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Abstract

Introduction

Most evaluations of field epidemiology training programmes (FETP) are limited to process measures, but stakeholders may need evidence of impact.

Objective

To 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.

Methods

The 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.

Findings

Eight 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.

Conclusion

The 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.

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2019-09-05
2024-12-22
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The United Kingdom Field Epidemiology Training Programme: meeting programme objectives
<p class="citation"> <span>Citation style for this article:</span> <span class="meta-value authors"> <a href="/search?value1=Paola+Dey&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Dey Paola</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Jeremy+Brown&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Brown Jeremy</a>, <a href="/search?value1=John+Sandars&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Sandars John</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Yvonne+Young&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Young Yvonne</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Ruth+Ruggles&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Ruggles Ruth</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Samantha+Bracebridge&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Bracebridge Samantha</a></span>. The United Kingdom Field Epidemiology Training Programme: meeting programme objectives. <a href="/content/ecdc">Euro Surveill.</a> 2019;24(36):pii=1900013. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2019.24.36.1900013" title="doi link" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2019.24.36.1900013</a> <span class="ES_Article_citation"> <span class="generated">Received</span>: 21 Dec 2018;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span class="generated">Accepted</span>: 25 Jul 2019 </span> </p>
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