A Public Health-Academic Education Partnership

This article presents an academic-public health partnership needs assessment. Given the many health systems changes, the Delaware Division of Public Health and the University of Delaware joined forces to study partnership options and public health staff's education needs. This assessment was the first phase of a four-stage, multiyear research-service partnership. The top three education needs identified by the sample (n = 36) of public health staff were (1) community assessment, (2) partnership building, and (3) core functions. Distance education formats were selected as the most popular choice for education updates. Findings support the need for continued education and the use of academic-government partnerships as an education-service delivery resource. Perceived benefits of academic-public health partnerships include staff training, student learning opportunities, improved community services, and increased collaborative research.