Ronald L Moolenaar1, Stephen B Thacker. 1. Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. RLM8@cdc.gov
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Since 1951, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) has provided training in applied epidemiology to physicians, nurses, veterinarians, dentists, and doctoral-level health scientists. About one third of these EIS officers have been trained in the setting of state and local health departments (the field). METHODS: To evaluate two specific outcomes of field EIS training, the authors reviewed the published work and career choices of field EIS officers after completing the program. The EIS classes of 1991-1996 were selected for study. A field officer was defined as an EIS Officer who completed at least the second year of a 2-year EIS assignment in a state or local health department position. RESULTS: During this period, 430 EIS officers completed the program; 117 (27.2%) were field officers. Of these, 84 (71.8%) published one or more scientific paper as first author for a total of 202 first authored manuscripts in over 50 different journals, an average of 1.7 (range, 0-8) per officer. Most (71%) were on infectious disease topics; 16% were on environmental health or injury control topics, and 11% were on chronic diseases. Field officers were more likely than headquarters-based officers to choose positions in state or local health departments for their first job after graduating (32/117 [27.4%] versus 22/313 [7.0%]; relative risk = 3.9, 95% confidence interval = 2.4-6.4). CONCLUSIONS: EIS training in the field has contributed to the scientific literature and to the strengthening of public health infrastructure at the state and local level.
BACKGROUND: Since 1951, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) has provided training in applied epidemiology to physicians, nurses, veterinarians, dentists, and doctoral-level health scientists. About one third of these EIS officers have been trained in the setting of state and local health departments (the field). METHODS: To evaluate two specific outcomes of field EIS training, the authors reviewed the published work and career choices of field EIS officers after completing the program. The EIS classes of 1991-1996 were selected for study. A field officer was defined as an EIS Officer who completed at least the second year of a 2-year EIS assignment in a state or local health department position. RESULTS: During this period, 430 EIS officers completed the program; 117 (27.2%) were field officers. Of these, 84 (71.8%) published one or more scientific paper as first author for a total of 202 first authored manuscripts in over 50 different journals, an average of 1.7 (range, 0-8) per officer. Most (71%) were on infectious disease topics; 16% were on environmental health or injury control topics, and 11% were on chronic diseases. Field officers were more likely than headquarters-based officers to choose positions in state or local health departments for their first job after graduating (32/117 [27.4%] versus 22/313 [7.0%]; relative risk = 3.9, 95% confidence interval = 2.4-6.4). CONCLUSIONS: EIS training in the field has contributed to the scientific literature and to the strengthening of public health infrastructure at the state and local level.
Authors: Marvin So; Andrea Winquist; Shelby Fisher; Danice Eaton; Dianna Carroll; Patricia Simone; Eric Pevzner; Wences Arvelo Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-05-30 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Carl Reddy; Lazarus Kuonza; Hetani Ngobeni; Natalie T Mayet; Timothy J Doyle; Seymour Williams Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2019-05-10 Impact factor: 3.295