Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41853151›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in public health2026

Building epidemiological capacity to strengthen health systems: evaluating the advanced (extended) field epidemiology training program of Papua New Guinea.

James A Flint, Jennifer White, David N Durrheim, Barry Ropa, Alois Pukieni, Callum Thirkell, Miriel Boas, Elaine Hevoho, Martyn D Kirk, Tambri Housen

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Article in Frontiers in public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

James A FlintSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
Jennifer WhiteSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
David N DurrheimSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
Barry RopaSurveillance, Emergency Response Policy and Coordination Unit, National Department of Health, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Alois PukieniPublic Health and Clinical Services Coordination Branch, Autonomous Bougainville Government Department of Health, Buka, Papua New Guinea.
Callum ThirkellSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
Miriel BoasTB/HIV Global Fund/COVID-19 Project, World Vision Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Elaine HevohoTechnical and Advisory Services Division, Animal Health Laboratory Services, National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Martyn D KirkNational Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, College of Law, Governance and Policy, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
Tambri HousenSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Papua New Guinea (PNG) has implemented a three-tiered Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) to strengthen their public health workforce. The first advanced (extended) level FETP (aFETPNG) commenced in 2019. This study evaluates the outputs, outcomes and impacts of aFETPNG. Methods: Guided by an FETP impact evaluation framework, a mixed-methods evaluation was conducted to assess program effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement. Data were collected through an online survey of graduates and interviews with graduates and senior-level government managers and executives. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively. Qualitative data were analysed thematically; findings were triangulated and assessed using contribution analysis. Results: Despite disruption from COVID-19, 17 of 30 (57%) trainees graduated in 2022. Graduates reported high confidence in and frequent application of core field epidemiology competencies. All reported applying field epidemiology skills in their workplace. Graduates strengthened surveillance systems, investigated outbreaks, and implemented a range of public health interventions that contributed to stronger health systems and improved public health programs. Most graduates (82%, Discussion: aFETPNG made a substantive and credible contribution to PNG's public health system demonstrating progress along the theory of change impact pathway. The program enhanced outbreak response, improved surveillance practice, strengthened public health programs and delivered tangible benefits at community and system levels. These achievements reflect the intentional design of the program and the sustained application of skills by graduates. Key recommendations include strengthening mentoring during and after training, expanding post-graduation professional development, and securing funding for graduate-led projects.

Indexed as

Capacity BuildingCOVID-19EpidemiologyPublic HealthHumansPapua New GuineaProgram EvaluationPublic Health InfrastructureSARS-CoV-2Surveys and Questionnairescapacity buildingfield epidemiology training programimpact evaluationpublic health workforcetheory-based evaluation

Identifiers

PMID41853151
PMCPMC12992315

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.