Developing competencies for health promotion training in Aotearoa-New Zealand

Competencies em promoção da saúde: desafios da formação

O CompHP foi desenvolvido na Europa, em 2012, com o intuito de estabelecer competências e um sistema de certificação para a Promoção da Saúde. Este artigo tem o objetivo de apresentar uma reflexão teórica a respeito das possibilidades e limites da utilização do CompHP na formação de profissionais de saúde no Brasil. As bases teóricas que dão suporte a essa reflexão foram buscadas na literatura científica e ajustadas nos debates que aconteceram no interior de uma disciplina de pósgraduação stricto sensu, em 2012. Diversos trabalhos têm discutido e elaborado diretrizes para o estabelecimento de competências em promoção da saúde em todo o mundo, porém, as discussões sobre competências profissionais para a promoção da saúde que têm sido construídas no Brasil são ainda circunscritas a determinadas práticas profissionais. A partir das análises dos textos científicos, fica evidente que as diretrizes do CompHP foram cunhadas para se pensar a formação e a prática em promoção da saúde no contexto europeu, porém, as características do modelo de formação profissional praticado no Brasil podem se beneficiar muito com a proposta de competências que este documento traz.

Using health promotion competencies for curriculum development in higher education

Health promotion core competencies are used for a variety of reasons. Recently there have been moves to gain international consensus regarding core competencies within health promotion. One of the main reasons put forward for having core competencies is to guide curriculum development within higher education institutions. This article outlines the endeavours of one institution to develop undergraduate and postgraduate curricula around the Australian core competencies for health promotion practitioners. It argues that until core competencies have been agreed upon internationally, basing curricula on these carries a risk associated with change. However, delaying curricula until such risks are ameliorated decreases opportunities to deliver dynamic and current health promotion education within higher institutions.

The Galway Consensus Conference: international collaboration on the development of core competencies for health promotion and health education

Developing a competent health promotion workforce is a key component of capacity building for the future and is critical to delivering on the vision, values and commitments of global health promotion. This paper reports on an international consensus meeting to identify core competencies, jointly organized by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE), the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), with participation from international leaders in the field, that took place at the National University of Ireland, Galway, in June 2008. The purpose of the meeting is outlined and the outcomes in terms of strengthening global exchange, collaboration and common approaches to capacity building and workforce development are discussed. The Consensus Statement, based on the proceedings of the meeting, outlines core values and principles, a common definition and eight domains of core competency that are required to engage in effective health promotion practice. The core domains of competency agreed to at the meeting are: catalysing change, leadership, assessment, planning, impementation, evaluation, advocacy and partnerships. A summary of the Consensus Statement is presented and further dialogue and discussion are invited in order to continue the process of building international consensus with regard to health promotion core competencies. (Global Health Promotion, 2009; 16 (2): pp. 5—11)

Toward International Collaboration on Credentialing in Health Promotion and Health Education: The Galway Consensus Conference

The interest in competencies, standards, and quality assurance in the professional preparation of public health professionals whose work involves health promotion and health education dates back several decades. In Australia, Europe, and North America, where the interest in credentialing has gained momentum, there have been rapidly evolving efforts to codify competencies and standards of practice as well as the processes by which quality and accountability can be ensured in academic professional preparation programs. The Galway Consensus Conference was conceived as a first step in an effort to explore the development of an international consensus regarding the core competencies of health education specialists and professionals in health promotion and the commonalities and differences in establishing uniform standards for the accreditation of academic professional preparation programs around the world. This article describes the purposes, objectives, and process of the Galway Consensus Conference and the background to the meeting that was convened.

Perspectives on Terminology and Conceptual and Professional Issues in Health Education and Health Promotion Credentialing

This article was prepared to inform the deliberations of the Galway Consensus Conference by providing a common and global reference point for the discussion of terminology and key conceptual and professional issues in the credentialing of health education and health promotion specialists. The article provides a review of the terminology that is currently employed across different countries in defining health education and health promotion as well as health educator and health promotion specialist. The terminology used to describe concepts in professional credentialing of health education and health promotion specialists and the scope of professional responsibilities of such specialists, including the terms professional competencies, professional standards, and accreditation, are also reviewed. Finally, key unresolved issues are identified and discussed from a global perspective. The article concludes that despite differences in terminology in the definitions of roles and responsibilities, health education and health promotion are conceptually more similar than different across countries.

Towards the development of skills-based health promotion competencies: the Canadian experience

The health promotion competencies presented in the Galway Consensus Conference Statement build on an emerging international literature that includes a proposed set of Canadian competencies developed for health promotion practitioners. In Canada, the creation of draft health promotion competencies by Health Promotion Ontario (HPO) was fueled by increased concerns about the potential marginalization of health promotion as well as a national public health renewal process that placed increased emphasis on competency development as a means of strengthening the public health workforce. This commentary presents the proposed Canadian competencies and provides an overview of the process utilized to develop them. Key similarities and differences between the proposed Canadian competencies and the competencies outlined in the Consensus Statement are also explored. The Canadian experience illustrates the way in which national health promotion competencies can be shaped by cultural and political factors unique to a specific jurisdiction.

A review of the international literature on health promotion competencies: identifying frameworks and core competencies

Building a competent health promotion workforce with the necessary knowledge and skills to develop, implement and evaluate health promotion policies and practice is fundamental to mainstreaming and sustaining health promotion action. This paper reviews the international literature on competencies in health promotion, examines the competencies developed to date, identifies the methods used in their development and considers what can be learned from the experience of others when establishing international core competencies. The paper considers the advantages and disadvantages of employing a competency approach and the extent to which the competencies identified to date can enhance the quality of practice and update the skill set required to work within changing social, cultural and political contexts.

Capacity building for the future of health promotion

This commentary outlines the work plan of the Global Vice President for Capacity Building, Education and Training over the period 2007—10. Two key areas are prioritised for action: workforce development in countries with identified capacity needs; and the development of international collaboration on core competencies for health promotion practice, education and training. Building a competent health promotion workforce is key to delivering on the vision, core values, principles and commitments of international directives and agreements on the promotion of health. There is a need for a trained and competent workforce who have the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities in translating policy objectives and current research knowledge into effective action. This work plan calls for investment in the human and technical resources needed for the sustainable development and implementation of effective practice and policy for the future. The development of mechanisms for the delivery of accessible culturally appropriate training and professional education is targeted for action.