Health Educator Participation in Virtual Micro-Credentialing Increases Physical Activity in Public Health Competencies
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22087605 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Anna Dysart (0000-0003-0127-7370, Virginia Tech, corresponding author), Laura E Balis (0000-0002-8981-1621, Pacific Institute For Research and Evaluation), Bryce T Daniels (0000-0002-9419-3776, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville), Samantha M Harden (0000-0003-3520-2457, Virginia Tech) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 9 |
| Pages | 780618-780618 |
| Publication date | 2021-12-07 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2021.780618 |
| PMID | 34950632 |
| OpenAlex | W4200108219 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 28 |
Background: Physical activity is an important component of leading a healthy life. Public health is one of the nine major sectors for disseminating information about physical activity and increasing the physical activity of the general public. Purpose: Increase competency among Cooperative Extension agents (i.e., public health workers) on selecting, delivering, and evaluating physical activity programs through a theory-based online training program. Methods: Cooperative Extension agents from two states were invited to participate via statewide listservs. Participants were invited to attend sessions, complete competency checks, and between-session assignments each week. The study was conducted using a video conferencing platform. The intervention was 9 weeks from June to July 2020 and had 130 participants. Pre- and post-program surveys included physical activity competencies and validated scales for flourishing and physical activity status. Data for competencies pre and post were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, p < 0.01. Physical activity and flourishing pre and post were compared using t -tests, p < 0.05. Results: Physical activity in public health competency increased significantly ( p < 0.00) as did agents' personal physical activity levels ( p < 0.05). Changes in flourishing were not significant ( p < 0.09) but trended in the hypothesized direction. Conclusions: The online competency-based training program significantly improved Cooperative Extension agents' knowledge of physical activity guidelines and physical activity program implementation. Future work is needed related to the scalability of the training program
Credentialing · Curriculum · Flourishing · Health promotion · Medical education · Pedagogy · Physical activity · Physical therapy · Public health · Wilcoxon signed-rank test · Medicine · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications · Nursing · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Physical Activity and Health · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology
Impact of Formal Continuing Medical Education
On the promotion of human flourishing
The Science of Training and Development in Organizations
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
Physical Activity and Public Health
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Public Health Leadership Training
Lessons Learned From a Community–Academic Initiative
Opportunities for Public Health to Increase Physical Activity Among Youths
| Citations per year | 0.67 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2023 - 2025 (3) |
| Highly cited | No |