Quote From Ziza:
Key questions first, then details:
(1) For PH work in developing countries, is there more of a need for generalists with a standard MPH or epidemiologists with a dedicated master’s in the subject? (I want to study whatever will allow me to have the greatest impact; I don’t have strong interest or experience in any particular field.)
It probably varies from country to country and region to region. Perhaps a more pertinent question is, what kind of role do you see yourself in? Data analyst? Clinic facilitator? Vaccination programme manager? etc
I was weighing up epi vs PH a few years ago and ultimately opted for an MSc in epi. I did so after advice from a mentor that if I was likely to want to go into research more than practice based work, that epi would be better training. PH training tends to be less in depth but cover a wider range of areas (including things like health economics).
Of the universities you mention, Karolinska is best known outside of Sweden (or at least best known to me!) I have heard of Uppsala from cohort studies, and possibly Lund, but not Umea. But to be honest, if you consider them all to be good institutions then you should first pin point what kind of role you see yourself in, and then choose the training that is most appropriate to that.
A final point is that if you want to work in developing countries, you might be best doing a masters tailored to that (e.g.
) or else you will potentially spend a lot of time studying things such as health economics or health services research where the syllabus is more orientated towards high income countries.
Hope this helps.
