Evaluation of a French health action-training program by its stakeholders; healthcare students and host institution

Abstract

BackgroundMandatory “sanitary service” is an inter-disciplinary health promotion program that ensures inclusion of action training in the curriculum of French students in healthcare professions. Its evaluation is important to identify areas for improvement. ObjectivesThe objective was to evaluate the satisfaction of the actors with the general perception of the program and with its three different phases: e-learning, practical training, and interventions. DesignRetrospective, single-center study based on two self-report questionnaires completed by students and host institutions in 2021–2022. ParticipantsStudents in healthcare (medicine, pharmacy, odontology, midwifery, physical therapy and nursing) from a French university. MethodsWe calculated and compared scores based on closed-ended questions exploring several dimensions of the program (general perception of the sanitary service, and its three phases). ResultsAmong the 732 students surveyed, 418 were included (57.1 %), while among 99 host institutions surveyed (including 86 schools), 77 were included (77.8 %). The overall sanitary service student satisfaction score was 3.26 / 5 (SD = 0.96). Interventions were the best scored of the three phases of the program (3.92 / 5 (SD = 0.87)). E-learning and practical training scores varied significantly according to students' training courses (p < 0.001). Students who intervened in elementary schools (n = 253) most appreciated the interventions (4.11 / 5 (SD = 0.84)). In free comments, students emphasized that interdisciplinarity was appreciated even if it made organization more complex. The overall host institution score was 3.73 / 4 (SD = 0.25). All the heads of institutions expressed their wish to resume the sanitary service the following year. ConclusionsThe actors of the sanitary service validated the interest, quality, organization, and feasibility of an inter-field training program in health prevention for healthcare students.