Public Health Education in Health-Related Study Programs in Germany: Perspectives from Course Coordinators

Abstract

Public health education in Germany takes place in public health courses and in health-related study courses. We aim to provide data and knowledge on structure and content of health-related study courses and on cooperation between universities and/or Universities of Applied Sciences. We conducted an online-based cross-sectional study (01.6. - 15.9.2015), involving 93 universities and Universities of Applied Sciences in Germany. Herewith we addressed 351 study course coordinators. We included course coordinators from universities and Universities of Applied Sciences who were members of the German Association of Social Medicine and Prevention (DGSMP) or in the Association Universities for Health (HOGE). 104 course coordinators responded to the survey (43% men, 57% women). Among others, global health and environmental health are primarily taught in public health courses; ethics and psychology primarily in health-related study courses. Financial support for teaching and research is highly needed at universities and at universities of applied sciences. Furthermore, there is a high need of cooperation between institutions. Additionally, course coordinators from universities of applied sciences indicated a need for cooperative doctoral programs. In Germany, competence criteria for teaching public health are missing. Additionally, cooperation between study courses needs to be developed further.