Model Development of Community-based Public Health Professional Skills Practice for Bachelor of Public Health Program in Distance Learning System

Abstract

The objective of the study was to develop a model of the community-based public health professional skills for the Bachelor of Public Health Program in the distance learning system. This research was conducted using mixed methods by quantitative methods and qualitative approach and design of the public health professional skills practice model by the distance learning system. The assessment of the practice model involved examining the accuracy by experts.

The results of the study showed that the model of the community-based public health professional skills for the Bachelor of Public Health Program in the distance learning system could be divided into 2 parts which are : 1) practice of specific skills according to professional competencies, including five professional groups of the subjects as follows: (1)Health Promotion and Community Health; (2) Prevention and Control of Diseases, Epidemiology, Statistics and Public Health Research; (3) Basic Medical Care, Rehabilitation and Referral; (4) Occupational Health and Environmental Health; and (5) Public Health Administration and Legislation. Each group of the subjects used the Distance Learning System for enhancing the skills by means of self-learning, learning from experiences and from demonstrations provided through DVDs of respective courses, intensive supplementary tutorials, online instructional activities, supplementary tutorials via satellite/internet and suggested activities of respective courses; 2)the skills practice incorporated with work integrating learning assigned working as public health professionals in public health services centers and community areas which consisted of self-training, project preparation, basic skills training, skills training, and assigned training which were evaluated by instructors and supervisors.