Abstract
The Public Health Agency of Canada鈥檚 (PHAC) 鈥淐ore Competencies for Public Health in Canada鈥� outline the skills, attitudes, and knowledge essential for the practice of public health.(1) The core competencies represent an important part of public health practice, workforce development, and education in Canada and internationally.(2-4) However, the core competencies are 14 years old and are facing calls for review, expansion, and revision.(2, 5) As a practicum student in PHAC鈥檚 Corporate Data and Surveillance Branch (CDSB), my main project was to conduct literature searches and write a report to summarize findings, opportunities, and recommendations to consider when reviewing and updating the core competencies. After screening over 2,300 academic and grey literature sources, I included approximately 150 competency-related sources in my final report. The report ultimately demonstrates that updates to the core competencies are needed and overdue. To assist with this process, the report provides recommendations including: review and clarify terminology and definitions, assess how existing discipline-specific competency frameworks can be linked to the core competencies, consider specific stakeholders in the review process, establish a formal governance structure, ensure that all current competency domains are reviewed, and consider adding or expanding several topics. I hope that this report will be helpful and informative for PHAC as they plan for the core competencies鈥� next steps. My practicum experience has ultimately provided me with an opportunity to not only learn about the structure of Canada鈥檚 public health system, but also to question, reflect on, and evaluate the building blocks of public health education and practice in Canada.聽聽
Note: a manuscript based on findings from this practicum project is currently being prepared聽