Florida Public Health Training Center: Evidence-Based Online Mentor Program

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Florida Public Health Training Center: Evidence-Based Online Mentor Program
Language: English
Authors: Frahm, Kathryn A., Alsac-Seitz, Biray, Mescia, Nadine, Brown, Lisa M., Hyer, Kathy, Liburd, Desiree, Rogoff, David P., Troutman, Adewale
Source: Journal of Continuing Higher Education. 2013 61(3):175-182.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 8
Publication Date: 2013
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Postsecondary Education
Higher Education
Descriptors: Public Health, Mentors, Evidence, Online Courses, College Students, State Agencies, Supervisory Methods, Program Descriptions, Training Methods, Learning Activities, Health Education, Web 2.0 Technologies, Best Practices
Geographic Terms: Florida
DOI: 10.1080/07377363.2013.836849
ISSN: 0737-7363
Abstract: This article describes an Online Mentor Program (OMP) designed to support and facilitate mentorships among and between Florida Department of Health (FDOH) employees and USF College of Public Health students using a Web-based portal. The Florida Public Health Training Center (FPHTC) at the University of South Florida (USF) College of Public Health (COPH) developed and implemented the program. The program was developed at the request of, and in collaboration with, the FDOH Office of Workforce Development. In addition, it was also targeted to students in order to give them the opportunity to learn from other public health professionals, develop their own professional expertise, and better determine their niche in the public health field. It was specifically designed to meet the Public Health Core Competency "[8A6] Participates in mentoring and peer review or coaching opportunities" (Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice, 2010). This program is unique in that it uses a Web-based portal to match mentors with mentees and facilitate their progress in a real-time tracking system. The algorithm that supports the portal was developed to enhance the significance and relevance of the potential mentor-mentee matches. Included in the portal are robust reporting tools which also provide immediate feedback to program coordinators. These data help to adapt to the evolving mentorship needs of participants, such as providing additional instructional resources or supplemental trainings, and measures the impact on the public health workforce. The program was designated as a best practice by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) based on the criteria that it is easily replicable, evidence-based, and shows a measurable impact on the public health workforce.
Abstractor: ERIC
Number of References: 30
Entry Date: 2014
Accession Number: EJ1022235
Database: ERIC
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Description
Abstract:This article describes an Online Mentor Program (OMP) designed to support and facilitate mentorships among and between Florida Department of Health (FDOH) employees and USF College of Public Health students using a Web-based portal. The Florida Public Health Training Center (FPHTC) at the University of South Florida (USF) College of Public Health (COPH) developed and implemented the program. The program was developed at the request of, and in collaboration with, the FDOH Office of Workforce Development. In addition, it was also targeted to students in order to give them the opportunity to learn from other public health professionals, develop their own professional expertise, and better determine their niche in the public health field. It was specifically designed to meet the Public Health Core Competency "[8A6] Participates in mentoring and peer review or coaching opportunities" (Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice, 2010). This program is unique in that it uses a Web-based portal to match mentors with mentees and facilitate their progress in a real-time tracking system. The algorithm that supports the portal was developed to enhance the significance and relevance of the potential mentor-mentee matches. Included in the portal are robust reporting tools which also provide immediate feedback to program coordinators. These data help to adapt to the evolving mentorship needs of participants, such as providing additional instructional resources or supplemental trainings, and measures the impact on the public health workforce. The program was designated as a best practice by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) based on the criteria that it is easily replicable, evidence-based, and shows a measurable impact on the public health workforce.
ISSN:0737-7363
DOI:10.1080/07377363.2013.836849