Journal of public health management and practice : JPHMP
-
J Public Health Manag Pract · Nov 2012
Topology of local health officials' advice networks: mind the gaps.
To determine how a health officials' advice network might contribute to a high-performing public health systems by facilitating diffusion of innovation and best practices. ⋯ Communication between peers may not be the primary way professional information diffuses among local health officials. National groups involved in performance improvement may wish to consider strategies to increase the diffusion of best practices and innovations through this network.
-
J Public Health Manag Pract · Nov 2012
Assessment of workforce capacity for Local Health Departments in Nebraska: a perspective from public health programmatic areas.
This study assessed the workforce capacity of Nebraska Local Health Departments (LHDs) from the perspective of public health programmatic areas. DESIGN AND OUTCOMES MEASURES: We conducted a mail survey of 21 LHD directors in Nebraska and collected the information on LHD workforce capacity, training, and competency by public health programmatic areas (eg, environmental health, mental health). An FTE shortage index score for each public health programmatic area was calculated to estimate an LHD's current shortage in that area. Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between LHD capacity, manpower shortage, and staff training and competency. ⋯ The identified shortage areas should be a high priority for federal and state policy makers to address through developing appropriate strategies and providing adequate funding for LHD workforce development in Nebraska. Using the public health programmatic area approach to collect workforce data may help fill some gaps in the current efforts of LHD workforce enumeration. Future research is needed to examine the validity and reliability of the workforce measures based on public health programmatic areas.