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Zwanikken PAC, Huong NT, Ying XH, Alexander L, Wadidi MSEA, Magaña-Valladares L, Gonzalez-Robledo MC, Qian X, Linh NN, Tahir H, Leppink J, Scherpbier A. Outcome and impact of Master of Public Health programs across six countries: education for change. HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH 2014; 12:40. [PMID: 25099707 PMCID: PMC4130699 DOI: 10.1186/1478-4491-12-40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human resources for health crisis has highlighted the need for high-level public health education to add specific capacities to the workforce. Recently, it was questioned whether Master of Public Health (MPH) training prepared graduates with competencies relevant to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aims to examine the influence of the MPH programs geared towards LMICs offered in Vietnam, China, South Africa, Mexico, Sudan, and the Netherlands on graduates' careers, application of acquired competencies, performance at the workplace, and their professional contribution to society. METHODS A self-administered questionnaire was sent to graduates from six MPH programs. Frequency distributions of the answers were calculated, and a bivariate analysis and logistic regression of certain variables was performed. RESULTS The response rate was 37.5%. Graduates reported change in leadership (69%), in technical position (69%), acquiring new responsibilities (80%), and increased remuneration (63%); they asserted that MPH programs contributed significantly to this. Graduates' attribution of their application of 7 key competencies 'substantially to the MPH program' ranged from 33% to 48%. Of the 26 impact variables, graduates attributed the effect they had on their workplace substantially to the MPH program; the highest rated variable ranged from 31% to 73% and the lowest ranged from 9% to 43%. Of the 10 impact variables on society, graduates attributed the effect they had on society substantially to the MPH program; for the highest rated variable (13% to 71%); for the lowest rated variable (4% to 42%). Candidates' attribution of their application of acquired competencies as well as their impact at the workplace varied significantly according to institution of study and educational background. CONCLUSIONS This study concludes that these MPH programs contribute to improving graduates' careers and to building leadership in public health. The MPH programs contribute to graduates' application of competencies. MPH programs contribute substantially towards impact variables on the workplace, such as development of research proposals and reporting on population health needs, and less substantially to their impact on society, such as contributing equitable access to quality services. Differences reported between MPH programs merit further study. The results can be used for curriculum reform.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nguyen Thanh Huong
- Hanoi School of Public Health, 138 Giang Vo, Kim Ma, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Xiao Hua Ying
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Box 175, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Lucy Alexander
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, Republic of South Africa
| | | | - Laura Magaña-Valladares
- National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera, CP 62100 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Maria Cecilia Gonzalez-Robledo
- Research Centre in Health Systems, National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera, CP 62100 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Xu Qian
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Box 175, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Nguyen Nhat Linh
- Hanoi School of Public Health, 138 Giang Vo, Kim Ma, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hanan Tahir
- MPH Programme, University of Medical Sciences and Technology, PO Box 12810, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Jimmie Leppink
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Albert Scherpbier
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Zwanikken PAC, Dieleman M, Samaranayake D, Akwataghibe N, Scherpbier A. A systematic review of outcome and impact of master's in health and health care. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2013; 13:18. [PMID: 23388181 PMCID: PMC3620571 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6920-13-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2012] [Accepted: 02/01/2013] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 'human resources for health' crisis has highlighted the need for more health (care) professionals and led to an increased interest in health professional education, including master's degree programmes. The number of these programmes in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) is increasing, but questions have been raised regarding their relevance, outcome and impact. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the outcomes and impact of health-related master's degree programmes. METHODS We searched the databases Scopus, Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL, ERIC, Psychinfo and Cochrane (1999 - November 2011) and selected websites. All papers describing outcomes and impact of health-related Master programmes were included. Three reviewers, two for each article, extracted data independently. The articles were categorised by type of programme, country, defined outcomes and impact, study methods used and level of evidence, and classified according to outcomes: competencies used in practice, graduates' career progression and impact on graduates' workplaces and sector/society. RESULTS Of the 33 articles included in the review, most originated from the US and the UK, and only one from a low-income country. The programmes studied were in public health (8), nursing (8), physiotherapy (5), family practice (4) and other topics (8). Outcomes were defined in less than one third of the articles, and impact was not defined at all. Outcomes and impact were measured by self-reported alumni surveys and qualitative methods. Most articles reported that competencies learned during the programme were applied in the workplace and alumni reported career progression or specific job changes. Some articles reported difficulties in using newly gained competencies in the workplace. There was limited evidence of impact on the workplace. Only two articles reported impact on the sector. Most studies described learning approaches, but very few described a mechanism to ensure outcome and impact of the programme. CONCLUSIONS Evidence suggests that graduates apply newly learned competencies in the field and that they progress in their career. There is a paucity of well-designed studies assessing the outcomes and impact of health-related master's degree programmes in low- and middle-income countries. Studies of such programmes should consider the context and define outcomes and impact.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dulani Samaranayake
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Albert Scherpbier
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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