Abstract
In the fields of public health policy and public health care, advanced educational programs are an important strategy in dealing with public health crises. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the global need for skilled public health leaders and managers to address complex public health challenges, which requires the strengthening of public health education at the highest levels. This paper is a qualitative case study of a special educational program for doctors of public health in China. The program's educational objectives are in line with epidemic prevention and control. With the goal of developing the world's leading national public health management system, the Chinese government established an advanced academic program for public health crisis management. The program offers doctoral students a multidisciplinary degree based upon the theoretical knowledge of crisis management, supported by advanced training in the foundational concepts, theories, and practices of public health, and the study of basic medicine which provides the theoretical support for developing essential clinical skills. Program graduates develop the theoretical, practical, and leadership-related capabilities required for the management of national emergencies. The program introduced in this paper meets current epidemic prevention and control needs and should be considered by public health policy makers, leaders, and scholars in the discussion of advanced public health policy and health care education in China, including the development of an internationally recognized Doctor of Public Health program.
Highlights
The recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has exposed the global shortage of workers in the fields of public health and health care [1] and, in particular, the need for skilled leaders and managers to translate public health research into effective policies and programs to manage emerging public health threats, staff response efforts, and improve population health [2,3,4,5]
National public health policy makers, leaders, and scholars worldwide have recognized that these temporary strategies do not address the fundamental global public healthcare workforce crisis—and the need for skilled public health and health care leaders and managers to address complex public health challenges—that require the strengthening of public health education at the highest levels [8]
The DrTP-PHCM of Weifang Medical University offers a multidisciplinary degree based upon the theoretical knowledge of crisis management, supported by advanced training in the foundational concepts, theories, and practices of public health, and the study of management and psychology which provides the theoretical support for developing the cultivation of comprehensive professional skills of public health crisis management
Summary
The recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has exposed the global shortage of workers in the fields of public health and health care [1] and, in particular, the need for skilled leaders and managers to translate public health research into effective policies and programs to manage emerging public health threats, staff response efforts, and improve population health [2,3,4,5]. National public health policy makers, leaders, and scholars worldwide have recognized that these temporary strategies do not address the fundamental global public healthcare workforce crisis—and the need for skilled public health and health care leaders and managers to address complex public health challenges—that require the strengthening of public health education at the highest levels [8]. The Chinese government has acknowledged the fundamental role of advanced public health education in the vigorous cultivation of future leaders who will manage public health issues and play an essential role in preventing and controlling infectious diseases [10], translating academic knowledge and skills into practical results in the field
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