The United Kingdom Field Epidemiology Training Programme: meeting programme objectives

Abstract

IntroductionMost evaluations of field epidemiology training programmes (FETP) are limited to process measures, but stakeholders may need evidence of impact.ObjectiveTo ascertain if the United Kingdom (UK) FETP met its objectives to: (i) strengthen capacity and provision of national epidemiology services, (ii) develop a network of highly skilled field epidemiologists with a shared sense of purpose working to common standards and (iii) raise the profile of field epidemiology through embedding it into everyday health protection practice.MethodsThe evaluation consisted of: (i) focus groups with training site staff, (ii) individual interviews with stakeholders and (iii) an online survey of FETP fellows and graduates. Findings were synthesised and triangulated across the three evaluation components to identify cross-cutting themes and subthemes.FindingsEight focus groups were undertaken with 38 staff, ten stakeholders were interviewed and 28 (76%) graduates and fellows responded to the survey. Three themes emerged: confidence, application and rigour. FETP was perceived to have contributed to the development, directly and indirectly, of a skilled workforce in field epidemiology, increasing stakeholders’ confidence in the service. Graduates applied their learning in practice, collaborating with a wide range of disciplines. Fellows and graduates demonstrated rigour by introducing innovations, supporting service improvements and helping supervisors maintain their skills and share good practice.ConclusionThe UK FETP appears to have met its three key objectives, and also had wider organisational impact. FETPs should systematically and prospectively collect information on how they have influenced changes to field epidemiology practice.

Evaluation of Advanced Field Epidemiology Training Programs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Multi-Country Study

“…Their impact can be most apparent in situations of conflicts and crises that disrupt public health systems and especially within the current shortage of resources. Several examples have clearly shown the success of FETP in responding to emergencies and disasters (9)(10)(11)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20). During the outbreak of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2014 in Saudi Arabia, FETP graduates tackled numerous issues, including but not limited to, related to redesigning the system to enable simultaneous real-time electronic reporting of suspected and confirmed cases to public health professionals who needed to take essential control and preventive actions on new cases (16).…”

“…There are some studies that evaluated the FETPs and reported the experiences and the lessons learned. These studies showed that the training programs have contributed to the development of a skilled workforce in field epidemiology (9)(10)(11). However, they indicated that further efforts are required to scale up the program.…”

Evaluation of Field Epidemiology Training Programs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Multi-country Study

“…Their impact can be most apparent in situations of con ict and crises that disrupt public health systems and especially within the current shortage of resources. Several examples have clearly showed the success of FETP in responding to emergencies and disasters (8)(9)(10)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19). During the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in 2014 in Saudi Arabia, FETP graduates tackled numerous issues, including but not limited to, to redesigning the system to enable simultaneous real-time electronic reporting of suspected and con rmed cases to public health professionals who needed to take essential control and preventive actions on new cases (14).…”

“…There are some studies that evaluated FETPs and reported the experiences and lessons learnt. These studies showed that the training programs have contributed to the development of a skilled workforce in eld epidemiology [8][9][10].…”

Serotonin involvement in okadaic acid-induced diarrhoea in vivo

“…Symptomatology includes nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, achieving full recovery after 3 days (Yasumoto et al 1978 ; EFSA 2008 ). Exposure to DSP has been frequently reported in various countries (Young et al 2019 ; Vale 2020 ), representing the primary cause of bans on the harvesting of aquaculture in Japan and Europe (Reguera et al 2014 ).…”