A Regional Public Health Field Placement Program: making an IMPACT

Area of Science:

• Public Health Training
• Academic-Practice Partnerships
• Workforce Development

Background:

• Public Health Training Centers (PHTCs) began offering field placements in 2010.
• The Interns and Mentors Program for ACTion (IMPACT) Field Placement Program has a 10-year history, initially funded in 2002.
• The program aims to enhance public health workforce preparedness through practical experience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe best practices and lessons learned in establishing and managing a PHTC field placement program.
• To detail the structure, processes, and roles within the IMPACT Field Placement Program.
• To provide a framework for other academic public health programs to develop similar internship initiatives.

Main Methods:

• The IMPACT program utilizes a refined six-step process: opportunity identification, student marketing, student selection, partner placement, progress evaluation, and program evaluation.
• The article describes the program's operational structure and the collaborative roles of academic institutions and practice partners.
• Evidence of program effectiveness and lessons learned over a decade are discussed.

Main Results:

• The IMPACT program successfully places students in field experiences, contributing to their professional development.
• The six-step process provides a structured approach to managing field placements effectively.
• The program demonstrates the value of academic-practice partnerships in public health training.

Conclusions:

• The described six-step process and lessons learned can guide the development and management of internship programs in other PHTCs and academic settings.
• Effective field placement programs are crucial for preparing the future public health workforce.
• Continued refinement and evaluation are key to successful public health training initiatives.