The PHTN is a network of public, private, academic, and business organizations that are united by a common vision: to develop a public health workforce able and motivated to apply the current knowledge of disease prevention, thus reducing human suffering, improving community health, and containing health care costs. Each of the following PHTN activities provides ample opportunity for collaboration between new and existing PHTN partners.

By continuously assessing training needs of current and future audiences, PHTN ensures that the curriculum offered addresses priority, job-relevant training needs.

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PHTN develops training products to meet identified needs using the most cost-effective methods to move information and ideas rather than people. PHTN products include interactive multimedia, videotapes, live audio conferences, and live satellite videoconferences, as well as print-based self-instructional courses.

Instructional specialists at CDC work with content experts at CDC and university schools of public health to develop products. Through these collaborative efforts, prevention experts share their valuable knowledge efficiently, effectively, and economically with practicing public health professionals nationwide, thus accelerating the process in which proven prevention techniques can be put into practice.

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To ensure that those who need the training know what is available and how to request it, PHTN relies on a multi-pronged approach to deliver time-sensitive product information to prospective students in communities nationwide.

Distance learning products are announced through a toll-free 800 number (1-800-41-TRAIN) and through a catalog that is available both in hard copy and on-line. Our on-line methods include the PHTN Web Site (http://www.cdc.gov/phtn) and WONDER/PC (CDC's mainframe on-line information system).

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PHTN audiences range from clinic nurses to health officers to TB outreach workers and frequently have included active duty military.

PHTN provides a toll-free 800 number and on-line information to facilitate ordering print-based self-study courses, interactive multimedia, 35mm slides series, and videotapes and obtaining information on other PHTN distance learning activities. State partners arrange for downlink sites for videoconferences, for distribution of pre-course materials, and for site facilitators. CDC makes videotapes of satellite videoconferences available for persons who were unable to participate in the live events.

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Providing support to the "learner at a distance" is especially critical given the geographic distance between faculty and students. To ensure that the distance does not negatively affect learning, PHTN has established Learning Communities that include PHTN state distance learning coordinators, videoconference site facilitators, and self-study group leaders to provide guidance to participants in PHTN distance learning activities.

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Enrolled participants who successfully complete PHTN training receive a certificate of participation and are eligible to receive Continuing Education Units (CEU), Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits or Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits , as appropriate. In some instances, other accrediting agencies also award credits for PHTN training.

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PHTN training is evaluated at all stages of development and delivery. Formative evaluation is used during the development of the training to ensure that the content and design are appropriate for the intended audience. Process evaluation is carried out by collecting information from participants, state training coordinators, and site facilitators. Learning outcomes are measured through final exams.

Strategies for assessing the impact of PHTN products on health agency operations, delivery of essential public health services, and translation of these new skills to prevention programs at the community level are implemented through PHTN.

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