title: The health agency training program: continuing education courses in biostatistics and epidemiology.
abstract: The authors describe the development and evaluation of a continuing education program in biostatistics and epidemiology. Short courses were presented to public health and mental health professionals using teaching strategies that included lecture, discussion, practice-oriented examples, and interactive problem-solving. A total of 1723 health professionals attended one or more of the 120 courses presented from 1992 to 1996 in seven US states. Most course participants were female: the highest education level for 40% was a bachelor's degree, while 42% had advanced degrees. Approximately 66% of participants signed up for continuing education credits. The program represents a successful partnership between an academic institution and health agencies in a seven-state region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City 73190, USA. laura-beebe@ouhsc.edu
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Beebe
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Neas
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Asal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001699:Biometry; D004496:Education, Continuing; D004813:Epidemiology / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011634:Public Health / Q000193:education*; D014481:United States