The Public Health Program at the University of the Western Cape aims to provide health personnel with the necessary tools to facilitate the transformation process in the health sector in the new South Africa. The challenge is to train personnel from different backgrounds to facilitate this change and to upskill those already working in the field. The program is developed to incur minimal disruption for both the participants and the health services. Therefore, principles of the New Public Health are taught in a problem-solving context using a flexible, modular, distance-learning format. The course emphasizes the primary health care (PHC) approach, district management, health promotion and program development, and is designed to equip graduates to 1) identify, quantify and prioritise health problems and needs of communities, 2) to use public health skills and the PHC approach to develop and evaluate comprehensive participatory programs to address these health needs, 3) conduct health systems research to improve quality of care, and 4) demonstrate leadership in transforming the health system in South Africa. Students can enter at different levels and exit with a postgraduate certificate, diploma, or masters in public health. The program saw a rapid rise in interest during its first year, with 40 admissions for 2000, increasing to 112 for 2001. An independent evaluation of the program was conducted at the end of 2000. This paper will review the first two years of this program and its appropriateness and relevance for the challenges facing public health education in South Africa and internationally.
See www.uwc.ac.za/comhealth/pages/soph.htm
Learning Objectives: The participants will be able to discuss issues and challenges facing distance education in public health in South Africa.
Keywords: Distance Education, Developing Countries
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: University of the Western Cape Public Health Program
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.