For all levels of the FETP, the training methodology adheres to a 25% didactic (classroom-based) and 75% fieldwork approach.

Training workshops

The program starts with an introductory workshop that provides basic instruction in applied epidemiology/public health and aims to inspire strong motivation for fieldwork. In addition to the introductory workshop, residents attend training workshops covering their areas of interest.

The content of the workshops is tailored to address the competency-based objectives of the program. Workshops are also opportunities to engage training site supervisors. Moreover, scientific days are organized during which the following activities are done:

• A focal person from each preventive department at the central level presents his department's function, roles, and responsibilities so that the residents be well-oriented to the functional structure of the preventive sector at the MoHP.
• Residents meet, submit, and share their quarterly reports/activities with the coordinators and site supervisors.
• Listen to online modules and epidemiological classes.
• Assign residents to present and discuss a selected topic.

Field assignments

To acquire competencies, residents conduct a number of field assignments based on the residents' learning needs and the public health service needs of the training site. They deliver professional quality products/deliverables. The quality of the deliverables will be evaluated by the FETP Advisory committee in consultation with the FETP coordinator and field supervisor/mentor based on a detailed checklist. If the deliverables require further work, the supervisors will return the checklist and corresponding deliverable to the resident for further revision. These deliverables are:

• Conduct surveillance projects (design, data analysis/evaluation)
  The aim of the surveillance assignments is to use information from surveillance systems for action in light of the strengths and limitations of the data.
• Investigate outbreaks
  The aim of the outbreak investigation assignment is to engage in all stages of an outbreak investigation.
  First investigation during the first year, second investigation later in the first year or in the second year.
• Conduct a planned epidemiologic study (for the advanced and intermediate levels)
  The aim of this project is to master all aspects of the life cycle of a planned epidemiologic study.
• Oral and Poster presentation at a scientific conference
  The scientific communication assignment aims to communicate effectively with other public health professionals.

Graduation Requirements

Awarding of a certificate of completion is based on satisfactory completion of a final portfolio documenting all of the resident’s deliverables. All portfolio contents must be evaluated for acceptability by the resident’s mentor/field supervisor, FETP coordinator. It is the resident’s responsibility to maintain the portfolio and ensure compliance with all requirements. The portfolio will be kept in the FETP office, and managed by the Program Assistant. FETP coordinator and site supervisors/mentors conduct a confidential exit interview with the residents a few weeks before the end of the program. During this interview, the coordinator assesses whether competencies were acquired and whether field assignments were completed with deliverables.

• Attendance at the didactic workshops.
• Attendance at the FETP seminars, scientific days, and meetings.
• Successful completion of all deliverables.
• Passing quizzes and final exams.

Graduation Requirements

Awarding of a certificate of completion is based on satisfactory completion of a final portfolio documenting all of the resident’s deliverables. All portfolio contents must be evaluated for acceptability by the resident’s mentor/field supervisor, FETP coordinator. It is the resident’s responsibility to maintain the portfolio and ensure compliance with all requirements. The portfolio will be kept in the FETP office, and managed by the Program Assistant. FETP coordinator and site supervisors/mentors conduct a confidential exit interview with the residents a few weeks before the end of the program. During this interview, the coordinator assesses whether competencies were acquired and whether field assignments were completed with deliverables.

• Attendance at the didactic workshops.
• Attendance at the FETP seminars, scientific days, and meetings.
• Successful completion of all deliverables.
• Passing quizzes and final exams.

Graduation Awards

Residents who comply with graduation criteria will receive a Certificate of Achievement. Worldwide, approximately 95% of all FETP graduates remain in government service as public health practitioners at local, district, provincial, and central levels of the public health system. As FETP graduates are supposed to return service to the supporting government, residents are required to commit to three to five years of service with the preventive sector at the MoHP at local, district, directorate, or central level.

Mentors/Field Supervisors

During the training period, FETP residents are guided primarily by their coordinator in close collaboration with the mentors/filed supervisors; those are responsible for regularly evaluate the progress of the residents and provide day-to-day support to them towards fulfilling graduation requirements. Field experience is crucial to FETP, it allows trainees to learn through doing, as well as provide public health services to the communities in which they are working. Field supervisors are a critical part of the day-to-day life of a trainee. Ideally, supervisors can also benefit professionally by having a productive trainee under their guidance.

A mentors/field supervisor should collaborate with the FETP coordinator in the following activities:

• Meet regularly with the trainees during their day-to-day training.
• Identify projects in which trainees can contribute to MoHP.
• Provide full and timely access to surveillance data, potential investigations, and other field activities in his/her respective unit.
• Assist residents with technical issues and questions specific to field epidemiology.
• Guide and assist the FETP residents in field assignments.
• Identify when to initiate field investigations by FETP residents and decide when investigations are complete.
• Identify persons with whom trainees can collaborate or who can help trainees implement needed investigations or studies.
• Introduce trainees to public health professionals throughout the public health system to help them broaden their network of professional colleagues.
• Facilitate the accomplishment of trainees’ projects.
• Provide feedback to trainees on their projects.
• Help trainees avoid political or administrative difficulties.
• Guide trainees in the implementation of recommendations made in their field studies.
• Encourage publication and presentation of the trainees’ projects.
• When possible, the site supervisors and the FETP coordinator accompany the residents on relevant outbreak investigations and other field activities.

Mentors/field supervisors are selected from trained FETP graduates or public health professionals. They are trained on what is required of the trainees in their field activities, how to mentor a trainee in each field activity and what the trainee must complete in the field (e.g., field study, outbreak investigation).

• Meet regularly with the trainees during their day-to-day training.
• Identify projects in which trainees can contribute to MoHP.
• Provide full and timely access to surveillance data, potential investigations, and other field activities in his/her respective unit.
• Assist residents with technical issues and questions specific to field epidemiology.
• Guide and assist the FETP residents in field assignments.
• Identify when to initiate field investigations by FETP residents and decide when investigations are complete.
• Identify persons with whom trainees can collaborate or who can help trainees implement needed investigations or studies.
• Introduce trainees to public health professionals throughout the public health system to help them broaden their network of professional colleagues.
• Facilitate the accomplishment of trainees’ projects.
• Provide feedback to trainees on their projects.
• Help trainees avoid political or administrative difficulties.
• Guide trainees in the implementation of recommendations made in their field studies.
• Encourage publication and presentation of the trainees’ projects.
• When possible, the site supervisors and the FETP coordinator accompany the residents on relevant outbreak investigations and other field activities.