A recent EMPHNET research study titled “Evaluation of Field Epidemiology Training Programs: A Scoping Review,” highlights evidence of the beneficial effects of Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) on public health workers globally. The research also identifies program implementation strengths and gaps, and it emphasizes the need for strong evaluation tools and standardized metrics to enhance future evaluations.

Review of Global FETP Evaluation

The research gathered, synthesized, and examined publications that evaluated FETPs from different countries and regions. Its aim was to understand the effectiveness of FETPs in enhancing epidemiological capabilities and strengthening global health security.

FETPs are designed to build competency in epidemiology among public health workforce in organizations such as the Ministry of Health or other national public health institutes. These programs are vital for preparing individuals to respond effectively to public health emergencies and conduct essential surveillance activities. Despite their importance, comprehensive evaluations of FETPs have been limited, prompting this scoping review to assess their global impact.

Key Findings from the Study

From an initial pool of 60 studies, 12 were included in this review, covering all FETP modalities: frontline, intermediate, and advanced. The studies included countries in different regions, including Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, United Kingdom, and Yemen. The main findings are as follows:

Improved Skills and Knowledge
FETPs significantly enhance the skills and knowledge of their residents and graduates, thus improving their ability to conduct surveillance and respond to outbreaks. All modalities of FETPs were found to enhance surveillance activities and epidemiological functions.

Active Participation in Public Health

FETP graduates are more involved in public health activities and events. Their involvement contributed to strengthening the public health infrastructure.

Enhanced Epidemiological Functions

FETPs contributed to better data reporting and outbreak investigations. The intermediate FETP in Tanzania, for example, significantly improved data reporting and outbreak investigations. Graduates reported better data analysis and early identification of outbreaks, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness.

Additional Outcomes

Other results included career advancements for graduates, increased research publications in peer-reviewed journals, and enhanced communication skills. For example, the advanced FETP in India published several research on outbreak investigations, showcasing the application of epidemiological data in public health decision-making.

Addressing Program Gaps

While the positive outcomes were consistent across studies, several gaps were identified, including budget constraints, limited mentoring time, political instability, and insufficient medical equipment. Closing these gaps is essential to sustaining and expanding the impact of FETPs.

The findings confirm that FETPs significantly improve the skills and knowledge of public health workers, enabling them to better respond to public health challenges. However, to maximize their effectiveness, it is essential to address the identified program gaps and develop standardized evaluation tools to ensure consistent and robust assessments across different regions.

In conclusion, this scoping review underscores the role of FETPs in enhancing global health security. By improving the competencies of national public health workers, these programs contribute to more effective surveillance, outbreak response, and overall public health management. Future efforts should focus on addressing program gaps and standardizing evaluation metrics to further strengthen FETPs worldwide.

Read the study here.