used statistical probability distributions.

* Describe preferred methodologic alternatives to commonly used statistical methods when assumptions are not met.

* Distinguish among the different measurement scales and the implications for selection of statistical methods to be used on the basis of these distinctions.

* Apply descriptive techniques commonly used to summarize public health data.

* Apply common statistical methods for inference.

* Apply descriptive and inferential methodologies according to the type of study design for answering a particular research question.

* Apply basic informatics techniques with vital statistics and public health records in the description of public health characteristics and in public health research and evaluation.

* Interpret results of statistical analyses found in public health studies.

* Develop written and oral presentations on the basis of statistical analyses for both public health professionals and educated lay audiences.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

The study of environmental factors, including biological, physical, and chemical factors that affect the health of a community.

* Describe the direct and indirect human, ecological, and safety effects of major environmental and occupational agents.

* Describe genetic, physiologic, and psychosocial factors that affect susceptibility to adverse health outcomes following exposure to environmental hazards.

* Describe federal and state regulatory programs, guidelines, and authorities that control environmental health issues.

* Specify current environmental risk assessment methods.

* Specify approaches for assessing, preventing, and controlling environmental hazards that pose risks to human health and safety.

* Explain the general mechanisms of toxicity in eliciting a toxic response to various environmental exposures.

* Discuss various risk management and risk communication approaches in relation to issues of environmental justice and equity.

* Develop a testable model of environmental insult.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

The study of patterns of disease and injury in human populations and the applicain tion of this study to the control of health problems.

* Identify key sources of data for epidemioclinical-, logic purposes.

* Identify the principle and limitations of public health screening programs.

* Describe a public health problem in terms of magnitude, person, time, and place.

* Explain the importance of epidemiology for informing scientific, ethical, economic, and political discussion of health issues.

* Comprehend basic ethical and legal principles pertaining to the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of epidemiologic data.

* Apply the basic terminology and definitions of epidemiology.

* Calculate basic epidemiology measures.

* Communicate epidemiologic information to lay and professional audiences.

* Draw appropriate inferences from epidemiologic data.

* Evaluate the strengths and limitations of epidemiologic reports.

HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT

A multidisciplinary field of inquiry and practice concerned with the delivery, quality, and costs of health care for individuals and populations. This definition assumes both a managerial and a policy concern with the structure, process, and outcomes of health services including the costs, financing, organization, outcomes, and accessibility of care.

* Identify the main components and issues of the organization, financing, and delivery of health services and public health systems in the United States.

* Describe the legal and ethical bases for public health and health services.

* Explain methods of ensuring community health safety and preparedness.

* Discuss the policy process for improving the health status of populations.

* Apply the principles of program planning, development, budgeting, management, and evaluation in organizational and community initiatives.

* Apply principles of strategic planning and marketing to public health.

* Apply quality and performance improvement concepts to address organizational performance issues.

* Apply "systems thinking" for resolving organizational problems.

* Communicate health policy and management issues using appropriate channels and technologies.

* Demonstrate leadership skills for building partnerships.

SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

The study of behavioral, social, and cultural factors related to individual and population health and health disparities over the life course. Research and practice in this area contributes to the development, administration, and evaluation of programs and policies in public health and health services to promote and sustain healthy environments and healthy lives for individuals and populations.

* Identify basic theories, concepts, and models from a range of social and behavioral disciplines that are used in public health research and practice. * Identify the causes of social and behavioral factors that affect health of individuals and populations.

* Identify individual, organizational, and community concerns, assets, resources, and deficits for social and behavioral science interventions.

* Identify critical stakeholders for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs, policies, and interventions.

* Describe steps and procedures for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs, policies, and interventions.

* Describe the role of social and community factors in both the onset and solution of public health problems.

* Describe the merits of social and behavioral science interventions and policies.

* Apply evidence-based approaches in the development and evaluation of social and behavioral science interventions.

* Apply ethical principles to public health program planning, implementation, and evaluation.

* Specify multiple targets and levels of intervention for social and behavioral science programs or policies.

COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATICS

The ability to collect, manage, and organize data to produce information and meaning that is exchanged by use of signs and symbols; to gather, process, and present information to different audiences in-person, through information technologies, or through media channels; and to strategically design the information and knowledge exchange process to achieve specific objectives.

* Describe how the public health information infrastructure is used to collect, process, maintain, and disseminate data.

* Describe how societal, organizational, and individual factors influence and are influenced by public health communications.

* Discuss the influences of social, organizational, and individual factors on the use of information technology by end users.

* Apply theory- and strategy-based communication principles across different settings and audiences.

* Apply legal and ethical principles to the use of information technology and resources in public health settings.

* Collaborate with communication and informatics specialists in the process of design, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs.

* Demonstrate effective written and oral skills for communicating with different audiences in the context of professional public health activities.

* Use information technology to access, evaluate, and interpret public health data.

* Use informatics methods and resources as strategic tools to promote public health.

* Use informatics and communication methods to advocate for community public health programs and policies.

DIVERSITY AND CULTURE

The ability to interact with diverse individuals and communities to produce or impact an intended public health outcome.

* Describe the roles of, history, power, privilege, and structural inequality in producing health disparities.

* Explain how professional ethics and practices relate to equity and accountability in diverse community settings.

* Explain why cultural competence alone cannot address health disparity.

* Discuss the importance and characteristics of a sustainable diverse public health workforce.

* Use the basic concepts and skills involved in culturally appropriate community engagement and empowerment with diverse communities.

* Apply the principles of community- based participatory research to improve health in diverse populations.

* Differentiate among availability, acceptability, and accessibility of health care across diverse populations.

* Differentiate between linguistic competence, cultural competency, and health literacy in public health practice.

* Cite examples of situations in which consideration of culture- specific needs resulted in a more effective modification or adaptation of a health intervention.

* Develop public health programs and strategies responsive to the diverse cultural values and traditions of the communities being served.

LEADERSHIP

The ability to create and communicate a shared vision for a changing future, champion solutions to organizational and community challenges, and energize commitment to goals.

* Describe the attributes of leadership in health.

* Describe alternative strategies for collaboration and partnership among organizations focused on public health goals.

* Articulate an achievable mission, set of values, and vision.

* Engage in dialogue and learning from others to advance public health goals.

* Demonstrate team building, negotiation, conflict management skills.

* Demonstrate transparency, integrity, and honesty in all actions.

* Use collaborative methods for achieving organizational and community health goals.

* Apply social justice and human rights principles when addressing community needs.

* Develop strategies to motivate others for collaborative problem solving, decisionmaking, and evaluation.

PUBLIC HEALTH BIOLOGYa

The ability to incorporate public health biology-the biological and molecular context of public health-into public health practice.

* Specify the role of the immune system population health.

* Describe how behavior alters human biology.

* Identify the ethical, social, and legal issues implied by public health biology.

* Explain the biological and molecular basis of public health.

* Explain the role of biology in the ecologic model of population- based health.

* Explain how genetics and genomics affect disease processes and public health policy and practice.

* Articulate how biological, chemical, and physical agents affect human health.

* Apply biological principles to development and implementation of disease prevention, control, or management programs.

* Apply evidence-based biological and molecular concepts to inform public health laws, policies, and regulations.

* Integrate general biological and molecular concepts into public health.

PROFESSIONALISM

The ability to demonstrate ethical choices, values and professional practices implicit in public health decisions; consider the effect of choices on community stewardship, equity, social justice, and accountability; and commit to personal and institutional development.

* Discuss sentinel events in the history and development of the public health profession and their relevance for practice in the field.

* Apply basic principles of ethical analysis (e.g., the Public Health Code of Ethics, human rights framework, other moral theories) to issues of public health practice and policy.

* Apply evidence-based principles and the scientific knowledge base to critical evaluation and decision- making in public health.

* Apply the core functions of assessment, policy development, and assurance in the analysis of public health problems and their solutions.

* Promote high standards of personal and organizational integrity, compassion, honesty, and respect for all people.

* Analyze determinants of health and disease using an ecological framework.

* Analyze the potential impacts of legal and regulatory environments on the conduct of ethical public health research and practice.

* Distinguish between population and individual ethical considerations in relation to the benefits, costs, and burdens of public health programs.

* Embrace a definition of public health that captures the unique characteristics of the field (e.g., population focused, community oriented, prevention motivated and rooted in social justice) and how these contribute to professional practice.

* Appreciate the importance of working collaboratively with diverse communities and constituencies (e.g., researchers, practitioners, agencies, and organizations).

* Value commitment to lifelong learning and professional service including active participation in professional organizations.

PROGRAM PLANNING

The ability to plan for the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of strategies to improve individual and community health.

* Describe how social, behavioral, environmental, and biological factors contribute to specific individual and community health outcomes.

* Describe the tasks necessary to ensure that program implementation occurs as intended.

* Explain how the findings of a program evaluation can be used.

* Explain the contribution of logic models in program development, implementation, and evaluation.

* Differentiate among goals, measurable objectives, related activities, and expected outcomes for a public health program.

* Differentiate the purposes of formative, process, and outcome evaluation.

* Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods in relation to their strengths, limitations, and appropriate uses, with emphases on reliability and validity.

* Prepare a program budget with justification.

* In collaboration with others, prioritize individual, organizational, and community concerns and resources for public health programs.

* Assess evaluation reports in relation to their quality, utility, and impact on public health.

SYSTEMS THINKING

The ability to recognize system-level properties that result from dynamic interactions among human and social systems and how they affect the relations among individuals, groups, organizations, communities, and environments.

* Identify characteristics of a system.

* Identify unintended consequences produced by changes made to a public health system.

* Provide examples of feedback loops and "stocks and flows" within a public health system.

* Explain how systems (e.g., individuals, social networks, organizations, and communities) may be viewed as systems within systems in the analysis of public health problems.

* Explain how systems models can be tested and validated.

* Explain how the contexts of gender, race, poverty, history, migration, and culture are important in the design of interventions within public health systems.

* Illustrate how changes in public health systems (including input, processes, and output) can be measured.

* Analyze interrelations among systems that influence the quality of life of people in their communities. * Analyze the effects of political, social, and economic policies on public health systems at the local, state, national, and international levels.

* Analyze the impact of global trends and interdependencies on public health- related problems and systems.

* Assess strengths and weaknesses of applying the systems approach to public health problems.

* More information about Systems Thinking is available at http:// www.asph.org/ document.cfm?page

Accessed May 19, 2008

Judith G. Calhoun, PhD, MBA, Kalpana Ramiah, MSc, MPH, CHES, Elizabeth McGean Weist, MA, MPH, and Stephen M. Shortell, PhD, MPH

About the Authors

At the time of the study, Judith G. Calhoun was with the Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Kalpana Ramiah and Elizabeth McGean Weist were with the Association of Schools of Public Health, Washington, DC. Stephen M. Shortell was with the School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley.

Requests for reprints should be sent to Elizabeth Weist, MA, MPH, Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH), 1101 15th St, NW, Suite 910, Washington, DC 20005 (e-mail: eweist@asph.org).

This article was accepted December 27, 2007.

Contributors

J. G. Calhoun conducted the research and provided the methodologic direction for the study, consulted with and advised the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) on all aspects of the study and was the main developer of the article. K. Ramiah provided research, communications, and logistical support and coordinated all aspects of the project. E. McGean Weist managed the project and oversaw the submission of all study deliverables. S. M. Shortell helped to provide overall direction for the study and reviewed the article.

Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (grant U36/CCU300430-23/24).

Special recognition and appreciation is extended to the chairpersons of each of the competency domain workgroups, as listed in the appendix that is available as a supplement to the online version of this article at http://ajph.org, for their ongoing leadership and contributions throughout the ASPH Master of Public Health degree competency model development initiative. In addition, appreciation is extended to all of the individuals who served on each of the workgroups and provided advice and counsel for final model completion. A complete listing of all workgroup members can be found on the ASPH Web site at http://www.asph.org/ userfiles/ Version2.3.pdf.

Note. The contents of this article are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Human Participant Protection

All participants were national academic and practitioner leaders serving as voluntary members of workgroups and task forces for the purpose of providing advice and counsel, as well as their opinions for the study. They were fully informed of all of the methods both verbally and in writing. For each Delphi opinion survey round, they had the option to participate or not. Data were collected anonymously and were reported on a cohort basis only. No protocol approval was needed for this study.

Copyright American Public Health Association Sep 2008

(c) 2008 American Journal of Public Health. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

Source: American Journal of Public Health

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