Education and training of public health professionals in the European Region: variation and convergence

2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 801-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vesna Bjegovic-Mikanovic ◽  
Dejana Vukovic ◽  
Robert Otok ◽  
Katarzyna Czabanowska ◽  
Ulrich Laaser
2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 683-688
Author(s):  
Ulrich Laaser ◽  
Vesna Bjegovic-Mikanovic ◽  
Dejana Vukovic ◽  
Helmut Wenzel ◽  
Robert Otok ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER) is confronted with challenges to improve education for public health professionals. In this article, we attempt to answer the question: Did ASPHER members improve their organization and programmes to enable their graduates to acquire the competences to tackle the diverse areas of public health defined in the Ten Essential Public Health Operations (EPHOs)? Methods ASPHER run two surveys among its membership: In 2011, 66 Schools and Departments of Public Health (SDPHs) took part (82.5%), while in 2015–16, 78 SDPHs (81.3%). The performance of graduates was estimated using a Likert scale. Results In 2015–16, the SDPHs delivered 169 academic programmes (2.2 on average per SDPH). Among the SDPHs participating in both surveys, significant differences could not be determined, neither for the organization (except increasingly using social media) nor for teaching areas. The performance of graduates did not show significant differences except for the deterioration of EPHO-8 (‘assuring sustainable organizational structures and financing’). However, the qualitative data revealed progressive dynamics regarding innovations in the organizational set-up, digitalization, teaching/training, introduction of new modules and research. Conclusions The results generated do not allow us to state that the innovative elements introduced after the first survey in 2011 have had a clear impact reflected in the second survey carried out in 2015–16, but perhaps this is due to the need for a broader follow-up in order to objectify the potential consequences derived from the boost generated by the changes introduced.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  

Abstract Background Global health has created new challenges for education and training of health professionals. Changing demand on humanitarian aid and infection control arising from the new corona virus outbreak, antimicrobial resistance, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), immunisation gaps and care needs of refugees meet with conditions that are only since recently considered as major health threats, including gender inequality, health workforce shortage, environmental risks and climate change as well as poor mental health. These developments have resulted in high-level meetings and new policy frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, action on the ground has still to follow. Health professionals are poorly prepared to respond to new global health needs. Public health and healthcare systems face an urgent need to strengthen global health in the education and training of all groups of healthcare workers to create a future workforce, which is capable to implement the SDGs and serve the needs of the population both locally and globally. Objectives This workshop addresses these questions and fosters critical debate. It has three major Objectives: improve advocacy for global health and the SDGs, introduce different models to support and implement global health and the SDGs in health professional education, and strengthen the role of public health in global health. The workshop brings together knowledge and expertise from different countries/regions of the world, professional groups and educational institutions. It seeks to build bridges between disciplines and stakeholder groups, including giving stronger voice to students and young professionals. The workshop illustrates diversity of advocacy and action in global health education, and reveals strong demand for multidisciplinary approaches to respond to population needs. It begins with information on competencies currently valued by global health employers in relation to those developed in graduates of public health programs. This is followed by novel models of global health education, including an institutional collaboration model as West-East hub and a students' driven participatory trans-sectoral model. Further case studies illustrate the benefits of a transdisciplinary approach to respond to major health threats, such as vaccine resistance and Ebola, and the need for including the Global South in gender sensitive research and methodology. The workshop will improve networking of global health advocates. It will add value through knowledge exchange beyond the professional silos, as well as across the global North-South/ East-West. Finally, it will strengthen connections between global health and public health and build capacity for multi-professional, trans-sectoral leadership in global health education and research, which is sensitive to gender and cultural/ethnic diversity. Key messages Strengthening global health competencies in education is a key to respond effectively to new public health challenges and to implement the SGDs. There is growing demand and urgent need for multidisciplinary approaches and transnational collaboration in global health education.


2011 ◽  
Vol 101 (S1) ◽  
pp. S188-S195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew W. Kreuter ◽  
Deidre J. Griffith ◽  
Vetta Thompson ◽  
Ross C. Brownson ◽  
Stephanie McClure ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 633-637
Author(s):  
Brian A. Altman ◽  
Kelly H. Gulley ◽  
Carlo Rossi ◽  
Kandra Strauss-Riggs ◽  
Kenneth Schor

AbstractThe National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health (NCDMPH), in collaboration with over 20 subject matter experts, created a competency-based curriculum titled Caring for Older Adults in Disasters: A Curriculum for Health Professionals. Educators and trainers of health professionals are the target audience for this curriculum. The curriculum was designed to provide breadth of content yet flexibility for trainers to tailor lessons, or select particular lessons, for the needs of their learners and organizations. The curriculum covers conditions present in the older adult population that may affect their disaster preparedness, response, and recovery; issues related to specific types of disasters; considerations for the care of older adults throughout the disaster cycle; topics related to specific settings in which older adults receive care; and ethical and legal considerations. An excerpt of the final capstone lesson is included. These capstone activities can be used in conjunction with the curriculum or as part of stand-alone preparedness training. This article describes the development process, elements of each lesson, the content covered, and options for use of the curriculum in education and training for health professionals. The curriculum is freely available online at the NCDMPH website at http://ncdmph.usuhs.edu (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:633–637).


Author(s):  
A M Viens ◽  
Caroline Vass

Abstract This article reports and reflects on an element of a recent survey of UK public health professionals, specifically in relation to the Public Health Knowledge and Skills Framework (PHSKF) and the ethical requirements that underpin public health practice. Only 38.4% of respondents reported accessing the PHKSF and a mere 13.7% reported accessing the accompanying background paper on ethical public health practice. Given that ethical practice underpins the PHSKF, it is concerning that so few respondents are familiar with the PHSKF and one of the source documents. While issuing frameworks and guidance is one way to support public health practice, there is a further need for greater integration of skills and knowledge around ethical public health practice within education and training initiatives.


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