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Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research / Data Driven Disease Surveillance / Zoonotic Diseases and Public Health · Journal article
Eurosurveillance · September 3, 2026
Early or partial results. Treat as a signal, not a conclusion.
This is a descriptive evaluation of a 30-year German field epidemiology training programme (PAE) based on programme records, graduate self-report, and expert opinion. It documents high graduate retention in public health (70%), satisfaction (90%), and reported involvement in outbreak management and leadership, but does not measure actual workforce capacity gains or compare outcomes to non-graduates or alternative training models.
Mixed-methods programme evaluation: desk review, online graduate survey, and expert workshop. 126 graduates of the Postgraduate Training for Applied Epidemiology (PAE) in Germany over 30 years (1996–2025); survey respondents (n=91); expert participants from German health authorities.. Intervention: Postgraduate Training for Applied Epidemiology (PAE): a 2-year field epidemiology training programme aligned with European and global training standards.. n = 126. Germany; programme nationwide over 30-year period..
By December 2025, PAE had 126 graduates who produced 197 peer-reviewed publications, 193 conference abstracts, and conducted 205 outbreak investigations 72% (91/126) of graduates responded to survey; 70% (64/91) remained in German public health workforce 90% (82/91) reported high satisfaction and 96% (87/91) would recommend the programme
Safety was not reported in the material analysed. Check the source before drawing any conclusion about harm.
This evaluation documents graduate retention and self-reported engagement in public health practice, but does not measure whether the training improves outbreak response effectiveness, epidemic control outcomes, or workforce capacity compared to other training models. Professionals should view this as supportive evidence of programme completion and participant satisfaction, not proof of direct public health impact.
A 30-year mixed-methods programme evaluation with descriptive survey data and qualitative analysis that demonstrates graduate retention and reported satisfaction, but lacks comparison groups, objective outcome measures, or causal inference about workforce impact.
As stated by the source record.
Quoted from the source exactly as published.
This evaluation documents graduate retention and self-reported engagement in public health practice, but does not measure whether the training improves outbreak response effectiveness, epidemic control outcomes, or workforce capacity compared to other training models. Professionals should view this as supportive evidence of programme completion and participant satisfaction, not proof of direct public health impact.
Graded across the dimensions that decide whether you should act, each from what the source actually supports. There is no single score, and where a dimension was not assessed it says so.
INTRODUCTIONField epidemiology training programmes (FETPs) strengthen public health workforce capacity for infectious disease surveillance and outbreak response. The Postgraduate Training for Applied Epidemiology (PAE) is a 2-year FETP aligned with European and global training standards.AIMWe evaluated the contribution of PAE to a strengthened public health workforce for infection protection in Germany.METHODSOur evaluation consisted of three components: a semi-structured desk review of programme outputs (1996-2025), an online graduate survey (cohorts 1996-2023), and an online workshop with experts from local, federal state and national health authorities. We analysed quantitative data descriptively, and qualitative data through a simplified content analysis.RESULTSBy December 2025, PAE had 126 graduates with the following outputs: 197 peer-reviewed publications, 193 accepted conference abstracts, and 205 conducted outbreak investigations. In total, 72% (91/126) graduates responded to the survey. Most respondents remained in the German public health workforce (70%; 64/91), reported high satisfaction (90%; 82/91), and would recommend the programme (96%; 87/91). Graduates reported roles in crisis and outbreak management (70%; 64/91), holding leadership roles (59%; 54/91), and engaging in knowledge dissemination (86%; 78/91). Qualitative findings highlighted shared methodological approaches and technical language, and strong networks as key facilitators of collaboration across all levels of the German public health service.CONCLUSIONWe found that PAE contributes to strengthening and sustaining an infection protection workforce in Germany that regularly applies and disseminates learnt skills. Most graduates have held or currently hold leadership roles and frequently contribute to outbreak and public health crisis management.
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