Biomedical subjects

Ray M Nicola

Publications and source records attributed to Ray M Nicola.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Using problem-based learning as a strategy for cross-discipline emergency preparedness training.

The rapid and effective response to a bioterrorist event requires the coordinated efforts of trained personnel from different agencies. This article describes the design and implementation of a 1-week cross-disciplinary course employing problem-based learning (PBL) for professionals with backgrounds in public health, fire/emergency medical services (EMS), law enforcement, emergency management, and hospital administration. The curriculum provided opportunities for professionals from different disciplines to meet and learn the priorities and resources of partner agencies. In course evaluations, participants rated the training highly and found it applicable to their work and a good use of time and training resources. PBL techniques were successful in fostering cross-agency communication, thereby showing promise as an effective training method for meeting local and national emergency preparedness objectives.

Bioterrorism↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Public health infrastructure system change: outcomes from the turning point initiative.

The Robert Wood Johnson and W.K. Kellogg Foundations created the Turning Point initiative to transform and strengthen the public health infrastructure. This study examined 135 public health system changes for their links to multiple sector collaborative engagement, essential public health services, health outcomes, and infrastructure building strategies. An on-line documentation system developed by the University of Kansas was used to record and analyze these linkages. The results showed that each state accomplished notable system changes; the majority involved more than one sector and primarily related to increasing local public health system capacity and organizational change.

Cooperative Behavior↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Turning Point's Legacy.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Community Health Planning↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Turning Point's National Excellence Collaboratives: assessing a new model for policy and system capacity development.

This article reviews the factors leading to successful collaborations and observations about the functioning of groups of states in collaborative coalitions by examining one specific collaboration--the Turning Point initiative. Turning Point is an initiative funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to transform and strengthen the US public health system so that it is more effective, more community based, and more collaborative in protecting and improving the public's health and well-being. A unique aspect of the Turning Point initiative is the creation of 5 National Excellence Collaboratives, with participating members from multiple Turning Point state partnerships, national public health associations, federal agencies, and diverse other organizations appropriate to each Collaborative's focus. Over 5 years, Turning Point Collaboratives developed educational materials, practice tools, and policy recommendations aimed at improving the public health system at the state and local levels and, ultimately, improving the health of the US population. The literature on collaborative partnerships and coalitions describes key elements and factors among successful partnerships. Areas of importance to success in Turning Point Collaboratives that have implications for future efforts include: continuity of leadership and membership, adequate technical assistance, diversity of Collaborative membership, regular feedback, and incentives.

Community Health Planning↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Turning point and public health institutes: vehicles for systems change.

Public Health Institutes are free-standing multisector entities able to function as conveners to improve health status and foster innovations in health systems. Turning Point is a program funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, involving 21 statewide initiatives and 2 "linked" states that formed multisector collaborative partnerships for public health systems change. In 18 of the Turning Point states, there are also Public Health Institutes, some formed by Turning Point partnerships and some established independently. Both Turning Point and Public Health Institutes represent efforts to reform and enhance public health systems. What has been the relationship between these two organizational forms? This descriptive, qualitative study examined the relationships between state-level Turning Point partnerships and Public Health Institutes in states that have both. Key participants in both institutions were interviewed, and models were developed to represent those relationships. Principal findings suggest that the relationships of Turning Point state partnerships with Public Health Institutes have taken many shapes. Factors that influence the choices and sequencing of these options are largely related to the political and economic resources of each state. Turning Point participants perceived Public Health Institutes to be a useful organizational form for sustaining public health systems change. Public Health Institutes have more administrative and fiscal flexibility than state government and greater opportunities for policy development and advocacy. However, free-standing institutes also have greater financial uncertainty.

Academies and Institutes↗