The role of Europe’s schools of public health in times of war: ASPHER statement on the war against Ukraine

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

ASPHER statement: planning for winter 2022-23

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Toward ‘Vaccine Internationalism’: The Need for an Equitable and Coordinated Global Vaccination Approach to Effectively Combat COVID-19

From Frontiers via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: collection 2021, received 2021-03-10, accepted 2021-03-15, epub 2021-04-14Publication status: Publishe

Emerging Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic About the Decisive Competencies Needed for the Public Health Workforce: A Qualitative Study

The global COVID-19 crisis exposed the critical need for a highly qualified public health workforce. This qualitative research aimed to examine public health workforce competencies needed to face COVID-19 challenges and identify the gaps between training programs and the competency demands of real-world disasters and pandemics. Through a sample of thirty-one participant qualitative interviews, we examined the perspectives of diverse stakeholders from lead public health organizations in Israel. Grounded Theory was used to analyze the data. Six themes emerged from the content analysis: public health workforce\u27s low professional status and the uncertain future of the public health workforce; links between the community and Higher Education institutions; the centrality of communication competencies; need to improve health promotion; the role of leadership, management, and partnership, and innovation in public health coherence. Increasing the attractiveness of the profession, professional and financial support, and improving the working conditions to ensure a sustainable and resilient PH system were deemed necessary. This paper describes and cultivates new knowledge and leadership skills among public health professionals, and lays the groundwork for future public health leadership preparedness programs

Identifying the Gaps Between Public Health Training and Practice: A Workforce Competencies Comparative Analysis

Objectives: The study aimed to generate insights on how best to enhance the compatibility between Public Health training program competencies and the implementation of competencies required by employers to address current and emerging public health needs. Methods: A survey adapted from the WHO-ASPHER Competency Framework for the Public Health Workforce was conducted online among Israeli public health managers from August to November 2021. The survey was formulated to mirror Essential Public Health Operations. Forty-nine managers participated (37.6% response rate) in an assessment of 44 public health competencies and the core organizational public health operations. Results: Analysis of Essential Public Health Operations revealed a notably high deficiency reported for Advocacy Communication and Social Mobilization for health competencies. Collaborations and Partnership and, Leadership and System Thinking were the most reported insufficient competencies, particularly in health departments and research institutes. Governmental offices reported Organizational Literacy and Adaptability competencies being deficient. Deficiencies were more impactful as the level of expertise increased. Conclusion: There is a clear need for public health professionals to acquire versatile and innovative competencies in response to the ever-changing health threats

ASPHER Statement: Planning for Winter 2022-23

From Frontiers via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: collection 2022, received 2022-09-14, accepted 2022-09-20, epub 2022-10-03Peer reviewed: TrueAcknowledgements: Thanks to Catarina Hermenegildo, Catolica University, Lisbon, Portugal.Publication status: Publishe

Simulation as a Key Training Method for Inculcating Public Health Leadership Skills: A Mixed Methods Study

BACKGROUND: Successful management of public health challenges requires developing and nurturing leadership competencies. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of training simulations to assess public health leadership and decision-making competencies during emergencies as an effective learning and training method. METHODS: We examined the effects of two simulation scenarios on public health school students in terms of their experience (compared to face-to-face learning) and new skills acquired for dealing with similar emergent situations in the future. A mixed-methods design included developing a validated and pre-tested questionnaire with open-and closed-ended questions that examined the simulation impact and the degree of student satisfaction with the conditions in which it was conducted. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with the students after going through the simulations. The questionnaire results were evaluated using descriptive analytics. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analyses. All data were collected during June 2022. RESULTS: The questionnaire results indicate that students strengthened their interpersonal communication skills and learned about the importance of listening to the opinions of others before formulating their positions. Four themes emerged from 16 in-depth interviews, according to Kolb\u27s experimental learning cycle. Students emphasized the effectiveness of experiential learning versus traditional classroom learning. The simulation scenarios were felt to realistically convey critical issues regarding leadership, decision-making, and teamwork challenges. They effectively conveyed the importance of building a culture of conducting substantive and respectful discussions. CONCLUSION: Simulation is a powerful pedagogical training tool for public health leadership competencies. Simulations were seen to be advantageous over face-to-face learning in imparting a range of leadership skills and hands-on practice. We recommend integrating simulations in all public health leadership training programs

ASPHER Statement: Facing the Fourth Winter of the COVID-19 Pandemic

From Frontiers via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: collection 2022, received 2022-09-14, accepted 2022-09-20, epub 2022-10-03Peer reviewed: TruePublication status: Publishe

Building the Future One Health Workforce

A ‘new normal’ in public health and healthcare has arisen with socioeconomic shifts, technological developments, political strife, climate change, environmental degradation, and COVID-19. Challenges cannot be solved by one discipline or profession alone, but requires multiple sectors coming together, combining knowledge, expertise and methods. One Health is an integrated epidemiological and economic approach aiming to sustainably optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystem. This article reflects on the roles of Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER) and European Health Management Association (EHMA) and the concrete steps needed to address skills for One Health.Not funde

Emerging lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic about the decisive competencies needed for the public health workforce:A qualitative study

The global COVID-19 crisis exposed the critical need for a highly qualified public health workforce. This qualitative research aimed to examine public health workforce competencies needed to face COVID-19 challenges and identify the gaps between training programs and the competency demands of real-world disasters and pandemics. Through a sample of thirty-one participant qualitative interviews, we examined the perspectives of diverse stakeholders from lead public health organizations in Israel. Grounded Theory was used to analyze the data. Six themes emerged from the content analysis: public health workforce's low professional status and the uncertain future of the public health workforce; links between the community and Higher Education institutions; the centrality of communication competencies; need to improve health promotion; the role of leadership, management, and partnership, and innovation in public health coherence. Increasing the attractiveness of the profession, professional and financial support, and improving the working conditions to ensure a sustainable and resilient PH system were deemed necessary. This paper describes and cultivates new knowledge and leadership skills among public health professionals, and lays the groundwork for future public health leadership preparedness programs