ASPHER-WHO Core Curriculum Programme
This page describes the methodology used throughout the ASPHER Core Curriculum Programme. Different phases of the programme have different timelines, and as such different phases can be active at any one time throughout the programme.
This phase is a continuous phase which continues until the ASPHER CCP is published. As new information, evidence, guidelines, international syllabi are developed the CCP team are continuously reviewing the new materials to ensure that the ASPHER CCP is directly in-date with the evolving public health landscape in which the CCP is designed to address.
Note: If you believe you have any guidelines or useful information you believe the ASPHER CCP Team would find useful or interesting please contact the team via the “Contact Us" webpage on our main menu above.
In July 2023, a survey was developed and distributed to ASPHER member Schools and Institutes of Public Health in Europe which aimed to establish special expertise in public health programmes, with specific emphasis on 32 different subject areas. In total the dataset contains 107 variables.
The ASPHER CCP Team would like to thank all the different APSHER member schools and institutes for their replied to the ‘ASPHER CCP Initial Survey’. The report of this study can be found via our ‘Publications’ webpage on our main menu above.
Curricular Element Ascertainment:
Respondents of the ASPHER CCP Initial Survey were asked after completing the survey to share curricular elements of their programme for inclusion in the knowledge synthesis element of the CCP (Literature and Evidence Collation). The ASPHER CCP Fellow received many useful information from evidence, guidelines to international syllabi along with University/College specific curriculum.
The ASPHER CCP Team would like to thank all survey responders for all of the very apt, useful information along with the recieved curricular elements.
Respondents were asked after completing the survey to share curricular elements of their programme for inclusion in the knowledge synthesis element of the CCP. An agreed framework was developed for different expertise areas to become:
- Subject Areas
- Themes
- Elements
This agreed framework assisted the development of the broad curricular Concept maps which are also referred to as Core Curricular Concept Maps (CCCMs). To see examples of these CCCMs, they can be found within the ‘Initial Survey’ report can be found via our ‘Publications’ webpage on our main menu above.
The ASPHER-WHO CCP Team, presented a workshop named ‘Defining Core Public Health Curricula’ at the ASPHER Deans’ and Directors’ Retreat which took place in Sofia, Bulgaria, in October 2022. We echo ASPHERs’ gratefulness to the warm welcome and organisation of local hosts at the Faculty of Public Heealth, Medical University Sofia. Most especially Dean Tzekomir Vodenicharov and Retreat Chair and ASPHER Executive Board Member Prof. Karolina Lyubomirova.
We would also like to thank Prof. Anders Foldspang (Aarhus University, Denmark), who joined via webcam to give a wonderful opening speech on the historic importance of the ASPHER CCP.
The workshop was a success with 70 public health experts in audience part-taking in the workshop divided into specialist subject areas. Review of CCCM’s were carried out in real time, with expert contribution from the audience and groups. Key discussion around the area of climate health, digital public health and public health emergency preparedness were most welcomed during the workshop.
The ASPHER CCP team would like again to thank the fantastic audience for their input which has been included into the CCP.
For more information and to see more photos and important points made during the retreat workshop please look at our activity post regarding the workshop via our ‘Activity Log’ webpage on the main menu above.
Subject Specific Surveys and Analysis
After continuous review of information from a variety of resources, the next step in the ASPHER CCP is in the hands of the many academics and practitioners within the European region.
This stage of the ASPHER CCP will include an invitation to all ASPHER member schools and institutes and to external schools, institutes, and services outside of the ASPHER network to be a part of subject specific surveys. We are also interested in the valued input from practitioners in these fields. There is a survey for each subject area within the ASPHER CCP, this has been developed in such a manner to allow for experts in specific areas to get to their loved area quickly. We are interested in your opinion, regarding inclusion of different themes, topics and what levels of education should certain topics be thought at. We are also interested in how academics and practitioners feel regarding the alignment of SDGs in parallel with the proposed Themes and Topics of the ASPHER CCP.
The results will be analysed by the ASPHER CCP Team and shared with the subject specific expert advisory groups, for the creation of the ASPHER Core Public Health Curriculum.
ASPHER CCP Invitation letter
The final phase of the CCP development includes the use of Expert Advisory Groups (EAGs), to ensure that the curriculum is in alignment with named experts and academics in each field. The EAGs will be the key to the final formulation of each area of the core curriculum. The ASPHER CCP relies on the generous expertise and knowledge of key stakeholders across the European region. The CCP team are very thankful to all schools of public health, institutes of public health and public health experts who have contributed to the work of the ASPHER CCP. We look forward to continuing shared vision and creativity.
Click here to see the EAG Membership Profiles
The final phase of the CCP development includes the use of Expert Consultative Group which include ASPHER Executive Board members, ASPHER Secretariat members, WHO members and a variety of high level experts in curricular framework design. We look forward to continuing shared vision and creativity.
