Occupational health crossing borders - part 1: concept, teaching methods, and user evaluation of the first international summer school in Munich, Germany.
BACKGROUND
Occupational health and safety (OHS) is relevant for occupational health professionals (OHP) throughout the world. However, training opportunities are often limited and exchange between OHP from industrialized and developing countries is sparse. We aimed to contribute to the international exchange of OHP through a 2-week summer school program.


METHODS
Twenty-three OHP from 11 countries participated. Teaching methods included interactive lectures, participants' presentations, case-based e-learning, enterprise visits, and hands-on sessions. After completion, participants evaluated the course.


RESULTS
OHS systems of 18 different countries were presented using the same set of clinical cases as a starting point. Opportunities and challenges in the different OHS systems were considered. On median, participants rated the course as excellent and totally agreed that it will help them in their daily work.


CONCLUSIONS
An international summer school teaching basic aspects of different OHS systems is a useful tool for training and exchange at the global level.
Radon
Katja
K
Unit for Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology & Net Teaching, Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Clinical Centre of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany. katja.radon@med.lmu.de
Ehrenstein
Vera
V
Bigaignon-Cantineau
Janine
J
Vellore
Arun Dev
AD
Fingerhut
Marilyn
M
Nowak
Dennis
D
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000328:Adult; D019049:Developed Countries; D003906:Developing Countries; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D018961:Educational Technology; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D038622:Internationality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017145:Models, Educational; D016272:Occupational Health; D016730:Program Development; D012574:Schools; D013192:Staff Development; D013663:Teaching; D014495:Universities