COMPETENCY PROFILE OF A PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONAL: INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND UKRAINIAN PERSPECTIVES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/2786-7684/2026-1-16Keywords:
public health, competency-based approach, public health professional, competency frameworks, professional training, public health workforce capacityAbstract
Introduction. The modern transformation of the public health system in Ukraine and other countries is accompanied by increasing requirements for the professional preparedness of the public health workforce. At the same time, a gap persists between competency frameworks and the actual needs of practice, particularly in leadership, communication, and systems thinking. In this context, the development of a comprehensive competency profile of a public health professional is considered a tool for aligning education, professional activity, and the needs of the public health system. The aim of the study is to analyze international experience in developing competency frameworks for public health professionals and to assess the current state of this issue in Ukraine. Materials and methods. A systems approach was applied in the study using content analysis and comparative analysis of international and national regulatory documents, as well as the synthesis of contemporary scientific publications on workforce training for the public health system. Results. The main material presents a generalization of international and Ukrainian experience in developing competency frameworks for specialists in public health and characterizes the key competency domains of a public health professional. The study demonstrates gaps between competency frameworks and the practical needs of the system, particularly in leadership, communication, and systems thinking. Conclusions. The application of the competency-based approach in shaping the profile of a public health professional helps bridge the gap between competency frameworks and the practical needs of the system. The analysis of international experience demonstrates the importance of adapting models to the national context as a prerequisite for strengthening the public health system’s workforce capacity.
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