scholarly journals Assessing the Capacity for Public Health Education in India:  Recommendations from a Mixed Methods Landscape Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meike Schleiff ◽  
Haley Brahmbhatt ◽  
Preetika Banerjee ◽  
Megha Reddy ◽  
Emily Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Public Health Workforce ◽  
Health Training ◽  
Public Health Training ◽  
Desk Review ◽  
And Training

Abstract Background: Public health training has been expanding in India in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought additional attention to the importance of public health programs and the need for a strong workforce. This paper aims to assess the current capacity for public health education and training in India and provide recommendations for improved approaches to meet current and future public health needs. Methods: We conducted a desk review of public health training programs via extensive internet searches, literature reviews and expert faculty consultations. Among those programs, we purposively selected faculty members to participate in in-depth interviews. We developed summary statistics based on the desk review. For qualitative analysis, we utilized a combination of deductive and inductive coding to identify key themes and systematically reviewed strengths and weaknesses for each theme. Results: The desk review captured 59 institutions offering public health training across India. The majority of training programs were graduate level degrees including master of public health (MPH) and master of science (MS) degrees. Key themes included collaborations, mentorship, curriculum standardization, tuition and funding, and student demand for public health education and careers. Collaborations and mentorship were highly valued but varied in quality across institutions. Curricula lacked standardization but also contained substantial flexibility and innovation as a result. Public sector programs were affordable and student stipend varied across institutions. Further development of the demand-side with greater opportunities for career for careers in public health is needed. Conclusion: Public health education and training in India has a strong foothold. There are numerous opportunities for continued expansion and strengthening of this field, to support a robust multi-disciplinary public health workforce that will contribute towards achieving the sustainable development goals.

scholarly journals What does competent moral expertise look like in public health practice?

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Tahzib
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Moral Dilemmas ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Public Health Workforce ◽  
Public Health Training ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
And Training

Abstract Background Public health practitioners regularly face moral dilemmas in their daily practice but they are not well prepared to deal with them. Yet, from an ethics perspective, educational programmes are often inadequate. Rather, there is a need to better understand public health ethical competencies and to develop education and training in public health ethics (PHE). Objectives This presentation will share findings and learning from an ESRC funded research by the UK Faculty of Public Health in collaboration with the Universities of Southampton and Bristol around the nature of competency in PHE and law. Our leading question is: What are the key ethical and legal knowledge, skills, values and attitudes necessary for PHE and law as a professional competency of the public health workforce (PHW)? Results We created a working list of what the competencies should look like based on the material from the competency library, comments from a panel of practitioners, experts which we convened, and own analysis that reflects subject matter knowledge, expressed skill development requirements and personal work experience. These were organized within five areas which: (i) Awareness and Understanding, (ii) Engagement and Research, (iii) Analysis and Reasoning, (iv) Evaluation and Reflection and (v) Action and Advocacy. The five areas and various issues which they cover will be described, as well as reflection and learning from some key activities and initiatives in building competency and capacity. Conclusions There is need to appreciate the nature of competency of PHE and build capacity and competency of the PHW through education and training programmes as key element of public health training curricula. Key messages There are distinguishing features in teaching, learning and practice of PHE compared to clinical ethics. To implement PHE competencies into practice and in public health curricula requires better understanding of practice and the political mandate of public health.

scholarly journals Strengthening Institutions for Public Health Education: Results of a SWOT Analysis From India to Inform Global Best Practices

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Miller ◽  
Megha Reddy ◽  
Preetika Banerjee ◽  
Haley Brahmbhatt ◽  
Piyusha Majumdar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
Health Training ◽  
Master Of Public Health ◽  
Public Health Training ◽  
The World ◽  
Education In India ◽  
Public Health Challenges

Abstract Background: Developing public health educational programs that provide workers prepared to adequately respond to health system challenges is an historical dilemma. In India, the focus on public health education has been mounting in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic is a harbinger of the increasing complexities surrounding public health challenges and the overdue need to progress public health education around the world. This paper aims to explore strengths and challenges of public health educational institutions in India, and elucidate unique opportunities to emerge as a global leader in reform. Methods: To capture the landscape of public health training in India, we initiated a web-based desk review of available offerings and categorized by key descriptors and program qualities. We then undertook a series of in-depth interviews with representatives from a purposively sample of institutions and performed a qualitative SWOT analysis. Results: We found that public health education exists in many formats in India. Although Master of Public Health (MPH) and similar programs are still the most common type of public health training outside of community medicine programs, other postgraduate pathways exist including PhDs, certificates and executing trainings. The strengths of public health education institutions include research capacities, financial accessibility, and innovation, yet there is a need to improve collaborations and harmonize training with career pathways. Growing attention to the sector, improved technologies and community engagement all hold exciting potential for public health education, whilst externally held misconceptions can threaten institutional efficacy and potential. Conclusions: The timely need for and attention to public health education in India present a critical juncture for meaningful reform. India may also be well-situated to contextualize and scale the types of trainings needed to address complex challenges and serve as a model for other countries and the world.

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