Is there a need for a European doctorate in health promotion and public health?. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gugglberger, Lisa; Hall, Caroline
• Is Part Of: Health education journal. Volume 74:Number 2(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 209
• Page End: 220
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Bologna Process -- doctoral level study -- European doctorate -- health promotion -- public health; Health education -- Periodicals; 613.071
• DOI: 10.1177/0017896914530584
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0017-8969

Abstract

Objectives: This paper summarises the context and rationale behind developing a European doctorate in health promotion and public health and its relevance to the international context. Since no Pan-European doctorate exists to date, a network of universities and higher education institutions across Europe has been working towards the establishment of a European doctorate in health promotion and public health. This paper describes the consensus-building process among this network of core stakeholders, combining key learning outcomes with the results of a scoping study. We critically examine some of the challenges encountered and discuss the potential need for such a doctoral level qualification. Methods: The consensus-building process included several meetings as well as a qualitative scoping study, consisting of nine qualitative interviews with and two written responses from different stakeholders in the area of doctoral education. Results: We describe the different requirements, benefits and challenges linked to the development of a European doctorate in health promotion and public health that were identified within the consensus-building process and in the qualitative data. Conclusion: Overall, the benefits identified suggest that a European doctorate in health promotion and public health would be a positive and progressive initiative. However, the potential added value and the demand for such a doctorate still need to be examined.