Evaluation of Field Epidemiology Training Programs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Multi-country Study

Nsour, Mohannad Al; Khader, Yousef; Bashier, Haitham; Alsoukhni, Majd

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-26073/v1

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 9 publications

(16 reference statements)

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“…Several other examples have clearly showed the success of FETP in responding to emergencies and disasters [ 9 ]. During the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in 2014 in Saudi Arabia, FETP graduates tackled numerous issues, including redesigning the system to enable simultaneous real-time electronic reporting of suspected and confirmed cases to public health professionals who needed to take essential control and preventive actions on new cases [ 10 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in 2014 in Saudi Arabia, FETP graduates tackled numerous issues, including redesigning the system to enable simultaneous real-time electronic reporting of suspected and confirmed cases to public health professionals who needed to take essential control and preventive actions on new cases [ 10 ]. FETPs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region showed success in building the epidemiologic capacity of the public health workforce, improving countries’ surveillance systems, and strengthening health systems [ 9 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact Evaluation of the Kenya Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program: Repeated-Measures Study

et al. 2021

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Background In 2014, Kenya’s Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) initiated a 3-month field-based frontline training, Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP-F), for local public health workers. Objective This study aimed to measure the effect of FETP-F on participant workplace practices regarding quality and consistency of public health data, critical interaction with public health data, and improvements in on-time reporting (OTR). Methods Between February and April 2017, FELTP conducted a mixed methods evaluation via online survey to examine outcomes achieved among all 215 graduates from 2014 and 2015. Data quality assessment (DQA) and data consistency assessment (DCA) scores, OTR percentages, and ratings of the training experience were the quantitative measures tracked from baseline and then at 6-month intervals up to 18 months postcompletion of the training. The qualitative component consisted of semistructured face-to-face interviews and observations. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed to identify key themes and dimensions. Results In total, 103 (47%) graduates responded to the survey. Quantitative analyses showed that the training significantly increased the mean DQA and OTR scores but there was a nonsignificant increase in mean DCA scores. Qualitative analyses found that 68% of respondents acquired new skills, 83% applied those skills to their day-to-day work, and 91% improved work methods. Conclusions FETP-F improved overall data quality and OTR at the agency level but had minimal impact on data consistency between local, county, and national public health agencies. Participants reported that they acquired practical skills that improved data collation and analysis and OTR.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact Evaluation of the Kenya Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program: Repeated-Measures Study

et al. 2021

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“…Several other examples have clearly showed the success of FETP in responding to emergencies and disasters [9]. During the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in 2014 in Saudi Arabia, FETP graduates tackled numerous issues, including redesigning the system to enable simultaneous real-time electronic reporting of suspected and confirmed cases to public health professionals who needed to take essential control and preventive actions on new cases [10].…”

Section: Principal Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in 2014 in Saudi Arabia, FETP graduates tackled numerous issues, including redesigning the system to enable simultaneous real-time electronic reporting of suspected and confirmed cases to public health professionals who needed to take essential control and preventive actions on new cases [10]. FETPs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region showed success in building the epidemiologic capacity of the public health workforce, improving countries' surveillance systems, and strengthening health systems [9].…”

Section: Principal Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact Evaluation of the Kenya Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program: Repeated-Measures Study (Preprint)

Roka¹,

Oyugi²,

Githuku³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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BACKGROUND In 2014, Kenya’s field epidemiology and laboratory training program (FELTP) initiated a 3-month-long field-based frontline training (FETP-F) for local public health workers. OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to measure the effect of FETP-F on participant workplace practices regarding quality and consistency of public health data, critical interaction with public health data, and improvements in complete and on time reporting. METHODS Between February and April 2017, FELTP conducted a mixed-methods evaluation to examine outcomes achieved among 2014 and 2015 graduates of the trainings. Data quality assessment (DQA) and data consistency assessment (DCA) scores, on-time-reporting (OTR) percentages, and ratings of the training experience were the quantitative measures tracked from baseline and then at 6-month intervals up to 18 months post-completion of the training. The qualitative component consisted of semi-structured face-to-face interviews and observations. Quantitative data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed to identify key themes and dimensions. RESULTS One hundred and three graduates were included. For the qualitative component, we reached saturation after 19 onsite interviews and observation exercises. ANOVA showed that the trainings had small but significant impacts on mean DQA and OTR scores. Results showed an insignificant increase in mean DCA scores. Qualitative analyses showed that 68% of respondents acquired new skills, 83% applied those skills to their day-to-day work, and 91% improved work methods. CONCLUSIONS The findings show that FETP-F is effective in improving work methods, facilitating behavior change, and improving key public health competencies.

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“…It did not assess program competencies or skills of the graduates nor explicate the learning process. (18) In contrast, articles describing learning processes in medicine and nursing abound. (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24) To take one example, Ohta and colleagues utilized grounded theory to reveal learning processes in Japanese medical students' transitions to rural community hospitals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Do Field Epidemiologists Learn? A Protocol for a Qualitative Inquiry Into Learning in Field Epidemiology Training Programs

Griffith,

Field,

Huang

et al. 2023

Preprint

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IntroductionCOVID-19 underscored the importance of field epidemiology training programs (FETP) as countries struggled with overwhelming demands. Experts are calling for more field epidemiologists with better training. Since 1951 FETP have been building public health capacities across the globe, yet explorations of learning in these programs are lacking. This qualitative study will 1) describe approaches to training field epidemiologists in FETP; 2) describe strategies for learning field epidemiology among FETP trainees; and 3) explain the principles and practices aligning training approaches with learning strategies in FETP.Methods and analysisThe research design, implementation, and interpretation are collaborative efforts with FETP trainers. Data collection will include interviews with FETP trainers and trainees and participant observations of FETP training and learning events in four FETP in the Western Pacific Region. Data analysis will occur in three phases: I) we will use the constant comparison method of Charmaz’s grounded theory during open coding to identify and prioritise categories and properties in the data; II) during focused coding, we will use constant comparison and Polkinghorne’s analysis of narratives, comparing stories of prioritized categories, to fill out properties of those categories; III) we will use Polkinghorne’s narrative analysis to construct narratives that reflect domains of interest, identifying correspondence among Carr and Kemmis’s practices, understandings, and situations to explain principles and processes of learning in FETP.Ethics and disseminationWe have obtained the required ethics approvals to conduct this research at The Australian National University (2021/771) and Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare (112206). Data will not be available publicly, but anonymised findings will be shared with FETP for collaborative interpretation. Ultimately, findings and interpretations will appear in peer reviewed journals and conferences.STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDYThis study will be co-designed, co-developed, and co-interpreted with practitioners to generate relevant, useful, and informative findings for field epidemiology training programs, practitioners, and learners.Use of multiple data collection methods and theoretical frameworks will improve the credibility of the findings.Engagement of participants and programs throughout the process to check interpretations and facilitate dialogue on findings will strengthen the trustworthiness of the findings.The methodology aims to explore experiences in depth, and resources restrict the number of programs and participants that may enrol. So, there will be limits to the generalizability of the findings beyond the included programs.As grounded theory aims for hypothesis generation not hypothesis testing, the findings will be limited to explanations of training and learning and thus not interpretable as statements of the effectiveness of training approaches or programs.

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Evaluation of Field Epidemiology Training Programs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Multi-country Study

Cited by 5 publications

References 9 publications

Impact Evaluation of the Kenya Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program: Repeated-Measures Study

Impact Evaluation of the Kenya Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program: Repeated-Measures Study

Impact Evaluation of the Kenya Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program: Repeated-Measures Study (Preprint)

How Do Field Epidemiologists Learn? A Protocol for a Qualitative Inquiry Into Learning in Field Epidemiology Training Programs

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