title: Survey of the curricula of public health training programs across Bulgaria and Greece: opportunities for future collaboration.
abstract: Increased communication between neighboring countries may bring to the foreground the common health hazards of the populations but it also creates opportunities for joint actions, especially in the field of public health where knowledge and expertise are critical factors for effective collaboration. In this light, a questionnaire based survey on the curricula of public health training programs in Bulgaria and Greece was conducted in order to investigate any similarities and discrepancies. The survey focused on the various characteristics of the institutions that provide training in public health, e.g., the structure and duration of each course and the evaluation procedures. The results showed that the principal subjects such as public health, epidemiology, biostatistics and health promotion are present both in the Greek and Bulgarian curricula. Similarities are observed in other subjects as well, but differences exist as to whether these subjects are core or elective. The Greek curricula are more flexible (greater number of elective subjects) whereas Bulgarian curricula are structured around a wider core. Differences were observed in the duration of the programs, the teaching methodology and the issues of evaluation/accreditation. Collected data can serve as a basis for establishing a fruitful dialogue and contribute to the achievement of consensus in public health policy planning and actions for both neighbouring countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Economics, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Kostas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Athanasakis
authors.forename: Elpida
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pavi
authors.forename: Theodoros
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Konstandinides
authors.forename: Jeliasko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hristov
authors.forename: Tzekomir
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vodenicharov
authors.forename: Kancho
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tchamov
authors.forename: Jannis
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Papathanasiou
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kyriopoulos
mesh_terms: D056808:Biostatistics; D002031:Bulgaria; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003625:Data Collection; D006115:Greece; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D011634:Public Health / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching