Mapping essential competencies: knowledge, skills and attitudes for public health management

ABSTRACT

This is a cross-sectional study, with a quantitative exploratory descriptive approach that aimed to mapp essential competencies in public health among professionals working in the management of a state health department. Data collection was conducted online through a questionnaire. Data were analyzed descriptively, and the competencies were assessed according to six domains of the Regional Framework for Essential Competencies in Public Health and the Degree of Competency Expression at Work. A total of 119 professionals participated in the study, with a predominance of females (70.6%) and an average age of 46.7 years. Domain 1 - Health Situation Analysis showed the highest Degree of Competency Expression at Work; while Domain 6 - International and Global Health obtained the lowest value. There was a significant relationship between the variables studied and education, highlighting that lower levels of education are associated with lower competence scores across the six analyzed domains. It is concluded that developing competencies is a challenge in public management due to its specificities. In this context, competency mapping plays a fundamental role in planning and implementing effective actions for Continuing Health Education.

KEYWORDS Health management; Public health; Health personnel; Professional competence.