Moving from Multidisciplinary to Transdisciplinary Approach in Public Health through Educational Reforms

Abstract

In order to tackle the grave health challenges which transcend both national boundaries and disciplinary paradigm, diverse workforce converging from multidisciplinary backgrounds is paramount. Given the range of feeder disciplines that contributes to public health, not much focus is given to cultivate the transdisciplinary element in the health workforce training and practice. It necessitates multifaceted efforts which can be achieved through on job cultivation, self-motivation and educational approach. This article emphasizes the essence of multidisciplinarity and urges for a shift to transdisciplinarity in public health through educational reforms. There are several challenges confronting public health education (PHE) in India. Gaps in health systems connectivity, pedagogic skills and faculty development, competency driven curriculum, career pathways for trained public health professionals and making PHE more multidisciplinary ought to be addressed. To advance a transdisciplinary approach through an educational lens, a multipronged strategy is proposed with reforms in admissions criteria, curriculum and competencies, faculty development, educational resources and assessment. Curricula should be capable of developing transdisciplinary and cross cutting competencies through competency driven education. Attempts should be directed in incorporating a transdisciplinary thinking in designing educational resources with the faculty coming from diverse backgrounds to make the teaching more comprehensive. A transdisciplinary public health education is a tool to create a transdisciplinary public health workforce which can bring a paradigm shift in the education of health professionals.