Future of public workforce training: thought leaders' perspectives

The guest editors identified eleven prominent public health thought leaders from practice, academia, professional associations, and philanthropic organizations to be interviewed for their opinions about the future of public health, the skills needed by the public health workforce, and training opportunities and roles. While they spoke from many different perspectives, several overarching themes emerged. The public health workforce needs updated skills. Public health academia should be more engaged in educating and training for public health practice, which would also benefit academia. There is a sense that "now is the time" for public health to be an essential player in the health care system. They see promise in emerging activities such as accreditation, practice-based research, and an explicit national agenda for workforce training. Overall, they are cautiously optimistic about the potential for greater real and perceived value of public health, momentum for more comprehensive, and coordinated public health training.