Characterizing the competencies for public health graduates in Australasia: protocol for a mixed-methods study

Introduction: This study protocol aims to develop a validated competency framework to address the absence of a contemporary, Australasian-specific framework for public health graduates, aligning their education with workforce demands in an evolving public health landscape. Methods: A mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods, will be used across three phases. Phase 1 will involve semi-structured interviews with public health experts, academics, and students to capture insights on essential competencies. In phase 2, a systematic synthesis of competencies from existing frameworks will be conducted, triangulating these findings with interview data to develop a preliminary framework. Phase 3 will employ a modified Delphi process and Content Validity Index (CVI) to assess and refine the framework's content validity with Australasian public health experts. Results: Expected outcomes from the interviews and framework synthesis include a draft competency framework detailing core public health skills, knowledge, and attributes required to address contemporary challenges. The Delphi rounds are anticipated to confirm the framework's relevance, clarity, and importance, achieving strong content validity metrics. Conclusions: The resulting competency framework is expected to provide a validated structure for guiding public health education and workforce development within Australasia. By equipping graduates with competencies aligned with current and future public health needs, this framework aims to enhance the region's capacity to address significant health challenges and disparities. Dissemination of findings across Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia (CAPHIA) member institutions will support the integration of this framework into curricula, thereby informing public health education and workforce initiatives in Australasia.