Public health nutrition workforce development in seven European countries: Constraining and enabling factors

Susanna Kugelberg*, Svandis Jonsdottir, Elisabeth Faxelid, Kristina Jönsson, Ann Fox, Inga Thorsdottir, Agneta Yngve

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives Little is known about current public health nutrition workforce development in Europe. The present study aimed to understand constraining and enabling factors to workforce development in seven European countries. Design A qualitative study comprised of semi-structured face-to-face interviews was conducted and content analysis was used to analyse the transcribed interview data. Setting The study was carried out in Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Subjects Sixty key informants participated in the study. Results There are constraining and enabling factors for public health nutrition workforce development. The main constraining factors relate to the lack of a supportive policy environment, fragmented organizational structures and a workforce that is not cohesive enough to implement public health nutrition strategic initiatives. Enabling factors were identified as the presence of skilled and dedicated individuals who assume roles as leaders and change agents. Conclusions There is a need to strengthen coordination between policy and implementation of programmes which may operate across the national to local spectrum. Public health organizations are advised to further define aims and objectives relevant to public health nutrition. Leaders and agents of change will play important roles in fostering intersectorial partnerships, advocating for policy change, establishing professional competencies and developing education and training programmes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1989-1998
Number of pages10
JournalPublic Health Nutrition
Volume15
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2012

Other keywords

  • Enabling and constraining factors
  • Europe
  • Public health nutrition
  • Workforce development

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