Competency development in public health leadership

Abstract

The professional development of public health leaders requires competency-based instruction to increase their ability to address complex and changing demands for critical services. This article reviews the development of the Leadership Competency Framework by the National Public Health Leadership Development Network and discusses its significance. After reviewing pertinent literature and existing practice-based competency frameworks, network members developed the framework through sequential use of workgroup assignments and nominal group process. The framework is being used by network members to develop and refine program competency lists and content; to compare programs; to develop needs assessments, baseline measures, and performance standards; and to evaluate educational outcomes. It is a working document, to be continually refined and evaluated to ensure its continued relevance to performance in practice. Understanding both the applications and the limits of competency frameworks is important in individual, program, and organizational assessment. Benefits of using defined competencies in designing leadership programs include the integrated and sustained development of leadership capacity and the use of technology for increased access and quality control.

Impacting Binational Health through Leadership Development: A Program Evaluation of the Leaders across Borders Program, 2010–2014

“…Public health curricula should be designed to enhance leadership competencies and facilitate performance in public health practice ( 17 ), specifically in the border region that faces unique public health challenges as evident in the epidemiological surveillance data. Leadership and professional development in public health and other areas of health services requires reinforcement of corresponding competencies with continued education ( 17 ). The LaB’s curriculum is centered on a set of themes that tackle health priorities of the U.S./Mexico border.…”

The Public Health Leadership and Implementation Academy (PH-LEADER) for Non-Communicable Diseases

“…15 Public health leaders must have transformational, legislation and political, transorganizational, and team/group competencies to address the complex and changing demands of public health services. 24 Further, effective leaders must have the ability to apply scientific knowledge to public health problems. 25 Training that fosters leadership competencies while providing education and encouragement represents a promising strategy to promote effective leadership.…”

“…The leadership module includes interactive and participatory sessions on leadership, management, and communication to enhance self-awareness and self-efficacy 23 and organizational management sessions to support participants’ abilities to maneuver institutional, political, and cultural environments (Table 1). 24 …”

From Roots to Results: A Qualitative Case Study of the Evolution of a Public Health Leadership Institute Building Capacity in Collaborating for Equity and Justice

“…Over the past 12 years, HWLI has provided coaching and training activities designed for health improvement initiatives to 83 community collaborations (Emery, Hubbell, & Miles-Polka, 2011). Initially designed with a focus on building skills around professional public health competencies (Wright et al, 2000), HWLI staff have engaged in continuous quality improvement processes, regularly refining the curriculum and adapting it considerably over time. Most notably, the program has shifted from a more traditional public health core competency-based curriculum, to one that supports participants in power-building partnerships with those most affected by inequities to individually and collectively influence decision-making structures in their community.…”