Public Health Administration, PUBH 524

Purpose: to help other instructors teaching the same course

Common Course ID:  Public Health Administration, PUBH 524
CSU Instructor Open Textbook Adoption Portrait

Abstract: These zero-cost course materials are being utilized in a Public Health course for graduate students by Portia Preston Jackson at CSU Fullerton. The main motivation to adopt an open textbook was to reduce course costs and make graduate studies more equitable. 

Course Title and Number:  Public Health Administration, PUBH 524
Brief Description of course highlights:   Principles, practices and skills essential to successful public health administration. U.S. health care system and factors that shape it. Public health services and administration, patterns of diseases, managed care, ethics and quality of care.

Student population: 1st year MPH students, most are working full or part time in the public health workforce
Learning or student outcomes:  By completion of this course, each student should be able to:

1.Investigate the structure and organization of the American health care, public health and legal and regulatory systems across local, state, national and international settings.

2.Analyze the core public health functions (assessment, assurance, and policy development) and the ten essential functions at national, state and local governmental levels.

3. Synthesize resources for evidence-based practice including sources for identifying best practice and sources for local, state, national and international public health data acquisition and disease surveillance.

4. Examine strategic and community health plans to assess population needs, and understand how assets and capacity affect community’s health
5. Critique quality improvement, evaluation and basic economic analysis as decision-making tools for evaluating program efficiency and/or effectiveness.
6.Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management including how to manage a budget and government contract.

7. Analyze evidence-based approaches for advocacy and developing ethically and culturally sensitive political, social, or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations.

8. Appraise strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes
9. Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges.

10. Create a leadership portfolio that incorporates principles of leadership, governance, and management including creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration and guiding decision making

Key challenges faced and how resolved: Students were complaining about the cost of a recently published textbook I adopted last year ($100). It was very difficult to find a free text that was up to date and engaging for my students. So, I decided to expand the number of trainings (interactive and video) I use in the course, and add more peer-review journal articles, as well as expand existing leadership surveys.
Syllabus and/or Sample assignment from the course or the adoption
Module 5 Concept Reflection 
Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to help you build competency in learning objectives 7 and 9. You are being asked to apply relevant concepts you will be introduced to in the selected trainings and reading materials. Start early, and pace yourself.

Trainings
Start by registering for each training. My expectation is that you complete all of the trainings, since that is representative of the time you would spend in a second four hour class this week. You will need to register a free account for each training site. You may use the university address to register: 800 N State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92831. Read the reflections before you begin the trainings, so you understand what to look out for. When you register for trainings, download any workbooks or slides that are available to you, as these are helpful references to return to. Many of the trainings provide certificates with your name on them upon completion. If these appear for free, save them for your portfolio. If not, don't worry about it. Just make it clear through your responses that you are applying what you learned from the training.  

Reference material
This week, I have indicated which information is required, and what is optional (if you need further explanation of concepts)

Don't worry about finding the "right" answer. The intent of this assignment is to foster your ability to explore a topic using available resources. Do your best. Your total assignment should not exceed 5 pages. Write in complete sentences, and check your TurnItIn score after you submit (aim for a similarity report of no more than 10%. Try to avoid using quotes, as the goal is for you to convey your understanding of the material and ability to apply it.

Due date: Submit by April 24 as a .doc or .docx file. 

Part 1:   (Course Learning Objective 7)  Now that you have had experience with doing concept reflections, this week, you will practice identifying major relevant concepts on your own using the assigned trainings and reference materials. Please provide thorough answers (there are fewer questions, but your answer should demonstrate your understanding of and ability to apply concepts). 

1. Discuss key principles related to evidence-based public health. Identify sources for public health data acquisition and disease surveillance at two of the following levels:  local, state, national and international. Summarize the type of information they provide and how they might be used by public health professionals.  

Required Resources:
Evidence based public health (45 minutes) https://www.nwcphp.org/training/introduction-to-evidence-based-public-healthLinks to an external site.

Evidence-based practices & Programs (NIH) https://prevention.nih.gov/research-priorities/dissemination-implementation/evidence-based-practices-programsLinks to an external site. Links to an external site. 

Part 2:   (Course Learning Objective 9)
2.  Discuss the principles and tools of conflict resolution (e.g. mediation, negotiation) that you consider to be most critical for your desired public health role (e.g. leadership navigating organizational or community challenges). Discuss how you could apply these tools.

Sources
1. Leadership Guide to Conflict and Conflict Management: https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/pubhhmp6615/chapter/leadership-guide-to-conflict-and-conflict-management/Links to an external site.

2. The Legal Basis of Public Health: Negotiation: https://biotech.law.lsu.edu/Courses/PH_Courses/cdc/mod8.pdfLinks to an external site.

3. Mediation Skills: Peaceful Resolution and Soothing Communication Tips (1.5 hours) https://wrphtc.arizona.edu/training/mediation-skills-peaceful-resolution-and-soothing-communication-tipsLinks to an external site.

OER/Low Cost Adoption Process

Provide an explanation or what motivated you to use this textbook or OER/Low Cost option. Save the students money and decrease the risk that resources would be outdated.

How did you find and select the open textbook for this course? Lots of online searches for content!

Sharing Best Practices: Be creative, look for professionals in your field who are sharing knowledge. I really enjoy using trainings put out by public health regional training centers.

Describe any challenges you experienced, and lessons learned. Student resistance to completing trainings as they take time

Instructor Name:  Portia Jackson Preston
I am a Public Health assistant professor at California State University, Fullerton.

I teach Stress Management and Promoting Health in DIverse Populations

Please provide a link to your university page. http://hhd.fullerton.edu/pubh/faculty/JacksonPrestonPortia.php

Please describe the courses you teach.
PUBH/KNES 342: Stress Management
PUBH 411: Promoting Health in Diverse Populations

Describe your teaching philosophy and any research interests related to your discipline or teaching.  Portia conducts research on multilevel approaches to self-care, and examines how stressors such as racism contribute to health inequity. She works with organizations to prevent and manage burnout by fostering sustainable performance and resilience. 

Textbook or OER/Low cost Title: I no longer use a textbook. Students mostly watch trainings or read articles. See supplemental resources listed below.

Brief Description: Provide a brief description of the textbook, OER or Low Cost option, including anything relevant to your choice.
Student access:  Course management system

Supplemental resources: Utilized a combination unlimited user access library materials, and OER including: Leadership in Healthcare and Public Health, Leading people - Managing Organizations: Contemporary Public Health Leadership, Public Health Ethics: Global Cases, Practice, and Context

Provide the cost savings from that of a traditional textbook.  $110.95/student for Novick & Morrow's Public Health Administration