Naomi E. Ervin

Preventing adverse outcomes: a population focus.

This article discusses the concept of risk from an epidemiological viewpoint as well as that of vulnerable populations. Three components of resource availability are pertinent to the concept of risk of a population: social status, social capital, and human capital. These components are illustrated through an example of a project to reduce preventable adverse health outcomes and increase competency in self-care among residents of an inner-city community. Activities and outcomes of the project are discussed.

Problem‐based learning in an interdisciplinary community‐based primary care course

Developing community‐based educational experiences that prepare health professions students to become more effective practitioners is a critical challenge for academic health centers. This article describes a course that used problem‐based learning (PBL), primary care practice, and a student‐directed intervention project to teach interdisciplinary, community‐based primary care. From this course, we learned that PBL is an effective and readily accepted method for interdisciplinary education. Additionally, we found that repeated and varied student interaction with the community provides the best opportunity for community education.

Collaboration as an Organizational Process

Successful collaboration does not happen by chance. An understanding of organizations and systems, and planned preventive and corrective actions are needed. These two different experiences with health departments in two different states have helped elucidate the relevant principles and provided examples that may be useful to others in building collaborative research relationships.