Preparing and presenting an introductory course on motor vehicle injury

Health professionals are key to any progress in reducing motor vehicle injury and death, yet they have been slow to recognize their role in this important area. One factor contributing to this problem has been the absence of courses on motor vehicle injury from the curriculums of the health professions schools. A comprehensive course on motor vehicle injury and death was developed, presented, and evaluated at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health. The major course objectives were for students to (a) comprehend that highway injury is a major public health problem, (b) understand that this problem can be mitigated by proven public health techniques, and (c) understand and be able to implement multidisciplinary solutions. It was hoped that students would champion the prevention of motor vehicle injuries as a high priority for public health agencies and other professional and community organizations. The course has now been presented twice. A teaching guide was prepared and was reviewed by faculty at 13 schools of public health. This guide discusses practical aspects of introducing and implementing this type of course, overall course objectives, specific learning objectives, a model curriculum (with suggested readings) for nine topic areas, materials from which transparencies or slides could be made, and a geographic listing of resource persons. The objectives for the guide were for it to be a practical model for a motor vehicle injury course and to acquaint health professions faculty with the resources available to them for course development, as well as with a network of professionals who are willing to aid them in their efforts. The guide is not a programmed learning text or a collection of canned lectures, but rather it is intended to provide a framework and encouragement to those at other institutions who seek to develop such a course.