Defining Clinical Public Health

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Medical Education
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Complex health issues necessitate innovative, multidisciplinary approaches.
• The Clinical Public Health (CPH) Division at the University of Toronto integrates primary care, preventive medicine, and public health.
• Understanding the application and perception of CPH is crucial for its effective implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the understanding and utility of the Clinical Public Health (CPH) concept among affiliated professionals.
• To explore how CPH fosters collaboration across disciplines.
• To identify perceptions regarding the definition and scope of CPH.

Main Methods:

• A two-wave anonymous survey was administered to faculty within the CPH Division at the University of Toronto.
• Wave 1 (n=187) involved defining CPH; Wave 2 (n=192) involved ranking synthesized definitions.
• Participants commented on the need for a common definition and the overall utility of CPH.

Main Results:

• Response rates were 25% (Wave 1) and 22% (Wave 2).
• The definition "the intersection of clinical practice and public health" was most highly ranked.
• Positive perceptions included multidisciplinary collaboration and innovation; negative perceptions cited confusion and narrow scope.

Conclusions:

• Clinical Public Health (CPH) offers a valuable framework for integrating diverse disciplines and specialties.
• CPH facilitates multidisciplinary collaboration essential for addressing complex health issues.
• A common understanding of CPH can enhance its effectiveness in education, practice, and research.