Amy A Eyler1, Cheryl Valko2, Ramya Ramadas2, Marti Macchi3, Zarina Fershteyn3, Ross C Brownson4. 1. Prevention Research Center in St. Louis, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri. Electronic address: aeyler@wustl.edu. 2. Prevention Research Center in St. Louis, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri. 3. National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, Atlanta, Georgia. 4. Prevention Research Center in St. Louis, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri; Division of Public Health Sciences and Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Research and lessons from community implementation have informed evidence-based practices that can improve the effectiveness of health initiatives. Administrative evidence-based practices (A-EBPs) facilitate the role of public health departments in implementing the most effective programs and policies. The purpose of this study is to describe A-EBPs in relation to characteristics of chronic disease practitioners in state health departments. METHODS: Randomly selected chronic disease practitioners who worked in state health departments were invited to complete an online survey in 2016. The survey included questions on five domains of A-EBPs: workforce development, leadership, culture and climate, relationships and partners, and financial practices. State-level variables that could potentially affect the use of A-EBPs were collected and used in a regression model. RESULTS: Analysis was conducted in 2016 on data from 571 respondents. Mean percentages of those who strongly agreed/agreed were lowest for financial practices (41.49%) and leadership (42.33%) with higher means for culture and climate (54.52%) and relationships and partners (58.71%). State poverty level was the only significant predictor of A-EBP scores after adjusting for other covariates in a regression model. CONCLUSIONS: These results show several areas of high agreement with A-EBP within the domains measured as well as opportunities for improvement. Highlighting the importance of A-EBPs to public health leadership level may enhance practice. There is also need for developing plans for an aging workforce and cultivating partnerships with health care and other sectors. Findings can be used to target training for enhancement of A-EBPs within state health departments.
INTRODUCTION: Research and lessons from community implementation have informed evidence-based practices that can improve the effectiveness of health initiatives. Administrative evidence-based practices (A-EBPs) facilitate the role of public health departments in implementing the most effective programs and policies. The purpose of this study is to describe A-EBPs in relation to characteristics of chronic disease practitioners in state health departments. METHODS: Randomly selected chronic disease practitioners who worked in state health departments were invited to complete an online survey in 2016. The survey included questions on five domains of A-EBPs: workforce development, leadership, culture and climate, relationships and partners, and financial practices. State-level variables that could potentially affect the use of A-EBPs were collected and used in a regression model. RESULTS: Analysis was conducted in 2016 on data from 571 respondents. Mean percentages of those who strongly agreed/agreed were lowest for financial practices (41.49%) and leadership (42.33%) with higher means for culture and climate (54.52%) and relationships and partners (58.71%). State poverty level was the only significant predictor of A-EBP scores after adjusting for other covariates in a regression model. CONCLUSIONS: These results show several areas of high agreement with A-EBP within the domains measured as well as opportunities for improvement. Highlighting the importance of A-EBPs to public health leadership level may enhance practice. There is also need for developing plans for an aging workforce and cultivating partnerships with health care and other sectors. Findings can be used to target training for enhancement of A-EBPs within state health departments.
Authors: Stephanie Mazzucca; Cheryl A Valko; Amy A Eyler; Marti Macchi; Andrew Lau; Jeanne Alongi; John Robitscher; Ross C Brownson Journal: Implement Sci Commun Date: 2020-02-25
Authors: Stephanie Mazzucca; Rebekah R Jacob; Cheryl A Valko; Marti Macchi; Ross C Brownson Journal: Public Health Rep Date: 2021-02-16 Impact factor: 2.792
Authors: Stephanie Mazzucca; Renee G Parks; Rachel G Tabak; Peg Allen; Maureen Dobbins; Katherine A Stamatakis; Ross C Brownson Journal: J Public Health Manag Pract Date: 2019 Sep/Oct