Core Competencies
By the end of the MS in Community Health program of study, the student will demonstrate the following competencies:
1.Obtain health-related data about social and cultural environments, and needs and interests among selected communities (Epidemiology).
Sub-competencies:
- Select valid sources of information about health needs and interests.
- Utilize computerized sources of health-related information.
- Employ or develop appropriate data-gathering instruments.
- Apply survey techniques to acquire health data.
- Analyze needs assessment data.
- Determine priority areas of need for community health education.
2.Demonstrate basic understanding of environmental theory and research methods(Environmental Health).
Sub-competencies:
- Identify the major program areas comprising the field of environmental health.
- Outline the mechanisms by which disease-causing agents are spread through theenvironment.
- Demonstrate the ability to collect, analyze and interpret data in the problem-solving process
- Identify the methods utilized in detecting and measuring pathogenic agents.
- Identify the criteria used in the development of risk assessments.
- Distinguish between risk assessment, risk communication and risk management and the uses of each.
- Understanding general issues related to environmental health in community setting
- Identify the major chemical, physical, biological and social factors affecting human health and well-being in the community setting
- Discuss the control procedures utilized to protect public health and maintain environmental quality
- Knowledge appropriate scientific methodology to the solution of problems related to environmental health in the community setting
- Understanding the economic, political and social components that must be considered in the development of environmental policy.
- Describe the official roles of the principal agencies and branches of government at various levels in the managing environmental health.
- Identify the major Federal Environmental Statutes and their Virginia counterparts, where applicable, that affect human health and protect the environment.
3.Plan and implement effective community health programs (Principles of communityhealth)
Sub-competencies:
- Recruit community organizations, resource people and potential participants for support and assistance in program planning.
- Develop a logical scope and sequence plan for a community health program
- Formulate appropriate and measurable program objectives.
- Design educational programs consistent with specified program objectives
4.Assess the effectiveness of community health programs (Research Design)
Sub-competencies:
- Develop plans to assess achievement of community health program objectives
- Determine priority areas of need for community health education
- Explain the purpose of research in the health professions.
- Define the role of human subjects protections in research
- Develop a study plan.
- Articulate the common types of study designs used in the health professions (cross sectional, longitudinal, panel, cohort, quasi-experimental, experimental).
- General testable hypotheses
- Appraise articles from the peer-reviewed research literature for quality and relevance to a particular project.
- Compare different data sources available.
- Understand the different approaches to program evaluation
- Describe data through visual means and with descriptive statistics
- Demonstrate the interpretation and use of commonly used statistical procedures in health research
- Understand the role of multivariate statistics such as multiple linear regression and multiple logistic regression.
5.Coordinating provision of health education services (Administration)
Sub-competencies:
- Identify gaps and overlaps in the provision of collaborative health services.
- Promote cooperation and feedback among personnel related to community health programs.
- Apply various methods of conflict reduction as needed.
- Develop plans for promoting collaborative efforts among community health agencies and organizations with mutual interests.
- Foster communication between health care providers and consumers.