Study Environment, Teaching-Learning Activity and Employment Status in Public Health Discipline: A Qualitative Research

Abstract

<i>This paper explores the study environment, teaching-learning activity, and employment status of the Public Health discipline. Qualitative research was conducted from December 2021 to August 2022. We recruited graduates, lecturers, and employers using the snowball sampling method and purpose. This research was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City (No. 550/HDDD-DHYD), and the oral consent form was obtained for each in-depth interview and focus group discussion. The number of participants in the focus group discussions was 20, equal to those in the in-depth interviews. There were 22 women (55%) and 47.5% of people over 35 years. University was the highest choice for working (47.5%), and over 50% of people had post-graduate degrees. The Faculty of Public Health is a romantic place with various green spaces and fresh air on Hung Phu Street and a modern building at 12A of Hong Bang Street. There are various teaching-learning activities, such as role-playing, case study, group discussion, writing report, presentations, and thesis defenses. Employers satisfy the Public Health graduate student knowledge and skills; however, they must improve their soft skills for job adaptation. This study's results may help to supply evidence for our university to improve the educational training program of Public Health. Furthermore, it may contribute to the expected learning outcomes to train human resources, which satisfies employers' needs and requirements of social changes relating to Public Health professionals.</i>