Public Health Workforce Trust Measures: Comparative Analysis of T1-T2 Measures across Two LHD’s and Organizational Responses to Economic Hard Times

This public health workforce research initiative expands practice-based employee trust measurement in a time-one time-two (T1 – T2) quantitative design methodology. The initiative is an expansion of previously conducted research within the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Health Departments. Tailored workforce-based quality improvement (QI) initiatives were developed and implemented within the two local health departments (LHD’s). Workforce-based QI was a product of strategic initiatives defined by leadership of both health departments and informed by a critical review of the data collected in 2008. Analysis of additional independent variables and interaction terms were evaluated and are presented for supervisor/employee race concordance. In February of 2010 the T-2 measurement within both LHD’s was completed. Retest measurement following QI intervention is vital in evaluating trust relationship change and is intended to serve as a quality improvement indicator. In addition to the T1-T2 employee trust measurement, unanticipated findings associated with anticipated reduction in workforce within study sites is presented.