Role of policy models to facilitate multidisciplinary training of health workers at doctoral level

Public health problems should be always defined in a multivariate context. Causes and consequences of public health problems vary according to diverse factors and characteristics. However, the utilization of multivariate frameworks to define public health problems is not a frequent activity.
 Policy models are theoretical constructs used to interpret public problems and implement adequate public policies. The elaboration of policy models requires the definition of public problems in terms of individual or social needs, and the identification of policy systems in which public policies should be implemented. As a result, analysts will be able to evaluate the soundness and impact of health policies.

 The presentation will describe the teaching experience in the development of policy models by doctoral students of public health and nursing at the National University of Trujillo, Peru. Two courses were taught in 2005 and 2007 to thirty doctoral students. The teaching methodology involved a week of training oriented to develop a policy model by each one of the doctoral students. There were six sessions of four hours each. Sessions were based on individual and small-group work, and discussion with the instructor. At the end of the week each one of the student presented the first version of a policy model for his/her selected public health problem. The model included end-values, main intervening factors, and policy systems involved. Each presenter received comments and suggestions from other students. A month later each student presented a final paper describing in detail the policy model and the literature review. Some students prepared doctoral dissertations proposal according to the findings of the policy model paper.
 The teaching experience shows that it is possible stimulate policy problems definition in a multivariate framework in a short period of time. Implications for training and policy are also relevant in a comparative perspective.