Assessing integration of clinical and public health skills in preventive medicine residencies: using competency mapping

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the utility of a competency mapping process for assessing the integration of clinical and public health skills in a newly developed Community Health Center (CHC) rotation at the University of Michigan School of Public Health Preventive Medicine residency.

Methods: Learning objectives for the CHC rotation were derived from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core clinical preventive medicine competencies. CHC learning objectives were mapped to clinical preventive medicine competencies specific to the specialty of public health and general preventive medicine. Objectives were also mapped to The Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice's Tier-2 Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals.

Results: CHC learning objectives mapped to all four (100%) of the public health and general preventive medicine clinical preventive medicine competencies. CHC population-level learning objectives mapped to 32 (94%) of 34 competencies for public health professionals.

Conclusions: Utilizing competency mapping to assess clinical-public health integration in a new CHC rotation proved to be feasible and useful. Clinical preventive medicine learning objectives for a CHC rotation can also address public health competencies.