A Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) trains a wide network of Field Epidemiologists able to monitor infectious diseases and detect and respond at an early stage to any man-made or natural outbreak before they become epidemics.
A FETP is an important instrument for reinforcing global health security, in the frame of the development of International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities. FETPs are recognised worldwide as an efficient and effective intervention in order to improve public health capacity and increase the number of public health staff able to early detect and better respond to public heath threats.
MediPIET Programme combines a 2-years ‘disease detective’ fellowship programme including formal courses and on-the job training as well as training-of-trainers and technical support to our national institutes of public health to become field epidemiology training sites.

When health threats strike, trained field epidemiologists investigate and use what they’ve learned during the FETP to prevent people from getting sick. They communicate crucial information quickly about health problems in a community, including infectious and non-communicable diseases and environmental hazards. They provide scientific evidence for implementation of preventive and control measures.

FETP Objectives

 

• Increase the ability to detect and respond to threats and increase security in the world. In a world where the next outbreak is only a plane ride away, well trained epidemiologists help countries to identify and stop health threats, both those we anticipate and those we do not expect.
• Address the severe worldwide shortage of skilled epidemiologists. They help countries build critical global health security capabilities by expanding their public health workforce.
• Build critical relationships with other countries. The ongoing success of such training programmes has fostered strong, mutually beneficial relationships with countries around the world.

 

The Field Epidemiology Training Programme is the backbone of MediPIET network.

Aim

The FETP aims at training a cadre of field epidemiologists competent to carry out essential public health functions for prevention and control of communicable diseases and other health threats, capable of disseminating their knowledge, skills and attitudes and nurture a regional network.

The fellowship

MediPIET fellowship is a 2-year competency-based training and service program, through practical courses and on-the-job mentorship. The core competencies and curriculum are defined in the MediPIET Guide, with the flexibility to add or to adapt ad hoc content based on the previous evaluations and current needs.

Each Cohort starts with a 2-week Introductory Course followed by eight one-week training modules throughout the fellowship on specific topics according to the existing curriculum. Additional online support sessions are provided regularly on topics depending on the assessed needs of the fellows.
Besides the modules, to be eligible for graduation fellows have to timely complete required assignments related to outbreak investigation, epidemiological surveillance, research, scientific communication and teaching and, an international mission.

 

MediPIET’S 3rd Cohort of fellows

During this phase, the goal is to graduate the MediPIET 3rd Cohort of fellows that was launched in May 2019. Fifteen fellows with different backgrounds such as Public Health officials, MDs, nurses, veterinarians, etc. from 11 countries have enrolled in the 3rd Cohort:

COUNTRY	NUMBER OF FELLOWS
Albania	1
Armenia	2
Georgia	2
Kosovo*	1
Lebanon	1
Republic of North Macedonia	1
Moldova	1
Palestine**	2
Serbia	1
Tunisia	1
Ukraine	2

*“This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.”
** This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue

The modules

The approach during the modules is very practical; it involves both lectures from experts with a wealth of experience in the field of epidemiology and also, hands-on sessions (i.e. problem exercises and case studies) to practice what participants are learning.
MediPIET Programme has been the first FETP worldwide at including a specific module on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats early detection, prevention and control among the Core Competencies of its fellows and seniors.

MODULES	TOPIC
Module 1	Introduction to intervention epidemiology
Module 2	Computer Tools for Outbreak investigation
Module 3	Advanced methods I: Multivariable analysis
Module 4	Humanitarian crisis and mass gathering
Module 5	Project review I
Module 6	Advanced methods II: Time Series analysis
Module 7	Zoonoses, vector-borne diseases and GIS program
Module 8	CBRN and Health security
Module 9	Project review II

Training of Trainers (ToT)

The approach during the modules is very practical; it involves both lectures from experts with a wealth of experience in the field of epidemiology and also, hands-on sessions (i.e. problem exercises and case studies) to practice what participants are learning.
MediPIET Programme has been the first FETP worldwide at including a specific module on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats early detection, prevention and control among the Core Competencies of its fellows and seniors.

ToT	TOPIC
Tunis Feb-2020	Strengthening Country capacities on preparedness and responses for public health cross-border threats focusing on COVID-2019
Online Nov-2020	Training of trainers: Go.Data tool for outbreak investigation. Support to cascade knowledge
En línea Abr-2021	Capacitación de capacitadores: fortalecimiento de las capacidades de los países en preparación y respuesta intersectoriales para enfrentar amenazas desde la perspectiva de Una sola salud