Public Health Workforce Training Gaps
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2019-08
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Abstract
In 2010, the public health workforce was identified as one of the six public health areas that urgently need quality improvement by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health. In 2014, the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) surveyed over 10,000 public health workers on perceived confidence in performing 18 skills based on the core competencies of public health professionals. The purpose of this study was to identify perceived skill gaps between those with a public health degree and non-public health degree and years in the workforce based on a sampling of responses from the PH WINS. Of all participants (n = 1,374), very few (n = 155) had either a Master of Public Health (MPH) or Doctorate of Public Health (DrPH). The majority of the sample were females (72.5%) between the ages of 41 and 60 (60%) and non-Hispanic White (70.2%). Of the 18 public health skills listed in the questionnaire, those with a public health degree were significantly more confident in performing 17 of the skills than those with a non-public health degree. This study helps to identify areas in need of strengthening in the workforce. A competent workforce is important to ensuring success in public health initiatives and programming.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Public Health
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Keywords
Public Health, Health Care Administration