A Systematic Review of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Curricula in Health Sciences

Abstract

Objectives: To further define the health promotion and disease prevention domain of the Outcomes Expected (OE) document at the University of Arizona, College of Pharmacy to make it consistent with the other domains. Also, it was aimed to make Domain 3 meet standards consistent with other health sciences curricula. Methods: This was a systematic review of all publications pertaining to health promotion or disease prevention curricula using Medline and IPA between the years 1995 and 2005. The data extraction form was developed based on a compilation of articles published in the December, 2004 issue of American Journal of Preventive Medicine which presented a framework of competencies. These consisted of four competencies: Evidence Base of Practice, Clinical Preventive Services-Health Promotion, Health Systems and Health Policy, and Community Aspects of Practice. Results: The initial search yielded a total of 197 results. Of those results, 63 articles fit within the framework of the data extraction form. Key concepts were identified after reviewing the articles and provided the basis for creating components within the competencies. Conclusion: After reviewing the literature, it is evident that the OE document needs to be changed to further define health promotion and disease prevention. The updated Domain 3 is proposed in Appendix 1 and provides components that were substantially addressed in the articles reviewed.