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An exploratory factor analysis of core competencies of public health professionals at primary care service level in Northeastern Thailand.

ABSTRACT: Background:Public health professionals play a significant role in primary care services in Thailand. Although efforts are being taken to establish professional standards it has neither been outlined nor been officially announced. There is a lack of understanding of what is a suitable set of core competencies for a public health professional. Objectives:This study aimed to explore the core competencies of public health professionals at the primary care service level in Thailand. Methods:A quantitative survey using a questionnaire was conducted in 862 public health professionals in the northeast of Thailand. Exploratory factor analysis was applied to develop a tool to test the competencies of public health professionals. Results:The results revealed core competencies in the following five main proficiencies: (1) public health administration and laws; (2) disease prevention and control; (3) social and environmental determinant of health and health research; (4) health promotion and community; and (5) basic medical care, screening, and diagnosis. In addition, the five core competencies included 50 items suitable for this sample. These factors accounted for 71.90% of the variance. Conclusion:In conclusion, this study's finding provides significant recommendations to policymakers to improve and initiate a new policy or a standard guideline for public health education and human resource for health production and management in Thailand.

SUBMITTER: Leethongdissakul S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7533937 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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An exploratory factor analysis of core competencies of public health professionals at primary care service level in Northeastern Thailand.

Leethongdissakul Songkramchai S Chada Wilawun W Pengpid Supa S Chualinfa Sangud S

SAGE open medicine 20200930

<h4>Background</h4>Public health professionals play a significant role in primary care services in Thailand. Although efforts are being taken to establish professional standards it has neither been outlined nor been officially announced. There is a lack of understanding of what is a suitable set of core competencies for a public health professional.<h4>Objectives</h4>This study aimed to explore the core competencies of public health professionals at the primary care service level in Thailand.<h4 ...[more]

PMID: 33062274

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Project description:BackgroundEnsuring the current public health workforce has appropriate competencies to fulfill essential public health functions is challenging in many low- and middle-income countries. The absence of an agreed set of core competencies to provide a basis for developing and assessing knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes contributes to this challenge. This study aims to identify the requisite core competencies for practicing health professionals in mid-level supervisory and program management roles to effectively perform their public health responsibilities in the resource-poor setting of Uttar Pradesh (UP), India.MethodsWe used a multi-step, interactive Delphi technique to develop an agreed set of public health competencies. A narrative review of core competency frameworks and key informant interviews with human resources for health experts in India were conducted to prepare an initial list of 40 competency statements in eight domains. We then organized a day-long workshop with 22 Indian public health experts and government officials, who added to and modified the initial list. A revised list of 54 competency statements was rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Aggregate statement scores were shared with the participants, who discussed the findings. Finally, the revised list was returned to participants for an additional round of ratings. The Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test was used to identify stability between steps, and consensus was defined using the percent agreement criterion.ResultsStability between the first and second Delphi scoring steps was reached in 46 of the 54 statements. By the end of the second Delphi scoring step, consensus was reached on 48 competency statements across eight domains: public health sciences, assessment and analysis, policy and program management, financial management and budgeting, partnerships and collaboration, social and cultural determinants, communication, and leadership.ConclusionsThis study produced a consensus set of core competencies and domains in public health that can be used to assess competencies of public health professionals and revise or develop new training programs to address desired competencies. Findings can also be used to support workforce development by informing competency-based job descriptions for recruitment and performance management in the Indian context, and potentially can be adapted for use in resource-poor settings globally.

Project description:ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to describe early career health sciences information professionals' self-reported attainment of the Medical Library Association (MLA) Competencies for Lifelong Learning and Professional Success and to investigate the various methods by which participants developed these competencies.MethodsA SurveyMonkey survey was designed to ascertain participants' demographic information and their competency attainment. "Early career" health information professionals were defined as those with less than five years of professional experience. Participants were asked to rate each of the seven competencies on a five-point Likert scale regarding their level of agreement with the statement, "I have demonstrated this competency." Participants who responded positively were then asked to indicate how they acquired the competency on a multiple-choice, multiple-answer list. Free-text fields were provided for general comments and for participants to elaborate on their answers. The survey was distributed through the MLA email discussion list and other related email discussion lists. Participation was anonymous.ResultsOne hundred eighty-seven responses were received. Out of those 187 respondents, 95 completed the entire survey. The majority of early career health sciences information professionals agreed that they had attained all 7 competencies. Of the various methods used to develop competencies, the most selected method was formal library and information studies education. Participants were least likely to report attaining competencies via mentoring, volunteering, or internships. Participants reported the highest level of confidence in having attained the "Health Sciences Information Services" competency, and the lowest level of confidence in having attained the "Research, Analysis, and Interpretation" competency.ConclusionsThese results contribute to the ongoing discussions regarding proposed changes to the MLA competencies. The results may also inform the development of educational and professional development opportunities for prospective or early career health information professionals.

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An exploratory factor analysis of core competencies of public health professionals at primary care service level in Northeastern Thailand.

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An exploratory factor analysis of core competencies of public health professionals at primary care service level in Northeastern Thailand.

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