Presentation on Behalf of the European Association of Schools of Public

Health (ASPHER)

The Canadian Public Health Association Conference, Toronto Canada, May 29 2014

Ardita Kongjonaj MPH

Undergraduate Education in Public Health in the

European Region

Outline

1. Background literature2. Case for Action3. Study Objectives4. Methodology5. Results6. Limitations7. Conclusion8. Recommendation9. References

Development of Undergraduate Education in

Public HealthPurpose: to increase access to higher

education and expand workforce in PHAPHA in US calls for expansion of

undergraduate education in PHEU Region – developing masters and

bachelor trainingLow/medium income countries need

undergraduate training of PH workforceIncrease opportunities for jobs and

advancement in the health sector

WHO - PH Education

Health workforce development to produce sufficient numbers of skilled workers

The quantity, administration and contents of education and training is a matter of national importance in each country

Quality assurance is a collective responsibility

of the academic community, health systems, regulatory authorities and governments.

ASPHER: Association of Schools of Public Health in European Region

The voice of PH education in EU Region

• The key independent European Regional organization dedicated to strengthening the role of public health by

- Promotes improving education standards and

- Training of PH professionals • Advocates advancing and fostering PH

policies

ASPHER Members

ASPHER

• Strengthens PH schools and programs and improves global health by:

- Fostering quality education and practice-based training for the next generation of public health workers

- Promoting PH as a career option• Monitoring trends relevant to PH

education• Facilitating collaborations across

schools and programs

Case for Action

The creation of Schools of Public Health in EU Region has been a major achievement in the PH education

PH bachelor programs portray experiences and provide valuable recommendations, as well as pave the way for students

Study Objectives

To create and disseminate knowledge about current and best practices among public health bachelor degree 

To ascertain collaboration initiatives on bachelor programs

To generate knowledge on career progression and employability resources for graduates; and 

To define core competencies for bachelor graduates to foster employability and further education

Important Areas of Investigation:

Academic curricula (including aims, qualifications, contents and structure)

Academic support training [e.g: transferable skills]

Pedagogical approach Academic training and support for UG

Public Health lecturers Career progression

Methodology

Study design: Cross – sectional survey in the period Feb-April 2014Survey instrument: Web based questionnaire - delivered to each members of ASPHER by email; reminders by email and phone calls Study population:The list of 101 ASPHER members and their e-mail addresses extracted from ASPHER records

Main Results

25/56 (44.6%) provide Bachelor Programs- 12/25 (48%) BSc degree

1994 – is the first year when two Public Health Bachelor programs have been established

18/25 (72%) provide the program in their national language and the same % is delivered on Campus based

Requirements for admission

The average students (%) who completed the program in last 5 years (22 schools)

Results cont’

11/22 (50%) invite 5 or less external experts

4 schools reported to have up to 25 PhD faculty members

17/22 (30.4 %) have collaboration structures within the University

Employment after graduation

Limitations

51 % response rate

Exploratory

Need detailed curriculum

Student follow-up after graduation

Recommendations

The final and main output will be Recommended Core Curriculum in Public Health

Cohesive and integrative definition of the core knowledge and competencies of Public Health practitioners trained at bachelor level

Promote bachelors education programs in EU Region and internationally as per the definition of both education provides and potential employers and national health system

Potential accreditation endorsed by APHEA (European Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation)

References

http://www.aspher.orghttp://www.asph.org/index.cfmhttp://www.euro.who.int/en/health-

topics/Health-systems/health-workforcehttp://www.aphea.net/http://www.aphea.net/assets/files/

aphea_eligibilitycriteria_mph-programmes_nov2012.pdf

THANK YOU