Roles played by Master of Public Health Graduates from South African Universities during Covid-19

Abstract

Background: Effective health systems with a prepared public health (PH) workforce are required to address emerging PH challenges (1). The South African (SA) Human Resources for Health (HRH) Strategy identified a need to develop a standardized competencies-based Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, with specified requirements. Objectives: To gain insight into graduates’ competencies and perceived relevance, this study explored the roles performed by MPH graduates from SA universities before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methodology: A secondary analysis of 40 qualitative in-depth interviews (IDI’s) which were drawn from the primary study on the competencies and utilities of MPH learning from SA universities was conducted. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: Findings illustrate that MPH graduates played a diverse range of roles before and during the pandemic. Graduates played many roles in managerial, leadership, research, health promotion/education and advisory positions. The following 5 broad themes were identified; the roles of MPH graduates before and during Covid-19, facilitating change: additional and priority roles during Covid-19, adapting to change: MPH graduates’ flexibility and resilience and changes in roles: the psychological outcomes and emotional experiences. Many participants spoke of changing their roles or taking on new roles to assist in the effort to alleviate the effects of the pandemic. Some graduates coped with the changes associated with their roles while several graduates experienced increases in their workload and psychological stress. Conclusion: The roles graduates played are relevant in the health system and can contribute towards health system strengthening efforts.