The Initial Phase of Role Delineation for Health Education: A Summary Report

Abstract

The Role Delineation Project was undertaken to begin the process of systematically investigating and laying a foundation for establishing a credentialing process for health educators. The project was supported by a contract between the Division of Associated Health Professions, Bureau of Health Manpower, Department of Health and Human Services (formerly Department of Health, Education and Welfare), and the National Center for Health Education. The contract, completed January 31, 1980, required initial development of responsibilities and functions for the role of an entry-level health educator. Skills and knowledge for each function were specified, and entry-level was initially defined.

Project staff carried out the contract, under the direction of an advisory committee, primarily representing national constituencies of health educators, and with the assistance of a working committee composed of experienced health educators from school, community, and medical care settings. Staff and the working committee used professional preparation literature, job descriptions, and their expertise to develop the role. It was hypothesized that there was only one entry-level role for a health educator which was common to all practice settings. Seven areas of responsibilities, with attendant functions, skills, and knowledge, were developed to encompass the entry-level role. Consensus was used as the decision-making method. The role was developed in a form amenable to developing criterion-referenced proficiency examinations from it.

The first phase of the role delineation process generated a comprehensive description of the entry-level health educator's role. Subsequent efforts will verify and modify the initial role specification to ensure accuracy for future credentialing purposes.