Identifying Competencies for Australian Health Professionals Working in International Health

Abstract

A profile of the roles performed by Australian health professionals working in international health was constructed to identify the core competencies they require, and the implications for education and training of international health practitioners. The methods used included: literature review and document analysis of available training and education; an analysis of competencies required in job descriptions for international health positions; and consultations with key informants. The international health roles identified were classified in four main groups: Program Directors, Program Managers, Team Leaders and Health Specialists. Thirteen 'core' competencies were identified from the job analysis and key informant/group interviews. Contributing to international health development in resource poor countries requires high level cultural, interpersonal and teamwork competencies. Technical expertise in health disciplines is required, with flexibility to adapt to new situations. International health professionals need to combine public health competencies with high level personal maturity to respond to emerging challenges.

Defining and Developing a Global Public Health Course for Public Health Graduates

“…Akbar and colleagues identified competencies for Australian health professionals working in International Health through a short survey. They emphasized that high level of cultural, interpersonal, and team-work competencies are of great value while working in international settings ( 25 ).…”

Global health training and postgraduate medical education in Australia: the case for greater integration

“…Fortunately, there is no shortage of guidance to inform the process 3 . ‐ 5 , 9 , 15 , 24 , 29 Particularly relevant are previously defined competencies for Australian health professionals working in international health, including in technical, cultural and interpersonal domains 29 . Ethical principles for Australian junior doctors practising in overseas settings have also been published and provide a platform for more substantive guidelines 18…”

“…[3][4][5]9,15,24,29 Particularly relevant are previously defined competencies for Australian health professionals working in international health, including in technical, cultural and interpersonal domains. 29 Ethical principles for Australian junior doctors practising in overseas settings have also been published and provide a platform for more substantive guidelines. 18 More formal systems of GH training in Australia have the potential to create a cohort of doctors with the skills and knowledge necessary to engage in regional health challenges in a global context.…”

Building health systems capacity in global health graduate programs: reflections from Australian educators

“…There have also been efforts to identify competencies for Australian health professionals working in global health [26]. This predated the current emphasis on systems, but nevertheless highlighted basic public health skills such as disease control and prevention alongside communication and cross-cultural skills, management and planning competencies.…”

“…The ability to analyse or plan health systems did not receive deeper attention although the paper noted that the “increased emphasis on health sector reforms placed new demands” on public health practitioners. The authors argued that “a better understanding of health sectors” was needed, but little was proposed to address this gap [26]. …”