Public Health Practice in Canada Help Build the Future Pan Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice & Capital Health Core Competencies Workshop Debert, Nova Scotia September 23, 2009 This project has been made possible through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada

Outline Pan Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice  Foundation  Consultation  Conclusions/Recommendations Capital Health - a tangible application of the Core Competencies

The Foundation Pan-Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice

National Response Ministers of Health, June 2004 –10-year action plan to strengthen public health Public Health Human Resource Task Group –Pan-Canadian framework to strengthen public health capacity & ensure a competent workforce Pan-Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice

Established in early 2006 Strategic guidance, expert advice and leadership to enhance public health nutrition practice in Canada. Leaders from public health nutrition from across Canada Funding support from the Public Health Agency of Canada through Dietitians of Canada Pan-Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice

Task Force Objectives 1. Define public health nutrition practice in Canada. 2. Investigate and report on the need for discipline specific public health nutrition competency sets/frameworks. 3. Explore an organizational structure that can provide leadership for public health nutrition practice issues in Canada. Pan-Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice

Milestone Achievements Action Plan for the Task Force Situational Assessment Communications Competency Mapping Consultation  Recommendations for Action (pending) (Available via the DC Website) Pan-Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice

The Consulation Pan-Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice

From Research to Action Discussion document: Strengthening Public Health Nutrition Practice in Canada Proposed definition of practice Identification of public health nutrition competencies Suggestions for organizational supports

Principles for Consultation  Inclusive  Transparent  Flexible  Meaningful  Rigorous Pan-Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice

Mechanisms for Consultation 1. Pilot Consultation (2008 DC Conference) 2. Pan Canadian Consultation a) Discussion Groups b) Independent Written Surveys c) Written Submissions, s Supported by Angus Reid Strategies Pan-Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice

Participation in Consultation 1. Pilot Consultation a) 103 dietitans and educators (67 and 36 respectively) 2. National Consultation a) 20 discussion groups b) 297 completed surveys c) 11 s Pan-Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice

Public Health Nutrition: Building on what’s already out there  The Core Competencies for Public Health in Canada: Release 1.0 (2007)  The Essential Competencies for Dietetic Practice (2006) developed by provincial dietetics regulatory bodies  The Competencies for the Entry-Level Dietitian (1996) and knowledge statements (1997) from Dietitians of Canada and  Provincial and International Public Health Nutrition Competencies (Toronto, NS, US, UK, Australia) Pan-Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice

The six additional competencies Pan-Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice Determinants of a population’s nutritional status Knowledge of food systems Food and nutrition surveillance and monitoring Development of public policy Ethical resources Environmental and ecological integrity

Proposed Competency Set for Pan Canadian Consultation Core Competencies for Public Health in Canada: Release Dietetic Competencies (ie Dietitians of Canada and Provincial Regulatory Bodies) + 6 Additional Competencies _______________________________________________________________________________________ = Public Health Nutrition Competencies Pan-Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice

How much do you support this proposal? Strongly support Moderately support Moderately oppose Strongly oppose Don’t know Oppose: 9% Support: 88% Pan-Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice

The Recommendations Pan-Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice

Proposed Recommendations 1.use def'n to shape the future direction of public health nutrition practice; 2.update dietetic competencies to provide a foundation for desired public health nutrition practice; 3.ensure all dietetic students and/or interns are exposed to public health... 4.support new hires and existing staff to acquire the updated dietetic competencies...; 5.define and promote advanced level public health nutrition practice; and 6.There are additional supports at the national level for public health nutrition practice,... and integrated with other disciplines. Pan-Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice

An example of a practical application of the Core Competencies  Public Health, Capital District has been using the domains of the core competencies for hiring purposes.  Specifically in the Interview guide.  Promising Tangible application of the Core Competencies.

Thank You! Questions?