Student Behavior and Performance During Field Work Sessions for a Public Health Course

A Survey of On-Site Collaborators, 1990-92

Abstract

We conducted an opinion survey of on-site collaborators after three field work sessions during the period from 1990 to 1992. As part of our public health course, these field work sessions were implemented on a small-group basis in various settings, such as schools and local public health centers. Selfadministered questionnaires on student behavior and performance were distributed to the collaborators on the days of the student visits. Completed questionnaires were then collected by mail within a couple of weeks. The total number of respondents for the three years surveyed was 205, reflecting a response rate of 100 percent.
The following results were obtained; 1. Many collaborators admired the good behavior of the students, 2. Several respondents considered student knowledge of public health issues less adequate than they had expected, and 3. Some respondents commented on the passiveness of student involvement in their work.
These survey results provided the faculty with valuable insights on the implementation of the field work sessions.