The Relationship of Job Activities to Professional Preparation of the Public Health Educator At the University of Michigan, 1974-1979.

Abstract

This study was designed to determine relationships existing between job activities engaged in by public health educators and professional preparation received; job activities to present position held; and job activities to field or work-related experience. Examinations were made of professional preparation received, level of knowledge and abilities as recommended by a key professional organization, and perceptions of public health educators regarding the field of health education. The sample surveyed consisted of 87 public health educators, graduated from the Department of Health Behavior/Health Education at the University of Michigan between 1974-1979. The survey, implemented from April to June 1981, via a mailed questionnaire, utilized open- and closed-ended questions for collecting data. Analyses of the data were based on enumeration statistics, yielding information descriptive in nature. The statistical procedures used were: (1) Rank Correlations; (2) One-way Analysis of Variance; and (3) Student t. Findings indicated a relationship exists between job activities, professional preparation, and present position held. Public health educators engaged in job activities with varying frequency. Key activities less frequently engaged in were budgeting, writing proposals and contracts, preparing reports and publications, designing continuing education programs, consulting activities, negotiation and arbitration activities, and use of computer systems for program planning. Respondents spent a considerable amount of their time and energy engaged in some program planning and administrative activities. In terms of preparation, most respondents felt very well to quite well prepared in meeting professional responsibilities and viewed health education as having attained the status of a professional occupation. There were apparent preparation deficiencies identified by respondents in the areas of administration, program development and management, research and evaluation, the history and development of professional ethics, and in special applications of health education. It is recommended that the findings of the study be utilized by the School of Public Health in determining the kind of professional preparation needed by public health educators.