What's New!

WHAT'S NEW!!

CUP Status Report (June, 1999)

The Competencies Update Project Advisory Committee (CUPAC) held its second full-scale meeting in Reston, Virginia on April 30-May 2, 1999. The CUPAC is comprised of representatives from the major health education organizations in the United States, with the purpose of reverifying the entry-level health education competencies, and further delineating and verifying the advanced-level competencies derived from the Joint Committee report, "A Competency-Based Framework for Graduate-Level Health Educators." The recent CUPAC deliberations included a review of the findings from the three CUPAC workgroups which were established at its January meeting in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

The Levels of Practice Workgroup, following a review of the competency distinctions used by other professions, recommended that the terminology of "entry-level" and "advanced-level" competencies be used. the Resources Workgroup, which continues with its deliberations, reported on budgetary matters, available resources, and recommendations for external support. The Proposed New Competencies Workgroup provided written reports on potential additional, and increased skill-level, health education competencies. During its deliberations, the CUPAC also reviewed and commented on the (1) competency statements, (2) draft entry-level and advanced-level survey instruments for the pilot phase, and (3) various draft items for ongoing communication and research administration.

In order to continue with the CUP process, it was determined that new workgroups will be established: Competencies, and Sampling/List Acquisition. Additionally, a proposed Content Workgroup will begin to address how content is embedded into the competencies. The Resources Workgroup is to continue with its original charge. In the near future, a Major Research Methodology Workgroup is planned in order to develop the research design for the major research phase of the CUP. During the Summer of 1999, each CUPAC member will seek out one entry-level and one advanced-level health education practitioner, have each one take the draft survey instrument, and then comment on the instrument via a debriefing process (Pilot Phase I). Pilot Phase II will follow, with the implementation of the revised survey instrument to a sample population representing multiple health education practitioner settings. The major research phase is projected to take place starting in the Fall of 1999. This national effort will continue into the year 2000, resulting in a projected preliminary report to the profession in the Fall of 2000.

Overall, the representative nature of the CUPAC, with consistent membership from the major health education organizations, has resulted in highly deliberative review and developmental processes for the early phases of the project. This approach will be essential as the project moves into the major research implementation, analysis, and reporting phases.

For more information about the Competencies Update Project, please visit the webpage at http://www.nchec.org/cupproj.htm or contact spatterson@wcupa.edu.

Revised June 9, 1999, Mark Tomita
Health Education Professional Resources
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