期刊名称：African Journal of Health Professions Education
出版年度：2016
卷号：8
期号：2
页码：132-134
语种：English
出版社：African journals online
摘要：Background. Master of Public Health (MPH) students come from a wide range of health professional backgrounds. Graduate programmes in publichealth should equip alumni with knowledge and skills to analyse and integrate health research findings, and have a practical approach to current publichealth issues. In South Africa (SA), there is a need for health professionals with an adaptable public health approach who can contribute meaningfullyto addressing public health problems and transforming the health sector. The role and relevance of graduate public health training in the SA healthcaresystem have not yet been reported. Tracking of graduates is important to assess the effectiveness of study programmes, graduates’ worth for thehealthcare labour market, and their contribution towards improving the healthcare system.Objective. To describe the professional backgrounds of MPH graduates from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, SA and the role of theirlearning in their current public health practice.Methods. An emailed, self-administered questionnaire survey of graduates (N=61) was conducted in 2013.Results. Forty-five (73%) of the 61 contactable public health graduates from the past 10 years returned the completed questionnaire; 28 (63%) areworking in the public sector and 9 (22%) at academic institutions. Graduates reported that research skills, critical analysis, report writing, and leadershipand management were acquired in the MPH programme. Most reported that they were able to integrate the knowledge and skills acquired from theMPH degree in their current workplace.Conclusion. The MPH degree equips graduates with skills that contribute to addressing some of the public health problems in SA.
