Designing a competency-based curriculum for an advanced training program in public health emergency management: a stepwise, mixed method approach, 2023

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Combating the several public health threats on the African continent requires trained and equipped workforce. The establishment of the 6-month Africa CDC Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) fellowship provides a pathway for developing a cadre of workforce that is capable of initiating and leading emergency management programs in Africa. Objective We present the process undertaken to draw up a competency-based curriculum for the first continental advanced training program in PHEM. Method A multi-step, mixed methodology was employed in this study. Systematic review process was triangulated with case reviews of similar training programs to provide the first draft of competencies. Through subsequent consultations with experts and technical iterations, the program’s competencies and curriculum were developed. Result Through four iterative revisions, the competencies framework evolved with input from each stage, resulting in a final structure of three competency domains and 10 sub-domains. These informed the development of an 11-course syllabus with corresponding learning objectives, outline and content. Conclusion A curriculum that reflects the foundational skills desirable of professionals engaged in the practice, education, and research in public health emergency management in Africa was developed utilizing mixed methods. Although this exercise was designed for the advanced PHEM Fellowship program at Africa CDC, the process, emerging competencies and curriculum could benchmark competency-based emergency management training across the African continent.

Keywords

• Workforce development
• Capacity
• Public health emergency management
• Preparedness and response
• Curriculum
• Fellowship program