PHPM 504 InternshipFieldwork Experience

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PHPM 504Internship/Fieldwork Experience

• Orientation
• And
• Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

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What is PHPM 504?

• Integrative experience in the MPH program.
• Worth 3- 6 credits
• Taken after completion of Epi 1 and Biostat 1 (or
  Spring Qtr statistics training for MD/MPH
  students)

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What is the purpose?

• To provide an applied, integrative experience.
  Allows students to apply knowledge acquired in
  courses to field settings
• Opportunity to work in a setting with
  possibility of future employment
• Chance to experience a new public health
  environment
• Opportunity to reflect on learning/career goals

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Who takes PHPM 504?

• All MPH students (no exceptions)
• If you have questions about application of
  experiences, contact the Director of the
  Epidemiology and Biostatistics track

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What are the prerequisites?

• Complete at least Epi 1 and Biostat 1 or MD/MPH
  statistics training
• Complete a signed Internship Proposal form 1st
  steps in the process
• Meet with your faculty advisor to discuss your
  interests and relevant sites for an Internship
  experience
• Attend the PHPM 504 Orientation and review the
  internship guidelines

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What is involved in PHPM 504?

• Field-based applied experience
• Placement negotiated by you to meet your career
  and learning objectives
• Minimum of 3 credits 1 day or 10 hrs per week
  over one quarter plus research and writing time
  (100 total hours)
• Or 6 credits 1 day per week or 10 hrs/wk over
  two quarters plus research and writing time (200
  total hours)
• Develop final product AND Internship report

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How do I find an Internship?

• Information on program listservs
• Department website http//www.ohsu.edu/public-he
  alth/education/mph/intern_sites.doc
• Suggestions from your faculty advisor or other
  faculty
• Your own contacts develop your own idea!
• Conduct informational interviews
• A special project arrangement at the organization
  where you work (NOT your regular duties and job)

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How do I determine a relevant Internship
project?

• Something of interest to you
• AND
• Something of interest and relevance to the field
  site
• Work that integrates across the curriculum
• MUST include data analysis (not just descriptive
  statistics)
• Can complete within timeframe available
• Must have relevant expertise/coursework
• For example, do not take on a project if you have
  not taken a course or do not have relevant
  expertise

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Where have students found internships in the past?

• Oregon Public Health Division
• CDRC
• Multnomah County
• Washington County
• Providence Health System
• OHSU departments and clinical research center
• OMPRO
• Rotary International - eye information
• International contacts

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What is a preceptor?

• A preceptor is your site supervisor
• Preceptors provide guidance while you are at the
  site
• Preceptors may provide research expertise and/or
  data sources for a thesis
• Preceptors do not replace your program advisor

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Can I get paid?

• Not expected/required
• May be negotiated between student and field
  supervisor
• Not a condition of establishing the experience
• University usually not involved in such
  arrangements

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What needs to be done?

• Meet with your faculty advisor
• Find a placement and site preceptor
• Negotiate project(s) and expectations with site
  preceptor list learning objectives
• Complete all elements of the proposal in draft,
  email to faculty advisor, receive feedback,
  revise, and email track Director for review of
  draft.

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What needs to be done, cont.

• Sign and obtain signatures of preceptor and
  faculty advisor
• Submit revised proposal to track Director for
  approval
• Complete online registration

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What do I need to do if the data I am analyzing
might be used in my thesis or get published?

• Obtain IRB approval!
• Your thesis advisor will probably need to be the
  Principal Investigator
• You can fill out the forms
• Use the online tutorial
• Complete the forms
• Ask your thesis advisor to complete the
  submission
• Take action before you touch the data!

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Why is the learning contract (proposal) so
important?

• Allows you to define a relevant learning
  experience
• Builds upon your own career, skills and graduate
  education
• Defines your expectations and those of the field
  supervisor/preceptor
• Protects you
• Basis for final reflection and evaluation

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How do I write learning objectives?

• What will be different about you as a result of
  what you learn/do in the Internship experience?
• State in terms of new/enhanced knowledge, skills,
  competencies
• 4-5 objectives that integrate across your courses
  completed to date
• Define tasks for each learning objective
• List in proposal form see examples

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Writing learning objectives

• Learning objectives should
• Describe the performance of a major cognitive
  skill (knowledge, comprehension, application,
  analysis, synthesis, and/or evaluation).
  Students should pay particular attention to the
  latter three in developing their objectives.
• Begin with an action verb that matches the means
  of performance assessment.
• Describe the intended outcome or product, not the
  process.
• Be measurable.
• Address a single activity in each objective.

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Translation of skills into objectives
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Sample learning objectives

• Determine data necessary to assess and develop
  recommendations for program
• Attend staff meetings regarding outbreak
  investigations
• Develop tools and identify resources for
  implementation of final products.
• Analyze X data to look for patterns of X.
• Prepare a report on these results for the site.
  Demonstrate relevant subject/industry knowledge
  through including literature review as part of
  the agency report.

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What are the final products?

• 1 Product of work completed
• Written documentation for organization including
• Outcomes and accomplishments
• Processes and challenges
• 2 Reflective final report based upon the
  experience use categories of report--includes
• New insights into work, career directions
• Thoughts about relevant coursework
• Thoughts on accomplishment of objectives
• Attach work product if desired

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What are the report components?

• Apply population-based concepts of epidemiology
  and risk determination to the assessment of
  health problems
• Apply evidence-based knowledge of health
  determinants to public health issues
• Apply and interpret a variety of statistical
  methods
• Identify ethical problems that arise

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Report components, cont.

• Identify cultural dimensions of conducting
  research
• What specific lessons did you carry away from
  this experience regarding epidemiology or
  biostatistics and its application?
• What were the benefits for you and for the agency
  of this internship?
• Preceptors assessment and grade recommendation

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What can I do to make sure it is a good
experience?

• Clarify your objectives with the preceptor and
  your advisor
• Do what you say you are going to do in a timely
  manner
• Follow professional standards (HIPAA, Respect,
  dress, etc.) -- Act as if you were a job
  applicant!
• If you have any problems or questions, contact
  your advisor and/or the track Director.

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How do I register for PHPM 504?

• Complete all the pre-work for the proposal and
  obtain signatures
• Register online
• May register for 3-6 credits in one quarter, or 3
  credits each in 2 consecutive quarters
• Complete 1 registration (3-6 credits) or 2
  registrations for 2 quarters (3 credits each)
• If you do not plan to complete in one quarter,
  specify separate objectives for each quarter so
  you do not need to take an Incomplete or do not
  register until the quarter in which you intend to
  finish. However, get your proposal approved in
  advance!

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What are the deadlines?

• Must meet registration deadlines
• Must submit an acceptable proposal prior to the
  beginning of classes
• To receive a final grade, must submit all final
  reports in hard copy to the MPH Education office
  by the last day of finals week.

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Incompletes

• Incompletes will only be assigned if there are
  extenuating circumstances beyond your control
  (e.g., illness, death in the family, etc.).
• A petition for Incomplete must be completed and
  signed by the student and the track Director.
• Incompletes automatically become Fs if not
  completed within one quarter.

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How is the grade determined?

• Graded Pass/Fail
• Pass Satisfactory Internship report documenting
  work and products and thorough written reflection
  on
• Accomplishment of learning objectives
• Insights about relevant previous coursework
• Preceptors recommended assessment of students
  progress
• Fail if insufficient documentation
• Track Director will provide guidance if
  performance is insufficient

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Who is the faculty member overseeing PHPM 504 and
deciding the final grade?

• Katie Riley, Director of the Epidemiology and
  Biostatistics track, rileyk_at_ohsu.edu

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Most important things to remember

• Plan ahead to select placement
• Your first draft of the proposal may need
  revision for clarity
• Allow time to revise proposal prior to
  registration
• Allow adequate time to conduct, complete and
  document your project(s) in order to submit
  materials in time for deadlines

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Additional learning opportunities

• Take this opportunity to
• Develop your career goals
• Write your resume
• Develop a presentation for the Oregon MPH Student
  Symposium

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How do I write career goals?

• Articulate what you want to do in the near-term
• Articulate where you want to be in 5 years in
  terms of professional work
• Consider potential
• Titles
• Settings
• Responsibilities
• 2-3 pages in length

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How do I write a resume?

• Online resources for writing/updating your
  resume
• http//promotions.monster.com/keywordjobsearch/?s_
  kwcidresume20preparation717481999 (Monster
  resource)
• http//www.resume-resource.com/
• (Yahoo resource)

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For questions further information

• Katie Riley
• 503-494-2556, rileyk_at_ohsu.edu
• Good Luck!!!