[A study on the competencies of public health doctors responding to international and domestic public health administration: Insights from interviews].

Abstract

Objectives　Japan has accumulated experience in international health, and low- and middle-income countries need to develop, implement, and evaluate health and sanitation policies that effectively use scarce resources. Therefore, the knowledge gained from international health experiences can be applied to the public health administration in Japan. The purpose of this study was to clarify the competencies and knowledge possessed by those with international health experience and their acquisition process, and to examine how they are applied to public health administration in Japan.Methods　We conducted a survey by interviewing five public health doctors who were engaged in public health administration in Japan and had experience working overseas. The interview items included their background and overseas work experience, and the relationship between overseas work experience and competency development, abilities, and competencies considered important for working in public health administration in Japan. We analyzed the competencies using a modified grounded theory approach method.Results　The interviewees (three men; two women) worked for government agencies at the time of the survey. Five competencies were identified for those who had worked abroad: an "enterprising spirit," "integrity," "adaptability," "constructiveness," and "problem analysis and solution strategies." In the process of acquiring the competencies, an "enterprising spirit," "integrity," and "adaptability" served as the foundation, while "constructiveness" and "problem analysis and solution strategies" were strengthened through their international health experience.Conclusion　Among the competencies of overseas assignees, "adaptability" and "integrity" were thought to be cognitive patterns, while "constructiveness" and "problem analysis and solution strategies" were thought to be behavioral patterns. Those who had worked abroad had a strong "enterprising spirit" characterized by curiosity and a cheerful outlook, and "adaptability" and "integrity" were strengthened through overseas experience. They also acquired an approach to objectively analyze the current situation and issues in local communities and solve problems by involving residents. Such perspectives are necessary for public health administration in Japan and may be useful for addressing health disparities. In the future, we would like to expand the scope of the interview survey to include public health nurses and other professionals to further clarify the competencies of human resources that contribute to improving public health administration in Japan and other countries.