The PHTN is a network of
public, private, academic, and
business organizations that are
united by a common vision: to
develop a public health
workforce able and motivated to
apply the current knowledge of
disease prevention, thus
reducing human suffering,
improving community health, and
containing health care costs.
Each of the following PHTN
activities provides ample
opportunity for collaboration
between new and existing PHTN
partners.
By continuously assessing
training needs of current and
future audiences, PHTN ensures
that the curriculum offered
addresses priority,
job-relevant training
needs.
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PHTN develops training
products to meet identified
needs using the most
cost-effective methods to move
information and ideas rather
than people. PHTN products
include interactive multimedia,
videotapes, live audio
conferences, and live satellite
videoconferences, as well as
print-based self-instructional
courses.
Instructional specialists at
CDC work with content experts
at CDC and university schools
of public health to develop
products. Through these
collaborative efforts,
prevention experts share their
valuable knowledge efficiently,
effectively, and economically
with practicing public health
professionals nationwide, thus
accelerating the process in
which proven prevention
techniques can be put into
practice.
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To ensure that those who
need the training know what is
available and how to request
it, PHTN relies on a
multi-pronged approach to
deliver time-sensitive product
information to prospective
students in communities
nationwide.
Distance learning products
are announced through a
toll-free 800 number
(1-800-41-TRAIN) and through a
catalog that is available both
in hard copy and on-line. Our
on-line methods include the
PHTN Web Site
(http://www.cdc.gov/phtn) and
WONDER/PC (CDC's mainframe
on-line information
system).
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PHTN audiences range from
clinic nurses to health
officers to TB outreach workers
and frequently have included
active duty military.
PHTN provides a toll-free
800 number and on-line
information to facilitate
ordering print-based self-study
courses, interactive
multimedia, 35mm slides series,
and videotapes and obtaining
information on other PHTN
distance learning activities.
State partners arrange for
downlink sites for
videoconferences, for
distribution of pre-course
materials, and for site
facilitators. CDC makes
videotapes of satellite
videoconferences available for
persons who were unable to
participate in the live
events.
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Providing support to the
"learner at a distance" is
especially critical given the
geographic distance between
faculty and students. To ensure
that the distance does not
negatively affect learning,
PHTN has established Learning
Communities that include PHTN
state distance learning
coordinators, videoconference
site facilitators, and
self-study group leaders to
provide guidance to
participants in PHTN distance
learning activities.
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Enrolled participants who
successfully complete PHTN
training receive a certificate
of participation and are
eligible to receive Continuing
Education Units (CEU),
Continuing Nursing Education
(CNE) credits or Continuing
Medical Education (CME) credits
, as appropriate. In some
instances, other accrediting
agencies also award credits for
PHTN training.
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PHTN training is evaluated
at all stages of development
and delivery. Formative
evaluation is used during the
development of the training to
ensure that the content and
design are appropriate for the
intended audience. Process
evaluation is carried out by
collecting information from
participants, state training
coordinators, and site
facilitators. Learning outcomes
are measured through final
exams.
Strategies for assessing the
impact of PHTN products on
health agency operations,
delivery of essential public
health services, and
translation of these new skills
to prevention programs at the
community level are implemented
through PHTN.
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This page last reviewed: August 24, 2004
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