An evolution in health professional education: the ecological determinants of health

ABSTRACT

This article introduces a set of competencies that can be used to operationalize the Ecological Determinants of Health (EDoH) paradigm in health studies education, along with recommendations for incorporation in educational and workplace settings. These competencies were developed by the EDGE Core Competencies and Curriculum Sub-Committee, a group of ecological health academics from universities across Canada. We describe the seven competencies and summarize the rationale for imbuing each competency in health studies education and workforce. Using Miller’s Pyramid as an outline, we propose recommendations to further advance EDoH competencies for students and working health professionals. To demonstrate knowledge and competence in EDoH, instructors should make use of advanced real-world problems addressing current issues using high-impact educational practices. Students can demonstrate performance of core competencies in controlled settings and experiential learning opportunities. Action describes the transition of student to practitioner who demonstrates competence in real settings with complex and unpredictable situations working with transdisciplinary partners. These competencies should be viewed as a starting point for iterative and ongoing development of proficiency as our understanding of ecological determinants of health increases in breadth and complexity. Incorporating the EDoH in daily practice is critical in solving many health problems of the future.

KEYWORDS:

• Ecological determinants of health
• health studies education
• continuing competency
• public health
• Miller’s pyramid

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the EDGE Working Groups for their continued support and work in this endeavour.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was received for this paper.