Building the workforce’s capacity to support the digital transformation of public health: An environmental scan of training programs for digital technologies in public health (Preprint)
Published: Feb. 24, 2025
BACKGROUND
The
digital
transformation
of
public
health
highlights
the
growing
need
for
new
competencies
to
tackle
evolving
and
contemporary
challenges.
While
some
institutions
schools
worldwide
have
begun
addressing
this
through
various
approaches,
many
in
Canada
yet
do
so.
To
support
systematic
competency
curriculum
development,
we
mapped
explored
existing
(DPH)
training
programs,
identifying
common
curricula
content,
approaches
disciplinary
perspectives.
OBJECTIVE
METHODS
This
two-stage
environmental
scan
included
a
search
DPH
programs
interviews
with
select
program
directors,
emphasizing
transdisciplinary
approach.
Between
March
May
2023,
conducted
on
Google
association
directories
identify
degree
courses
(as
part
awarding
programs)
focused
building
capacity
using
technologies
health.
We
then
semi-structured
four
directors
identified
exploring
characteristics
inter/transdisciplinary
partnerships
essential
their
design.
Search
data
was
summarized
narrative
synthesis,
while
content
analysis
applied
interview
data.
RESULTS
Overall,
58
were
identified,
categorized
into
three
groups:
science
(29/58,
50%);
informatics
(16/58,
28%);
mix
(13/58,
22%)
related
project
management
determinants
Interviews
key
categories:
(1)
Motivation
interdisciplinary
highlighting
align
current
job
market
demands
practitioners
skilled
practice
pressures
curricular
updates
from
professional
bodies;
(2)
Design
delivery
academic-industry
aimed
at
developing
professionals
depth
breadth
knowledge;
(3)
Characteristics
inter-
partnerships,
showcasing
involvement
diverse
perspectives
academia,
public,
private
sectors
design
delivery;
(4)
Challenges
implementing
these
including
difficulties
negotiating
shared
commitments,
reconciling
differing
perspectives,
securing
sustainable
funding
such
programs.
CONCLUSIONS
global
found
strong
focus
data-centric
competencies,
less
emphasis
skills
promotion,
leadership,
Bridging
gaps
requires
stepwise
approach:
integrating
curricula,
offering
standalone
specialized
skills,
strengthening
navigate
administrative
barriers
promoting
equity-driven,
collaboration.
Language: Английский