Creating “boots on the ground”: addressing the shortage of field epidemiologists in the Philippines through intermediate-level training programmes

PROBLEM: As of 2022, only 49 graduates of the Philippines’ Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) were employed by the Philippine Government, emphasizing the urgent need to increase the number of practicing field epidemiologists to better equip the country for public health emergencies. CONTEXT: The FETP–Intermediate Course (IC) curriculum is based mainly on the module of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that was incorporated into the Philippine context. It consists of five 1–2-week lecture series that provide participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to conduct job-relevant field projects. Individual projects are the centrepiece of the FETP–IC, requiring trainees to investigate outbreaks, design and develop protocols, conduct field data collection, manage data, analyse data, interpret data, write reports and deliver oral presentations. ACTION: To address the shortage of practicing field epidemiologists in the Philippines, a subnational initiative in Northern Luzon was implemented. OUTCOME: Within 3 years, the two FETP–IC subnational training programmes have produced 42 applied epidemiologists who will strengthen epidemiology and surveillance in their respective localities. As of February 2023, 92 studies have been conducted, including 39 outbreak investigations, 37 data quality analysis/process improvement projects, 10 epidemiological studies and six surveillance evaluations. DISCUSSION: By training and deploying skilled epidemiologists to local health offices and hospitals, the programme is helping to improve the capacity of the health system to respond to public health threats and protect the health of the population. The programme’s emphasis on practical training and real-world experience is an effective way to build a strong and sustainable epidemiological workforce.