| Work Package 5: Training in field /applied epidemiology |
| Background and objectives |
| With shores on three continents, the Mediterranean has
long been the basin of trading societies. It is today, one of the biggest
tourist destinations and has been described as a “central superhighway
of transport, trade and cultural exchange”. Thus past and present
have conferred to the region a unique identity. More than a geographical
or political aggregate, Mediterranean countries share a similar epidemiological
profile and tend to face similar problems resulting from their sharing an
open space. The Episouth project is based on the latter observation and
on the increasing circulation of goods and people brought on by the globalisation
process. Work package 5 (WP5) aims at strengthening the early response capacity of participating countries to health threats and infectious diseases spread by organising short-term training courses and seminars and by promoting participation in existing training programmes of interest. Training modules delivered intend to provide an opportunity and space for exchanging experience and expertise, thus supporting the first objective of the Episouth project i.e. creating a network. Spain, through its National Centre for Epidemiology at the Instituto de Salud Carlos III- Madrid, coordinates WP5 and steers a team in charge of assuring the quality and implementation of activities described in the project. |
| Methods |
| Common training needs are assessed through a semi-structured
questionnaire addressed to all Episouth countries, through their Country
Focal Points and covering various aspects always emphasizing cross-border
diseases surveillance. Training modules are elaborated on the basis of the results of the training needs assessment as well as on issues relevant for the vertical WPs (6, 7 and 8). An updated database including training programmes and courses of interest and scholarships will be available in the project web page. |
| Expected results |
The deliverables of WP5 include:
|