Academic health centers and public health departments: partnership matters

The Institute of Medicine has called for increased population-based training for healthcare professions students, and particularly medical students. For this to be effective, students should receive such training in the locations where population-based approaches to care take place, such as public health departments (HDs). However, little is known about currently existing relationships between academic health centers (AHCs) and HDs.

During the spring and summer of 2003, e-mail surveys on this topic were sent to the 104 members of the Association of Academic Health Centers, and 500 members of the National Association of City and County Health Officers and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers. Results were received from 50 AHCs and 201 HDs.

Survey results suggest that large numbers of healthcare professions students--residents, medical students, and others--are currently being trained in many HDs nationwide. The web of relationships between AHCs and HDs extends beyond education into research, service, and other purposes.

These preliminary results require verification. Nevertheless, they raise questions about the types and quality of the education being offered in health departments, the impact of AHC/HD relationships on both parties, and how existing relationships may be enhanced to meet current and future national needs.