Building Public Health Workforce Capacity: Longer-Term Effectiveness of a Capacity Building Intervention to Improve Community-Based Public Health Prevention Work

Abstract

Objective: There is an urgent need to build capacity among existing and incoming public health workers to enhance community-based work focused on prevention and health promotion. Public Health Essentials (PHE), a cohort-based facilitated asynchronous online capacity building intervention, was designed to build public health workers’ strategic skills and professional confidence. Earlier research reported on the short-term learning outcomes of the intervention; here we report on results from a longer-term outcomes evaluation, including skill retention, skill application, and possible indicators of workforce retention and community health improvement.Methods: A sequential mixed-methods research study was used to assess and explore longer-term outcomes among a sample of PHE graduates working in community public health roles.Results: Some 46% of eligible PHE graduates (n=70) completed a skills survey at three timepoints: Pre-PHE, post-PHE, and 3-to-6 months post-PHE completion. Longitudinal analysis of responses showed statistically significant skill gains over baseline (Beginner → Proficient, p<0.005), despite a slight drop in self-perceived ability in the 3-6 months post-PHE completion. Qualitative interviews with respondents and focus groups with their supervisors suggest PHE completion benefits participants’ everyday work by developing strategic skills, and grounding their work in shared public health language, paradigms, and values. Broader reported benefits include the ability to apply new skills to community public health prevention projects and expressed motivation to continue to work in public health.Conclusions: Successful completion of PHE provides learners with durable skills applicable to public health work and may spur interest in continuing to work in the field of public health. The importance of developing and retaining a competent community-focused public health workforce cannot be overstated. Comprehensive facilitated, online asynchronous capacity building programs may be an effective tool.