Friday, September 30, 2016
Linking Theory to Practice
There was a discussion question raised in this week’s class regarding how we can link the theories that we are exposed to from our education and linking it to practice as Public Health professionals. We can often get wrapped up in our studies so much so they we may often forget why we are doing what we’re doing, but it is great to contemplate the purpose of all we are being exposed to. I like to think of it as training, we are in specified programs with specific course requirements to go out into the field that we each desire and utilize what we have learned. As such, it is important for us as students to take the initiative in asking ourselves “how can I use this when I am out in the field?”; whatever ‘field’ that may be, whether it be as researchers, community health workers, doctors etc.
So in reflecting on my research interests and linking to practice, I found this great article on linking CBT (Cognitive- Behavioral Techniques) to improve breastfeeding rates in a marginalized community in Pakistan (Rahman et al., 2012). Here, the researchers aimed to integrate CBT into the maternal counselling programs that were carried out by the community health workers (CHW). After conducting qualitative research, Rahman et al, (2012) were able to identify the cultural behaviors and practices that shaped breastfeeding attitudes and used this data to design a counselling program using cognitive-behavioral techniques. The CBTs included integrating organized dialogue between the health worker and the mother into the counselling practices; dialogues were based on various elements such as establishing a CHW and patient relationship, brainstorming sessions for problem solving and reflection, as well as timed session visits based on infant’s age. After assessing the CHW’s feedback on the intervention after implementation, it was found that the program was useful and had a positive influence on increasing the exclusive breastfeeding rate within the community (Rahman et al., 2012).
Articles such as this made me realize the importance for public health workers and researchers to critically analyze the theories that we are exposed to in order to be able to utilize them and translate them into the work that we do. Behaviors and attitudes are what shapes the health outcomes in any population, whether it be towards breastfeeding practices or deciding on a health policy for a given country. By understanding the theories behind behavior change or psychology as a whole, we can positively influence how communities, government workers, and other healthcare professionals see intervention programs and utilize them to their full advantage.
Reference
Rahman, A., Haq, Z., Sikander, S., Ahmad, I., Ahmad, M., & Hafeez, A. (2012). Using cognitive-behavioural techniques to improve exclusive breastfeeding in a low-literacy disadvantaged population. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 8(1), 57–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8709.2011.00362.x
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Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is hard sometimes while we are so busy with just trying to get all of our reading and work done, we often forget to think about why we are doing it and what we are really learning from it. Our mission tends to be, get it done, turn it in, get the grade, and graduate. But, like you said, when we do graduate we need to know how to incorporate what we learned into our careers. I also believe that theories are very important, especially when it comes to health. I am in a health behavior theory class this semester and have been learning so many different theories. The task of getting someone to change a behavior is very difficult, involves many different aspects (attitudes, motivation, and environment to name a few) and is not the same for everyone. It is important to use theory to have the highest chance of succeeding in your intervention. Using an atheoretical approach is not likely to work. Although I enjoy learning these theories in class, I think we should be learning how to actually implement them and learning what theory works best in different situations.
Amy and Hannah, thank you for addressing this point. We aren't learning these things just for the sake of it; they will be useful to us someday! Even though I have only been in the MPH program for a few weeks now, I have already learned so many things that I know will make me a better doctor someday. Sometimes in theory-based classes (as opposed to the lab sciences I spent my time in for most of my undergrad degree), it seems frustrating to me to waste time on definitions and broad generalities like theories when what I really want to be learning is what exactly I'm supposed to be doing in my job someday! But that isn't realistic: every position is different, and on-the-job training is always necessary to some extent. The definitions, the theories, the context of public and global health in which we will work and live, the thoughts of the best and brightest minds in our field, those are the things we can learn now, and they will apply across the various careers that each of us will have. At least for me, the MPH program is teaching me a perspective from which to approach my future endeavors in various, specific health interventions. Thanks for making me think about this!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy, Hannah & Sydney
ReplyDeleteActually I agree that theories are highly important for public health professiobals, doctors, dentists, nurses and in most specialities that deal with humanbeings.
Human behaviours are dynamic and influenced by many factors. Theories give us the tools that we can efficiently utilized in our practice. Actually, I had some background on theories as I used to apply most of them in my work in the dental public health field while being in my home country. However; I felt the limitations of some of these theories when taken as it is to be applied in the practical field. As I mentioned earlier, human nature is dynamic so dealing with humans requires innovations. That is why I am more towards utilizing our own coceptual models by taking different constructs from different theories which suit the situation and the targeted people.
I am currently taking the theoritical foundation of health behavior class & I am really enjoying it. Knowing the theoritical basics along with the applications and limitations is highly crucial & beneficial. I believe that this is an important strong background that I must have as a dentist and a public health professional. In my opinion, It is the essential theoritical base for the practical application.