Advancing the Profession: Physical Activity Practitioners
in Public Health
Eydie Abercrombie
ACSM Project Lead
Why do we wantCredentialing?
Strategic Goals
By end of 2009:
The society will elevate the profession of
physical activity in public health by
developing a credentialing process
Keys to Advancing Any Profession
Difficult to find a health profession in the United States since late 19th century that has become established without following the evolution of three key concepts.
Keys to Advancing Any Profession
1. Defining the scope of the profession
2. Defining what the professional should know and
be able to do
3. Providing an examination and recognition
Keys to Advancing Any Profession
1. Defining the scope of the profession
– Scope of practice: Describing what the practitioner will do, at one or more levels of expertise
Keys to Advancing Any Profession
2. Defining what the professional should know and
be able to do
– Body of knowledge: Describing what the professional should know
– The “Complete” Professional: Describing what the professional should be able to demonstrate altogether in knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs)
– Pathway: Describing the route or routes of preparation via academic work and/or experience
Keys to Advancing Any Profession
3. Establishing an examination and recognition
– Certification: Describing a process for testing based on KSAs
– Recognition: Describing and promoting professional recognition for those who have passed a credible examination
Immediate Plans• Will launch a process to achieve this model to advance our
profession– Partnering with the American College of Sports Medicine, a
leading and independently accredited certification body
• Deliverables will be the key elements of a scope of practice, definition of the professional, and a top-quality examination and professional recognition
• Will commence this summer with the examination becoming available in the second half of 2008
Conceptual Plan
• Assemble the subject matter experts• Develop project scope and timeline• Determine the competence and eligibility criteria• Training on exam writing skills• Draft exam• Beta Test• Exam revisions• Launch live exam
Core Group
• Eydie Abercrombie• Amber Dallman• Brian Ritacco• Lori Schneider• Maya Mohan
• Jill Pfankuch• Linda Scovern• Chris Kimber –
Advisor & Alternate• Jackie Epping –
Advisor
Ongoing Plans
• Development of study material
• Workshops/training sessions
• Incorporating into academic curricula for physical activity and public health programs
Discussion &Questions?