Epidemiol. Infect. © Cambridge University Press 2014
doi:10.1017/S0950268814003392
date of publication 2014 Dec 18
L. PEZZOLI, M. KERAMAROU, G. LADBURY, G. JARAMILLO GUTIERREZ, C. J. WILLIAMS, A. LE MENACH
1.EPIET Alumni Network (EAN), Saint-Maurice, France
2.Medical School, University of Crete, Greece
3.Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK
4.London School of Hygiene and Trop
SUMMARY
The EPIET Alumni Network (EAN) is an association of professionals who have completed field epidemiology or public health microbiology training programmes in the European Union. In 2013, we conducted a survey of EAN members to investigate this network’s role within European public health. We distributed an online questionnaire to members registered at the time, collecting data on demographics, professional background, and attitudes towards EAN. Out of 362 registered members, 189 (52%) responded; 97% were from Europe; 65% were female. Their mean age was 39 years. The highest academic qualification was PhD for 44% and Master’s degree for 55%. The majority (60%) worked in public health institutes. They were especially satisfied with having access to job offers and professional networking via EAN, but requested more learning opportunities and knowledge-sharing between members. EAN is a unique platform where highly skilled professionals can connect to control infectious diseases locally and internationally. Having a network of professionals that know each other, speak the same ‘language’, and can easily access each other’s expertise, represents an important resource for European and global public health, which should be nurtured by encouraging more collaborations devoted to professional development.
Key words: Alumni association, epidemiologists, evaluation, microbiologists, public health.
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