Education-Teaching-Practice
The enlightenment of foreign MD-MPH double degree program to the cultivation of high-level applied public health talents in China
Nie Xiaolu, Zhuo Lin, Wang Shengfeng, Guo Wanqian, Lin Zhi, Chen Yuanyuan, Fu Zhangping, Wang Qing, Wang Fengqing, Cui Shuang, Li Haichao, Shen Ning, Wang Zhifeng, Duan Liping, Zhan Siyan
Published 2021-08-10
Cite as Chin J Epidemiol, 2021, 42(8): 1498-1503. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112338-20210205-00097
Abstract
ObjectiveTo understand the current status of foreign dual-degree programs of Medical Doctor (MD) and Master of Public Health (MPH) and provide evidence-based decision-making reference for promoting the education of high-level applied public health talents in China.
MethodsThe list of involved institutions and information of foreign MD-MPH dual-degree programs was collected through literature retrieval, online information searching, and additional survey of key figures. We extracted the details of each project regarding professional fields, core competence, length of schooling, teaching and learning arrangement, internship eligibility, and graduation assessment. Python 3.8.0 was used for data cleaning, and the occurrence frequency of related items in each dimension was calculated.
ResultsA total of 99 MD-MPH programs from 104 foreign institutions were included, among which 97.1% of them were implemented in universities from the United States. The School of Public Health provided 42.4% (42/99) of the programs. Epidemiology was the major discipline set up among most programs, accounting for 12.0% (29/241) of all the specialties involved. Epidemiological research methods, health policy management and practice, and public health practice were the top 3 core competencies to be mastered. Of the 99 programs, 87 gave information on the length of the program, of which 74.7% (65/87) were five years, 6.9% (6/87) were four years, and 18.4% (16/87) included both 4-year and 5-year programs.
ConclusionsThe international MD-MPH programs were sophisticated and mainly organized by the School of Public Health alone or in conjunction with the School of Medicine. Epidemiology is the core course and competence objective, with a length of 4-5 years. Through learning experience from international MD-MPH programs and the Chinese unique medical development background, China should optimize its medical education system to develop a suitable talent training strategy for MD-MPH dual-degree programs in the new era.
Key words:
MD-MPH double degree program; High-level applied public health talents; Cultivating strategy; Evidence-based decision making
Contributor Information
Nie Xiaolu
School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-based Medicine, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing 100045, China
Zhuo Lin
Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
Wang Shengfeng
School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
Guo Wanqian
School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
Lin Zhi
School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
Chen Yuanyuan
School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
Fu Zhangping
School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
Wang Qing
Education office of Graduate School, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
Wang Fengqing
Education office of Graduate School, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
Cui Shuang
Education office of Graduate School, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
Li Haichao
Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
Shen Ning
Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
Wang Zhifeng
School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
Duan Liping
Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
Zhan Siyan
School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
