Competency Development for Public Health Technical Officer based on the Needs of Employers

Abstract

Objective: To develop the teaching methods for students to gain more competencies to meet the needs of users, in Bachelor of Public Health Program in Community Health.

Research Methodology: This was the developmental research using 4 steps to collect data: 1) Studying the essential competencies of public health workers from the users. 2) Developing the methods of teaching and learning using group discussions 3) Conducting teaching and learning 4) Evaluation using the user satisfaction survey on graduates’ competencies and learning outcomes. The target group for the study was the Public Health Technical Officer, Public Health Officer and instructor 166 persons. Data were collected through focus-group interviews, and questionnaires.

RESULTS: The study found that the users wanted the graduates to have the competency on the health assessment of people. The results of the group discussions suggested that each year of studying should have the field practice including 1) the studying of the primary care service system in hometown for 1^st year students 2) the practice on the health information system, the holistic health promotion, and the holistic health rehabilitation for 2^nd year students 3) the practice on the health assessment of the community for 3^rd year students and 4) the practice on problem solving and on developing the public health. After the implementation of teaching, the users were satisfied with the performance of the graduates and the learning outcomes of the graduates were at high level.

Conclusion: The teaching methods focusing on student-centered education practices would be able to build up the graduates’ competencies to meet the users’ needs.

Keywords: Competency, Learning and Teaching, Public Health Technical Officer, Employers