THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

Department of Community Health & Psychiatry

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

DrPH CORE COMPETENCIES

Name: SIMONE SPENCE

Student ID number: 95-004652 Cohort #: 6

Date: 11.1.2018
You are encouraged to complete the following as part of the ongoing self-evaluation and assessment process. This is also designed to assist you in
reflecting on the types of electives and placement that you may wish to pursue. Anyone who has not yet submitted a CV is asked to do so

1. Study the following competencies. Rank your perceived mastery of each of these on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being the lowest and 10 the
highest. Please also include a summary score for each of the eight major competency areas.

2. Indicate which of these competencies you would wish to

a. address immediately (A),
b. within the next 6 -12 months (B),
c. within 1-2 years (C)
d. or later (D)
e. not applicable (E).
3. Brief comments to clarify or explain your choices are welcome. You may also indicate any placement you think you need or are interested in
to help develop the stated competency.
4. If there are any specific skills not mentioned here that you wish to address during your course of study, please add these to the list.
 DrPH Core Competencies
Competency 1: Leadership
1.1 Create and articulate a personal philosophy for
leadership
1.2 Embrace a vision and philosophy for professional
leadership in public health
1.3 Apply current leadership theories and concepts to the
analysis and resolution of organizational leadership
challenges
1.4 Demonstrate the ability to mentor/coach future
leaders
1.5 Demonstrate the ability to supervise effectively
Competency 2: Analytical Thinking
2.1 Obtain, evaluate, critique and integrate results from
multiple studies to come to a position on matters of
public health importance
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), Department of Community Health & Psychiatry, UWI 2016
Level of mastery Time to address
8 A
7 B
7 B
8 B
9 A
7 A
Comments
Still in transition. I recognize that this
will change over time as well.
Still a work in progress.
Based on the feedback from class
members, I have gained a wider
perspective in ways to apply these
leadership concepts. Additionally,
reading the leadership books have also
influenced my personal growth in this
area through opportunities to reflect
on my own beliefs and practices. This is
an area that I need to continue to
actively work on.
Need to develop additional skills to
facilitate mentorship of colleagues and
supervisees.
This is an area I have seen
improvement in through the
development of operational plans and
budgets. In addition, having more one
and one meetings with team members
and units has led to greater feedback
opportunities.
Especially in the last year, I have been
afforded the opportunity to do more of
this as the MOH seeks to transition its
 DrPH Core Competencies Level of mastery Time to address Comments

2.2 Demonstrate the ability to analyze issues and problems 8 A Cancer treatment services – specifically
in public health using critical evaluation of information radiotherapy services.
from a variety of sources
2.3 Demonstrate the knowledge of and ability to utilize 8 A
commonly used data and health information systems
within our health services to guide public health
practice
2.4 Demonstrate skills in systems thinking* 6.5 B While I have made strides in this area,
the level of execution/implementation
is still a challenge.

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), Department of Community Health & Psychiatry, UWI 2016
 Competency 3: Policy Analysis and Programme Development

3.1 Demonstrate the skills of analyzing policies and 8 B This has been accomplished through
assessing their potential impact on health the development of the National SRH
Policy as well as the formulation of the
3.2 Demonstrate skills in needs assessments, development 7 C proposed Health Care Worker
of program objectives and conceptual frameworks vaccination policy, which is slated to
come on stream within the next 2
3.3 Demonstrate the use of evidence and other factors in 8 B years.
the formulation of policy

3.4 Demonstrate skills in program evaluation 5 C The planned CEA of the PCV vaccine
Economic analysis will be conducted with the assistance
of PAHO within the next 2 years. This
will afford me an opportunity to
improve my knowledge and
competence in this area. Potential area
for placement.
Competency 4: Public Health Practice

4.1 Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the core areas 8 B The DrPH programme really has
of public health theory and practice afforded me the opportunity to
develop this particular skill and
4.2 Demonstrate an understanding of the principles 8 B competence. I now find myself, making
involved in the prevention and control of routine more references to these principles in
conditions of public health importance my everyday work. In addition,
4.3 Demonstrate an appreciation of the impact of the socio- 8 B lecturing to the MPH and Family
cultural determinants on the health of the populations Medicine students also offers this
opportunity for continued growth and
4.4 Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of local, 7 C development in this area.
Regional and International regulations on the health
status of nations

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), Department of Community Health & Psychiatry, UWI 2016
4.5 Demonstrate an ability to effectively lead the 8 A In reviewing documents for the
investigation and response to a disease outbreak or an development of my portfolio, I
event that adversely impacts health recognize that I have done this at the
parish level. At the National level, I am
a part of the team that manages these
occurrences so I will be able to
continue to develop this skill.

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), Department of Community Health & Psychiatry, UWI 2016
 Competency 5: Working in Multidisciplinary Teams

5.1 Demonstrate an understanding of and value for the role 9 C Working in multidisciplinary teams is a
of different disciplines in addressing public health core tenet of public health practice. At
challenges each level of management, I have been
able to work with various cadres of
persons within health and more so now
outside of the health sector.
5.2 Demonstrate good interpersonal skills to promote team 8 A I had the opportunity to host a branch
work and enhance productivity retreat which focused on team building
and the positive response was
overwhelming. This really
demonstrated the need for deliberate
actions in order to empower team
members and create the supportive
environment that encourages team
camaraderie and productivity.
5.3 Demonstrate the ability to manage and resolve conflicts 8 A Unfortunately, I have had one too
at the workplace many opportunities to manage conflict
within the workplace. Not a very
comfortable situation, but one which
provides an opportunity to
demonstrate progress in resolving
interpersonal issues among staff.
5.4 Demonstrate an ability to influence and motivate others 8 B See comment for activity 5.2

Competency 6: Communication and Advocacy for Health

6.1 Articulate advocacy approaches that are grounded in 6.5 C This is an area for continued
scientific evidence and persuasively present to development and improvement but
stakeholders at various levels of influence with the approval of the budget to
facilitate the introduction of HPV
vaccine has been an accomplishment in
this area.

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), Department of Community Health & Psychiatry, UWI 2016
6.2 Demonstrate an ability to plan social mobilization/social 7 B Need more work in this area and again
marketing strategies in support of public health the HPV vaccine programme has
programs created an opportunity to continue to
develop in this area.
6.3 Demonstrate an ability to adopt an effective risk 7 A At the senior level of management this
communication approach is a critical skill to have. Still need some
development in this area.
6.4 Document and demonstrate written and oral 9 B Facilitate many workshops for internal
communication skills through publications and reports team members; prepare numerous
and presentations and interviews briefs for World Health
Assembly/PAHO Directing Council, etc.
Reports for HMH, CMO, PS on various
programme areas; several interviews
on different media platforms.

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), Department of Community Health & Psychiatry, UWI 2016
 Competency 7: Strategic Planning and management
7.1 Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of 8
alternative models of health care delivery system
7.2 Apply principles of strategic planning
project/program management
B The programme has given me the
opportunity to evaluate health systems
in other jurisdictions. Identifying some
best practices and having direct
responsibility for health services in the
MOH, will afford an opportunity to
assist in the transition, modernization
and transformation of the health
service.
and 8.5 A PROMAC has helped me to hone this
skill.

7.3 Apply basic human relations skills to 8 A I continue to grow and develop in this
program/organizational management including team area. I try to provide direct feedback
building negotiation and performance evaluation even for those team members that I’m
not the immediate supervisor with a
vision to contributing to both their
professional and personal
development.
7.4 Demonstrate an ability to use sound financial principles 7 B
in the planning cycle of the health care services

7.5 Demonstrate a sound understanding of economic 6.5 C Definitely have a better appreciation in
analysis for health this area but require further
development. Potential placement.
7.6 Demonstrate the ability to make sound managerial 8.5 B Utilizing the information I have at hand
decisions including seeking counsel in certain
situations and investigating the
parameters at play, I try to make the
best decision possible.

Competency 8: Research

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), Department of Community Health & Psychiatry, UWI 2016
 8.1 Demonstrate the ability to apply epidemiologic study 7 B This is a skill I have seen much
methods and biostatistics to evaluate the determinants improvement in as through the DRPH, I
and risk factors related to specific public health issues now know how to critically assess the
information being provided.
8.2 Demonstrate the ability to identify information gaps 7 C Study design is the area that still needs
and to design appropriate new studies that will increase work but with the progression of my
the body of knowledge necessary for improved public thesis, I think this skill will continue to
health practice improve.
8.3 Demonstrate the ability to write grant proposals 7 B Haven’t had any opportunity to do this
following the formats of various funding institutions in the recent past. The skill is one
which requires work but will improve
with time.
*Systems thinking: an approach to problem solving where you view problems as parts of an overall system rather than reacting to the present outcome or
situation and possibly contributing to the further development of the undesired issue or problem.

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), Department of Community Health & Psychiatry, UWI 2016