Thirty years of an advanced field epidemiology training programme: a mixed-methods evaluation, Germany, 1996 to 2025

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.