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. 2021 Jul 1:66:1603993.
doi: 10.3389/ijph.2021.1603993. eCollection 2021.

Professional Characteristics of Health Promotion: A Scoping Review of the German and International Literature

Verena Biehl  1   2 , Thomas Gerlinger  2 , Frank Wieber  1   3
Affiliations

Professional Characteristics of Health Promotion: A Scoping Review of the German and International Literature

Verena Biehl et al. Int J Public Health. .

Abstract

Objective: This scoping review investigates current developments in the professional characteristics of health promotion (HP) with a focus on the German speaking part of Europe. The conceptualization of HP is a prerequisite for progressing HP professionalization and clarifying the interconnectedness between HP and Public Health. Methods: The search strategy was informed by sociological professionalization theories. Original publications were included in a content-based analysis. Results: Ninety publications (37 original publications) were identified in the review. The results are summarized in categories based on professional characteristics: 1) profession, 2) ethics, 3) education/training 4) competencies, and 5) quality. The professionalization of HP regarding the professional characteristics is less developed in the German compared to the international literature. Conclusion: The mixed findings emphasize the relevance of a common HP conceptualization. The HP core competencies, which have been developed by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education must be further promoted. A strong HP workforce within Public Health strengthens the HP status in policy contexts and society and its contribution to promoting health and tackling social inequalities in health.

Keywords: health promotion; professional characteristics; professional competencies; professionalization; public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Flowchart of literature included in the scoping review. (Professional characteristics of health promotion: a scoping review of German and international literature, Switzerland, 2021)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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