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Lomazzi M, Wordley V, Bedi R. Dental public health capacity worldwide: Results of a global survey. J Public Health Policy 2017; 37:528-542. [PMID: 28202926 DOI: 10.1057/s41271-016-0029-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The World Federation of Public Health Associations' Oral Health Working Group (WFPHA OHWG) carried out a survey to establish the extent of global dental public health (DPH) capacity. Senior stakeholders in DPH completed 124 surveys, covering 73 countries and all WHO regions. The survey evaluated DPH workforce within the country, funding, education, current services, and integration between public health and DPH in countries across the world. In 62 per cent of countries, DPH is only partially integrated in the public health system, while in 25 per cent of countries it has not yet been formally integrated. DPH programs at Masters level are available in 44 per cent of countries. Over half of countries have 0 to 10 trained DPH professionals. Because both poor oral and general health share several common risk factors, DPH must be integrated into national health systems and budgets, with an emphasis on having trained DPH specialists available in every country to collaborate in healthcare policy and provision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Lomazzi
- World Federation of Public Health Associations, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Valerie Wordley
- King's College London, Centre for International Child Oral Health, 26-29 Drury Lane, Rooms 329-331, London, UK
| | - Raman Bedi
- King's College London, Centre for International Child Oral Health, 26-29 Drury Lane, Rooms 329-331, London, UK.
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Parvizy S, Peyrovi H, Rostami H, Delkhosh M. Males' perspectives on health in Iran: A grounded theory study. Med J Islam Repub Iran 2017; 31:40. [PMID: 29445669 PMCID: PMC5804476 DOI: 10.14196/mjiri.31.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Males' health plays a basic role in the community's health, especially in family's health. Health is a multifaceted issue that affects people in all aspects. Health is also one of the 4 metaparadigm concepts in nursing. This study was conducted to explore males' perspectives on health. Methods: In this qualitative study conducted based on a grounded theory approach, 22 males were selected through a purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and continued until data saturation. Data analysis was done using Strauss and Corbin's three-stage coding process. Results: Based on the perspectives of the participants, 8 categories emerged, which are as follow: psychological health; physical health; family health; spiritual health; welfare and social health; health and relationships; sexual health; and occupational-economic health. Psychological health was emerged as the core variable. Conclusion: As a multifaceted phenomenon, health is an individual's general condition in all these aspects, particularly psychological aspect. Males' health should be taken into account for the role they play in managing the family. Males as the family heads require evidence-based decision making and planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soroor Parvizy
- Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Peyrovi
- Nursing Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hosein Rostami
- Health Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marjan Delkhosh
- School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Dlungwane T, Voce A, Searle R, Stevens F. Master of Public Health programmes in South Africa: issues and challenges. Public Health Rev 2017; 38:5. [PMID: 29450077 PMCID: PMC5810082 DOI: 10.1186/s40985-017-0052-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The demand for highly skilled public health personnel in low- and middle-income countries has been recognised globally. In South Africa, the need to train more public health professionals has been acknowledged. The Human Resource for Health (HRH) Strategy for South Africa includes the establishment of public health units at district and provincial levels. Programmes such as Master of Public Health (MPH) programmes are viewed as essential contributors in equipping health practitioners with adequate public health skills to meet the demands of the health care system. All MPH programmes have been instituted independently; there is no systematic information or comparison of programmes and requirements across institutions. This study aims to establish a baseline on MPH programmes in South Africa in terms of programme characteristics, curriculum, teaching workforce and graduate output. METHODS A mixed method design was implemented. A document analysis and cross-sectional descriptive survey, comprising both quantitative and qualitative data collection, by means of questionnaires, of all MPH programmes active in 2014 was conducted. The MPH programme coordinators of the 10 active programmes were invited to participate in the study via email. Numeric data were summarized in frequency distribution tables. Non-numeric data was captured, collated into one file and thematically analysed. RESULTS A total of eight MPH programmes responded to the questionnaire. Most programmes are affiliated to medical schools and provide a wide range of specialisations. The MPH programmes are run by individual universities and tend to have their own quality assurance, validation and assessment procedures with minimal external scrutiny. National core competencies for MPH programmes have not been determined. All programmes are battling to provide an appropriate supply of well-trained public health professionals as a result of drop-out, low throughput and delayed time to completion. CONCLUSION The MPH programmes have consistently graduated MPH candidates, although the numbers differ by institution. The increasing number of enrolments coupled by insufficient teaching personnel and low graduate output are key challenges impacting on the production of public health professionals. Collaboration amongst the MPH programmes, standardization, quality assurance and benchmarking needs considerable attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thembelihle Dlungwane
- College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing and Public Health, Howard College Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Glenwood, Durban, South Africa
| | - Anna Voce
- College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Ruth Searle
- College of Humanities, School of Education, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Fred Stevens
- Department of Educational Development and Research, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Zwanikken PAC, Alexander L, Scherpbier A. Impact of MPH programs: contributing to health system strengthening in low- and middle-income countries? HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH 2016; 14:52. [PMID: 27549226 PMCID: PMC4994422 DOI: 10.1186/s12960-016-0150-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The "health workforce" crisis has led to an increased interest in health professional education, including MPH programs. Recently, it was questioned whether training of mid- to higher level cadres in public health prepared graduates with competencies to strengthen health systems in low- and middle-income countries. Measuring educational impact has been notoriously difficult; therefore, innovative methods for measuring the outcome and impact of MPH programs were sought. Impact was conceptualized as "impact on workplace" and "impact on society," which entailed studying how these competencies were enacted and to what effect within the context of the graduates' workplaces, as well as on societal health. METHODS This is part of a larger six-country mixed method study; in this paper, the focus is on the qualitative findings of two English language programs, one a distance MPH program offered from South Africa, the other a residential program in the Netherlands. Both offer MPH training to students from a diversity of countries. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 graduates (per program), working in low- and middle-income health systems, their peers, and their supervisors. RESULTS Impact on the workplace was reported as considerable by graduates and peers as well as supervisors and included changes in management and leadership: promotion to a leadership position as well as expanded or revitalized management roles were reported by many participants. The development of leadership capacity was highly valued amongst many graduates, and this capacity was cited by a number of supervisors and peers. Wider impact in the workplace took the form of introducing workplace innovations such as setting up an AIDS and addiction research center and research involvement; teaching and training, advocacy, and community engagement were other ways in which graduates' influence reached a wider target grouping. Beyond the workplace, an intersectoral approach, national reach through policy advisory roles to Ministries of Health, policy development, and capacity building, was reported. Work conditions and context influenced conduciveness for innovation and the extent to which graduates were able to have effect. Self-selection of graduates and their role in selecting peers and supervisors may have resulted in some bias, some graduates could not be traced, and social acceptability bias may have influenced findings. CONCLUSIONS There was considerable impact at many levels; graduates were perceived to be able to contribute significantly to their workplaces and often had influence at the national level. Much of the impact described was in line with public health educational aims. The qualitative method study revealed more in-depth understanding of graduates' impact as well as their career pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucy Alexander
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Albert Scherpbier
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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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 PA, Alexander L, Huong NT, Qian X, Valladares LM, Mohamed NA, Ying XH, Gonzalez-Robledo MC, Linh LC, Wadidi MSA, Tahir H, Neupane S, Scherpbier A. Validation of public health competencies and impact variables for low- and middle-income countries. BMC Public Health 2014; 14:55. [PMID: 24438672 PMCID: PMC3899921 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of Master of Public Health (MPH) programmes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is increasing, but questions have been raised regarding the relevance of their outcomes and impacts on context. Although processes for validating public health competencies have taken place in recent years in many high-income countries, validation in LMICs is needed. Furthermore, impact variables of MPH programmes in the workplace and in society have not been developed. METHOD A set of public health competencies and impact variables in the workplace and in society was designed using the competencies and learning objectives of six participating institutions offering MPH programmes in or for LMICs, and the set of competencies of the Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice as a reference. The resulting competencies and impact variables differ from those of the Council on Linkages in scope and emphasis on social determinants of health, context specificity and intersectoral competencies. A modified Delphi method was used in this study to validate the public health competencies and impact variables; experts and MPH alumni from China, Vietnam, South Africa, Sudan, Mexico and the Netherlands reviewed them and made recommendations. RESULTS The competencies and variables were validated across two Delphi rounds, first with public health experts (N = 31) from the six countries, then with MPH alumni (N = 30). After the first expert round, competencies and impact variables were refined based on the quantitative results and qualitative comments. Both rounds showed high consensus, more so for the competencies than the impact variables. The response rate was 100%. CONCLUSION This is the first time that public health competencies have been validated in LMICs across continents. It is also the first time that impact variables of MPH programmes have been proposed and validated in LMICs across continents. The high degree of consensus between experts and alumni suggests that these public health competencies and impact variables can be used to design and evaluate MPH programmes, as well as for individual and team assessment and continuous professional development in LMICs.
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Mahat A, Bezruchka SA, Gonzales V, Connell FA. Assessment of graduate public health education in Nepal and perceived needs of faculty and students. HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH 2013; 11:16. [PMID: 23621945 PMCID: PMC3640966 DOI: 10.1186/1478-4491-11-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Accepted: 04/06/2013] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the large body of evidence suggesting that effective public health infrastructure is vital to improving the health status of populations, many universities in developing countries offer minimal opportunities for graduate training in public health. In Nepal, for example, only two institutions currently offer a graduate public health degree. Both institutions confer only a general Masters in Public Health (MPH), and together produce 30 graduates per year. The objective of this assessment was to identify challenges in graduate public health education in Nepal, and explore ways to address these challenges. METHODS The assessment included in-person school visits and data collection through semi-structured in-depth interviews with primary stakeholders of Nepal's public health academic sector. The 72 participants included faculty, students, alumni, and leaders of institutions that offered MPH programs, and the leadership of one government-funded institution that is currently developing an MPH program. Data were analyzed through content analysis to identify major themes. RESULTS Six themes characterizing the challenges of expanding and improving graduate public health training were identified: 1) a shortage of trained public health faculty, with consequent reliance on the internet to compensate for inadequate teaching resources; 2) teaching/learning cultures and bureaucratic traditions that are not optimal for graduate education; 3) within-institution dominance of clinical medicine over public health; 4) a desire for practice-oriented, contextually relevant training opportunities; 5) a demand for degree options in public health specialties (for example, epidemiology); and 6) a strong interest in international academic collaboration. CONCLUSION Despite an enormous need for trained public health professionals, Nepal's educational institutions face barriers to developing effective graduate programs. Overcoming these barriers will require: 1) increasing the investment in public health education and 2) improving the academic environment of educational institutions. Long term, committed academic collaborations with international universities may be a realistic way to: 1) redress immediate inadequacies in resources, including teachers; 2) encourage learning environments that promote inquiry, creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking; and 3) support development of the in-country capacity of local institutions to produce a cadre of competent, well-trained public health practitioners, researchers, teachers, and leaders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agya Mahat
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Stephen A Bezruchka
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Virginia Gonzales
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Frederick A Connell
- Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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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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Cole DC, Plugge EH, Jackson SF. Placements in global health masters' programmes: what is the student experience? J Public Health (Oxf) 2012; 35:329-37. [PMID: 23077220 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fds086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Global health training is increasingly part of public health training in high-income countries, with placements as key components. We sought preliminary evidence of student placement experiences and learning through masters' programmes at the universities of Oxford and Toronto. METHODS In a mixed-methods design, we drew on existing programme records, student feedback surveys (Oxford only) and semi-structured interviews with graduates. RESULTS Students participated in practice, informed policy and conducted research across a wide variety of topics, and with a range of different tasks, mostly overseas. Building on existing collaboration- or partnership-facilitated placement setup. Clear communication and face-to-face time with organizational representatives or on-site supervisors helped clarify placement objectives. Flexibility on students' and supervisors' part enabled students to take advantage of urgent public health activities for learning. Students valued the opportunity to make cross-country comparisons, to see first-hand the role of international organizations and to learn concrete skills in project design, questionnaire formulation, qualitative and quantitative analysis and writing up. CONCLUSIONS Placements were valuable to public health professionals in training. We encourage other programmes to share placement experience of their students, field supervisors and host organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald C Cole
- Global Health Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Plugge E, Cole D. Oxford graduates' perceptions of a global health master's degree: a case study. HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH 2011; 9:26. [PMID: 22018521 PMCID: PMC3213151 DOI: 10.1186/1478-4491-9-26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2010] [Accepted: 10/21/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Low and middle-income countries suffer an ongoing deficit of trained public health workers, yet optimizing postgraduate education to best address these training needs remains a challenge. Much international public health education literature has focused on global capacity building and/or the description of innovative programmes, but less on quality and appropriateness. CASE DESCRIPTION The MSc in Global Health Science at the University of Oxford is a relatively new, full-time one year master's degree in international public health. The programme is intended for individuals with significant evidence of commitment to health in low and middle income countries. The intake is small, with only about 25 students each year, but they are from diverse professional and geographical backgrounds. Given the diversity of their backgrounds, we wanted to determine the extent to which student background influenced their perceptions of the quality of their learning experience and their learning outcomes. We conducted virtual or face-to-face semi-structured individual interviews with students who had graduated from the course at least one year previously. Of the 2005 to 2007 intake years, 52 of 63 graduates (83%) were interviewed. We used thematic analysis to analyze the data, then linked results to student characteristics. DISCUSSION The findings from the evaluation suggested that all MSc GHS graduates who spoke with us, irrespective of background, appreciated the curriculum structure drawing on the strengths of a small, diverse student group, and the contribution the programme had made to their breadth of understanding and their careers. This evaluation also demonstrated the feasibility of an educational evaluation conducted several years after programme completion and when graduates were 'in the field'. This is important in ensuring international public health programmes are relevant to the day-to-day work of public health practitioners and researchers in low and middle-income countries. CONCLUSIONS Feedback from students, when they had either resumed their positions 'in the field' or pursued further training, was useful in identifying valuable and positive aspects of the programme and also in identifying areas for further action and development by the programme's management and by individual teaching staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Plugge
- Department of Public Health, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Old Road, Oxford OX3 7LF, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Donald Cole
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Williams JR, Schatz EJ, Clark BD, Collinson MA, Clark SJ, Menken J, Kahn K, Tollman SM. Improving public health training and research capacity in Africa: a replicable model for linking training to health and socio-demographic surveillance data. Glob Health Action 2010; 3:10.3402/gha.v3i0.5287. [PMID: 20824101 PMCID: PMC2932506 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v3i0.5287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2010] [Revised: 08/01/2010] [Accepted: 08/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research training for public health professionals is key to the future of public health and policy in Africa. A growing number of schools of public health are connected to health and socio-demographic surveillance system field sites in developing countries, in Africa and Asia in particular. Linking training programs with these sites provides important opportunities to improve training, build local research capacity, foreground local health priorities, and increase the relevance of research to local health policy. OBJECTIVE To increase research training capacity in public health programs by providing targeted training to students and increasing the accessibility of existing data. DESIGN This report is a case study of an approach to linking public health research and training at the University of the Witwatersrand. We discuss the development of a sample training database from the Agincourt Health and Socio-demographic Surveillance System in South Africa and outline a concordant transnational intensive short course on longitudinal data analysis offered by the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Colorado-Boulder. This case study highlights ways common barriers to linking research and training can be overcome. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS This collaborative effort demonstrates that linking training to ongoing data collection can improve student research, accelerate student training, and connect students to an international network of scholars. Importantly, the approach can be adapted to other partnerships between schools of public health and longitudinal research sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill R. Williams
- Population Program, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Enid J. Schatz
- Population Program, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Health Professions, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Benjamin D. Clark
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, London, UK
- TAZAMA Project, National Institute of Medical Research, Tanzania
| | - Mark A. Collinson
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Samuel J. Clark
- Population Program, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Sociology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jane Menken
- Population Program, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kathleen Kahn
- Population Program, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Stephen M. Tollman
- Population Program, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Engaging undergraduates to solve global health challenges: a new approach based on bioengineering design. Ann Biomed Eng 2010; 38:3031-41. [PMID: 20387116 PMCID: PMC2914280 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-010-0036-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2010] [Accepted: 04/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Recent reports have highlighted the need for educational programs to prepare students for careers developing and disseminating new interventions that improve global public health. Because of its multi-disciplinary, design-centered nature, the field of Biomedical Engineering can play an important role in meeting this challenge. This article describes a new program at Rice University to give undergraduate students from all disciplines a broad background in bioengineering and global health and provides an initial assessment of program impact. Working in partnership with health care providers in developing countries, students in the Beyond Traditional Borders (BTB) initiative learn about health challenges of the poor and put this knowledge to work immediately, using the engineering design process as a framework to formulate solutions to complex global health challenges. Beginning with a freshman design project and continuing through a capstone senior design course, the BTB curriculum uses challenges provided by partners in the developing world to teach students to integrate perspectives from multiple disciplines, and to develop leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. Exceptional students implement their designs under the guidance of clinicians through summer international internships. Since 2006, 333 students have designed more than 40 technologies and educational programs; 28 have been implemented in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, southeast Asia, and the United States. More than 18,000 people have benefited from these designs. 95% of alumni who completed an international internship reported that participation in the program changed or strengthened their career plans to include a focus on global health medicine, research, and/or policy. Empowering students to use bioengineering design to address real problems is an effective way to teach the new generation of leaders needed to solve global health challenges.
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Alexander L, Igumbor EU, Sanders D. Building capacity without disrupting health services: public health education for Africa through distance learning. HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH 2009; 7:28. [PMID: 19338669 PMCID: PMC2678972 DOI: 10.1186/1478-4491-7-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2008] [Accepted: 04/01/2009] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The human resources crisis in Africa is especially acute in the public health field. Through distance education, the School of Public Health of the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, has provided access to master's level public health education for health professionals from more than 20 African countries while they remain in post. Since 2000, interest has increased overwhelmingly to a point where four times more applications are received than can be accommodated. This home-grown programme remains sensitive to the needs of the target learners while engaging them in high-quality learning applied in their own work contexts. This brief paper describes the innovative aspects of the programme, offering some evaluative indications of its impact, and reviews how the delivery of text-led distance learning has facilitated the realization of the objectives of public health training. Strategies are proposed for scaling up such a programme to meet the growing need in this essential area of health human resource capacity development in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Alexander
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Ehi Uche Igumbor
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - David Sanders
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
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Abstract
Global health is attracting an unprecedented level of interest. In this paper, we summarise recent trends and identify the unfinished and new agendas in global public health. We propose a global public health scorecard as a simple way to assess progress and suggest actions by public health practitioners and their organisations for improving the effectiveness of public health. Although we find many recent positive developments in global health, the potential for global cooperation and progress is still largely untapped. Compared with other components of development, health improvement should easily foster global cooperation; strong advocacy and political will are keys to continuing progress. We view global public health as a barometer of more general development. Our responses to the current health challenges are at the forefront of the global struggle for survival.
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