Assessing Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals in Turkey

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of perceived proficiency of a public health professionals based on the Public Health Practice Core Competencies. Methodology: The study was conducted between June-August 2008 in the health care centres located in the centres and villages of Nazilli and Soke districts of Aydin province. Questionnaire was used out to public health workforce representing mostly midwifery, doctor, nurse, health officier (n=323). In this study used the Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice published a form ``Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals'' in April 2001. Results: Findings from this study show that all disciplines reported higher perceived proficiency in the "Communication Skills" domain compared to the other seven skills domains. Perceived low skills domains included "Financial Planning And Management Skills" and "Policy Development/Programme Planning Skills" among physicians, nurses, midwifery, health officers. Conclusions: Each group had different strengths and weaknesses and the necessary level of skill needed differs among discipline groups, thus future trainings on the Public Health Core Competencies should be discipline specific. Core competencies are developed in order for public health professionals to guide community-based practices, to be guiding and to shape continuing education programs.