Outcome and impact of Master of Public Health programs across six countries: education for change

Abstract

BackgroundThe 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.MethodsA 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionsThis 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.

Tracking Master of Public Health graduates: Linking higher education and the labour market

“…[1,7] This study shows a different trend in terms of the educational background of people enrolling for the MPH degree. In Africa there were traditionally more medical doctors registering for the MPH degree than for other disciplines.…”

“…[8,9] In this study, graduates were from diverse backgrounds such as allied health sciences (physiotherapy, pharmacy, environmental health and medical science) -similar to results reported from six MPH programmes in low and middleincome countries. [1] Most graduates are working in the public sector and 22% are working at academic institutions. They reported using the knowledge and skills acquired in the MPH programme, such as report writing, critical analysis, research, and leadership and management skills.…”

“…[1] Graduate programmes in public health aim to equip students with critical skills to be able to integrate research into practice and have an analytical but practical approach to addressing current public health issues. [1] Schools of public health (SOPHs) have the responsibility to ensure that graduates will be able to respond to rapidly changing local and global public health problems.…”

Impact of MPH programs: contributing to health system strengthening in low- and middle-income countries?

“…The quantitative results revealed that graduates were able to impact on their workplace between 20 and 60 % for 26 specific impact variables and to impact on society between 17 and 39 % for 10 defined variables [17, 18]. The qualitative component of the study was developed to study the perceived impact in more depth, in the context of LMIC.…”

Entry characteristics and performance in a Masters module in Tropical Medicine: a 5‐year analysis

“…Studies in postgraduate medical education in global health rarely analyse quantitative data about demography and prior academic background of their participants. Qualitative studies [5], alumni surveys [6,7] and reports from Southern academic institutions [8][9][10] [11]. LSTM enrols clinicians with a Bachelor degree in Medicine and Surgery (e.g.…”