Using the Clinical Prevention and Population Health Curriculum Framework to encourage curricular change

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Public Health Training
• Curriculum Development

Background:

• The Healthy People Curriculum Task Force was formed in 2002 to advance health promotion and disease prevention education in healthcare training.
• Healthy People 2010 Objective 1.7 aimed to increase core competencies in health promotion and disease prevention within healthcare provider curricula.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact and implementation of the Clinical Prevention and Population Health Curriculum Framework.
• To review strategies used to influence health professions curricula for better health promotion and disease prevention training.

Main Methods:

• Dissemination of the Curriculum Framework to constituent schools and professional organizations.
• Integration of the Framework into initiatives influencing training, accreditation, and national board examinations.
• Adaptation of the Framework to meet data requirements for Healthy People objectives.

Main Results:

• The Framework has been instrumental in driving curricular change across various health professions schools.
• Implementation efforts have led to the integration of core competencies into educational programs.
• The Framework's influence extends to accreditation standards and national board certification content.

Conclusions:

• The Task Force's strategies have successfully promoted curricular change in health professions education.
• The revised Framework and Healthy People 2020 offer opportunities to build upon these advancements.
• Sustained efforts are crucial for embedding health promotion and disease prevention in healthcare provider training.