What does competent moral expertise look like in public health practice?

Abstract

Abstract Background Public health practitioners regularly face moral dilemmas in their daily practice but they are not well prepared to deal with them. Yet, from an ethics perspective, educational programmes are often inadequate. Rather, there is a need to better understand public health ethical competencies and to develop education and training in public health ethics (PHE). Objectives This presentation will share findings and learning from an ESRC funded research by the UK Faculty of Public Health in collaboration with the Universities of Southampton and Bristol around the nature of competency in PHE and law. Our leading question is: What are the key ethical and legal knowledge, skills, values and attitudes necessary for PHE and law as a professional competency of the public health workforce (PHW)? Results We created a working list of what the competencies should look like based on the material from the competency library, comments from a panel of practitioners, experts which we convened, and own analysis that reflects subject matter knowledge, expressed skill development requirements and personal work experience. These were organized within five areas which: (i) Awareness and Understanding, (ii) Engagement and Research, (iii) Analysis and Reasoning, (iv) Evaluation and Reflection and (v) Action and Advocacy. The five areas and various issues which they cover will be described, as well as reflection and learning from some key activities and initiatives in building competency and capacity. Conclusions There is need to appreciate the nature of competency of PHE and build capacity and competency of the PHW through education and training programmes as key element of public health training curricula. Key messages There are distinguishing features in teaching, learning and practice of PHE compared to clinical ethics. To implement PHE competencies into practice and in public health curricula requires better understanding of practice and the political mandate of public health.