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. 2023 Sep;28(36):2300388.
doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.36.2300388.

Field Epidemiology and Public Health Microbiology training: capturing the alumni perspectives of the training's impact

Justine Schaeffer  1 , Charlotte Christiane Hammer  1   2 , Iro Evlampidou  1   3   4 , Laura Bubba  1 , Zsofia Igloi  1 , Timothée Dub  1   5 , Annika Wendland  1 , Jane Whelan  1   6 , Stine Nielsen  1 , Amrish Baidjoe  1   3   4   7 , Alma Tostmann  1   8 ; EPIET Alumni Network Boards 2017–2023  1
Affiliations

Field Epidemiology and Public Health Microbiology training: capturing the alumni perspectives of the training's impact

Justine Schaeffer et al. Euro Surveill. 2023 Sep.

Abstract

We present the findings from the European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET) Alumni Network (EAN) Member Survey conducted in October to December 2021. The EAN consists of field epidemiologists (EPIET) and public health microbiologists (European Public Health Microbiology Training Programme (EUPHEM)) who stay connected after their 2-year fellowship. This active alumni network provides opportunities for career development, mentorship, knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices for community members, affiliated professionals and public health organisations in Europe. Overall, 281 of 732 members participated in the survey. Of the 192 European fellowship alumni respondents, 173 (90%) indicated that skills and competencies acquired during their fellowship improved performance in their role compared with their abilities before the fellowship. Reported skills and competencies that could be further strengthened included data management/analysis, communication, mathematical modelling and leadership/team management. The EAN Member Survey provides valuable feedback to the EAN, as well as the fellowship programme offices at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and affiliated field epidemiology programmes. The COVID-19 pandemic was a stark reminder of how essential cross-border collaborations are for continued European health security. Maintaining and increasing the professional, well-trained workforce remains crucial for optimal response to infectious diseases and protection of public health.

Keywords: career mobility; epidemiology; microbiology; professional education; public health; surveys and questionnaires.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sankey diagram showing the movement between country of citizenship, fellowship and (current) residence of participants of the EPIET Alumni Network, Member Survey, October‒December 2021 (n = 281)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Competences and technical skills of respondents to the EPIET Alumni Network, Member Survey, October–December 2021 (n = 195)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Benefits of EPIET Alumni Network membership, Member Survey, October‒December 2021
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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