scholarly journals Public health nutrition workforce composition, core functions, competencies and capacity: perspectives of advanced-level practitioners in Australia

2003 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 607-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Public Health Workforce ◽  
Strategy Development ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Public Health Nutrition ◽  
Advanced Level ◽  
The Public ◽  
Workforce Capacity ◽  
Workforce Composition

AbstractObjectives:To investigate the attitudes, experiences and beliefs of advanced-level public health nutritionists with respect to public health nutrition workforce composition, core functions, competency requirements and existing workforce capacity.Design:Qualitative study using structured interviews.Setting:Australia.Subjects:Forty-one advanced-level public health nutritionists employed in academic and senior technocratic positions in state health systems.Results:Advanced-level public health nutritionists recognise the diversity of the public health nutrition workforce but clearly identify the need for a specialist public health nutrition workforce tier to provide workforce leadership. Nominated core functions for public health nutrition reflect broader public health core functions but, in the context of nutrition, specific problem resolution. Opinions about competency needs were similar to many of the cross-cutting competencies identified in the public health field but with specific application to nutrition problems. Competency in the scientific underpinning of nutrition was considered particularly important and delineated this public health nutrition workforce from the broader public health workforce. Public health nutrition was identified as a specialisation within public health and dietetics. Workforce capacity assessments by this group indicate a need for workforce development.Conclusions:Qualitative data from a large proportion of the Australian public health nutrition leadership group have identified core functions, competencies and workforce development priorities that can be a basis for further systematic research and workforce strategy development.

scholarly journals Workforce development in South Africa with a focus on public health nutrition

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 792-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelia P Steyn ◽  
Xikombiso G Mbhenyane
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Primary Health Care System ◽  
Public Health Nutrition ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
The Public ◽  
Aids Epidemic ◽  
National Human

AbstractObjectivesThe present paper aims to review and report on the current and predicted future public health nutrition workforce in South Africa. Additionally, it examines ways in which the Department of Health (DOH) is striving to meet the increasing burden of nutrition-related diseases in South Africa.MethodsThe primary sources of data used for the review were reports from the Census office, South African health reviews, mortality and morbidity statistics, and documents from the Health Professions Council of South Africa.ResultsThere are fewer than 2000 registered dietitians in South Africa and fewer than 600 of them work in the public health sector. Furthermore, professional nurses – who are the backbone of the primary health-care system and deliver the rudiments of basic nutritional care – are not being trained in sufficient numbers to meet population growth; in 2004 there was only one nurse per 4000 persons. This situation is aggravated by the growing burden of conditions associated with both overnutrition and undernutrition, as well as the enormous demands of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The DOH is striving to meet these increasing needs by means of the Integrated Nutrition Programme as well as a National Human Resources Plan which includes numerous strategies to improve the quantity and quality of health professionals’ training, including dietitians and nutritionists. This plan includes the objective of increasing the public health nutrition workforce to more than 250 newly trained dietitians and nutritionists per annum by 2010.

scholarly journals The role of mentoring in public health nutrition workforce development. Perspectives of advanced-level practitioners

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 801-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Palermo ◽  
Louise McCall
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Postgraduate Education ◽  
Career Pathways ◽  
Mentoring Relationships ◽  
Public Health Nutrition ◽  
Competency Development ◽  
Advanced Level

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the nature, role and utility of mentoring in the development of competence in advanced-level Australian public health nutritionists.DesignQualitative study using in-depth interviews.Subjects and settingEighteen advanced-level public health nutritionists working in academic and practice settings in Australia.ResultsThe attributes and career pathways of the subjects were consistent with previous findings. Dissatisfaction with clinical practice was a key reason for choosing a career in public health. Experiential learning, postgraduate education and mentoring from both peers and senior colleagues were the most significant contributors to competency development. The subjects supported mentoring as an important strategy for public health nutrition workforce development and articulated the characteristics and models important for mentoring relationships in public health nutrition.ConclusionsThe present study suggests mentoring was an important part of competency development for advanced-level public health and community nutritionists in Australia. Mentoring programmes based on experiential learning may assist in developing public health nutrition workforce competence.

scholarly journals Core functions for the public health nutrition workforce in Europe: a consensus study

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 1999-2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svandis Jonsdottir ◽  
Inga Thorsdottir ◽  
Susanna Kugelberg ◽  
Agneta Yngve ◽  
Nicholas P Kennedy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Public Health Workforce ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Public Health Nutrition ◽  
High Agreement ◽  
The Public ◽  
Modified Delphi ◽  
Effective Public Health ◽  
Further Development

AbstractObjectiveTo assess and develop a consensus among a European panel of public health nutrition workforce stakeholders (academics and employers) regarding core functions required for effective public health nutrition practice.DesignA modified Delphi study involving data from two rounds of questionnaires administered among a panel of public health nutrition workforce stakeholders.SettingEurope.SubjectsA panel of fifty-three public health nutrition development stakeholders, including thirty-three academics and twenty employers, sampled from eighteen European countries.ResultsPanellists rated 50 % (19/38) of the initially listed functions as core (i.e. without which public health capacity is limited), using a majority cut-off (>50 %). Out of the nineteen core functions seven were categorised under the headingIntervention management, emphasising high agreement on the importance of managing interventions in public health nutrition work. Only one of the identified core public health nutrition functions was rated differently between academics and employers, suggesting consistent identification of core functions between stakeholder groups.ConclusionsThis consensus on core functions of the public health nutrition workforce in Europe can be used to promote a consistent understanding of the role and value of public health nutritionists as a discrete disciplinary sub-specialty of the public health workforce. The convergence of opinions of academics and employers, as well as comparison with previous international studies, indicates that there is a set of core public health nutrition functions transferable between countries that can be used as a benchmark to guide further development of the public health nutrition workforce in Europe.

scholarly journals Nutritionists as Policy Advocates: The Case of Obesity Prevention in Quebec, Canada

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-34
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Wassef ◽  
François Champagne ◽  
Lambert Farand
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Public Health Nutrition ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
The Public ◽  
Policy Actors ◽  
Obesity Policy ◽  
Key Policy

Abstract Objective A core function of the public health nutrition workforce is advocacy. Little is known of the nutritionists’ role in policymaking from a policy process theory perspective. This study analyzes the nutritionists’ role in advocating for a six-year governmental plan on obesity prevention in Quebec, Canada. Design We conducted qualitative research using Quebec´s obesity policy as a case study to understand the role of nutritionists in advocating for obesity prevention policies. A conceptual framework combining the Advocacy Coalition Framework with a political analysis model based on the Theory of the Strategic Actor was developed to analyze the beliefs, interests, and strategies of policy actors including nutritionists. Data sources comprised semi-structured open-ended interviews with key policy actors (n=25), including eight nutritionists (32%), and policy-related documents (n=267). Data analysis involved thematic coding and analysis using NVivo 11 Pro. Setting Quebec, Canada Participants Key policy actors including nutritionists Results Nutritionists formed the core of the dominant public health coalition. They advocated for an inter-sectoral governmental plan to prevent obesity through enabling environments. Their advocacy, developed through an iterative process, comprised creating a think tank and reinforcing partnerships with key policy actors, conducting research and developing evidence, communicating policy positions and advocacy materials, participating in deliberative forums and negotiating an agreement with other coalitions in the policy subsystem. Conclusion Nutritionists’ advocacy influenced agenda-setting and policy formulation. This research may contribute to empowering the public health nutrition workforce and strengthening its advocacy practices. It informs practitioners and researchers concerned with obesity policy and workforce development.

scholarly journals The public health nutrition intervention management bi-cycle: a model for training and practice improvement

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 1981-1988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Hughes ◽  
Barrie Margetts
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Nutrition Intervention ◽  
Public Health Nutrition ◽  
Competency Development ◽  
Practice Improvement ◽  
The Public ◽  
Critical Feedback ◽  
Learning Principles ◽  
Nutrition Practice

AbstractObjectiveThe present paper describes a model for public health nutrition practice designed to facilitate practice improvement and provide a step-wise approach to assist with workforce development.DesignThe bi-cycle model for public health nutrition practice has been developed based on existing cyclical models for intervention management but modified to integrate discrete capacity-building practices.SettingEducation and practice settings.SubjectsThis model will have applications for educators and practitioners.ResultsModifications to existing models have been informed by the authors’ observations and experiences as practitioners and educators, and reflect a conceptual framework with applications in workforce development and practice improvement. From a workforce development and educational perspective, the model is designed to reflect adult learning principles, exposing students to experiential, problem-solving and practical learning experiences that reflect the realities of work as a public health nutritionist. In doing so, it assists the development of competency beyond knowing to knowing how, showing how and doing. This progression of learning from knowledge to performance is critical to effective competency development for effective practice.ConclusionsPublic health nutrition practice is dynamic and varied, and models need to be adaptable and applicable to practice context to have utility. The paper serves to stimulate debate in the public health nutrition community, to encourage critical feedback about the validity, applicability and utility of this model in different practice contexts.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Education for Public Health: A Practical Foundation for Solidarity

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Perkiö ◽  
R Harrison ◽  
M Grivna ◽  
D Tao ◽  
C Evashwich
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
Public Health Workforce ◽  
Rigorous Evaluation ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Professionals

Abstract Education is a key to creating solidary among the professionals who advance public health’s interdisciplinary mission. Our assumption is that if all those who work in public health shared core knowledge and the skills for interdisciplinary interaction, collaboration across disciplines, venues, and countries would be facilitated. Evaluation of education is an essential element of pedagogy to ensure quality and consistency across boundaries, as articulated by the UNESCO education standards. Our study examined the evaluation studies done by programs that educate public health professionals. We searched the peer reviewed literature published in English between 2000-2017 pertaining to the education of the public health workforce at a degree-granting level. The 2442 articles found covered ten health professions disciplines and had lead authors representing all continents. Only 86 articles focused on evaluation. The majority of the papers examined either a single course, a discipline-specific curriculum or a teaching method. No consistent methodologies could be discerned. Methods ranged from sophisticated regression analyses and trends tracked over time to descriptions of focus groups and interviews of small samples. We found that evaluations were primarily discipline-specific, lacked rigorous methodology in many instances, and that relatively few examined competencies or career expectations. The public health workforce enjoys a diversity of disciplines but must be able to come together to share diverse knowledge and skills. Evaluation is critical to achieving a workforce that is well trained in the competencies pertinent to collaboration. This study informs the pedagogical challenges that must be confronted going forward, starting with a commitment to shared core competencies and to consistent and rigorous evaluation of the education related to training public health professionals. Key messages Rigorous evaluation is not sufficiently used to enhance the quality of public health education. More frequent use of rigorous evaluation in public health education would enhance the quality of public health workforce, and enable cross-disciplinary and international collaboration for solidarity.

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