IPROC iproc Iproceedings 2369-6893 JMIR Publications Toronto, Canada v4i1e10541 10.2196/10541 Abstract Abstract Recruitment of Cohort Number 20 of Field Epidemiology Training Program — Lessons Learned — Egypt, 2017 Khader Yousef Saad Hala Elshourbagy S Abu Elsood H Refaey S Kandeel A Corresponding Author: Hala Saad halaaabahaa@gmail.com Jan-Dec2018 29 03 2018 4 1 e10541 29 3 2018 29 3 2018 ©Hala Saad, S Elshourbagy, H Abu Elsood, S Refaey, A Kandeel. Originally published in Iproceedings (http://www.iproc.org), 29.03.2018. 2018

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in Iproceedings, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on http://www.iproc.org/, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.

 Background

The Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) had been established in Egypt since 1993. It was the second in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Up to this year, 18 cohorts were graduated from FETP. Approximately 80% of graduates work in the Egyptian ministry of health and population (MOHP) and many fill leadership positions. Others provide essential epidemiological services abroad and to neighboring countries.

 Objective

We aim to describe and evaluate recruitment process for new FETP residents.

 Methods

An announcement for recruitment of a new cohort was published on newsletter and on FETP Egypt Facebook page on September 31 for two weeks. Inclusion criteria listed on the announcement based on MoHP requirements. Interested candidates were encouraged to fill an application on FETP Egypt website. The application consists of open ended as well as closed questions. Data were extracted, edit and cleaned using Microsoft Excel. One hundred applicants were short listed and invited by phone call to a Face-to-Face interview. Candidate evaluation was web based, it included measurement of skills, qualifications, and experience using Likert scale.

 Results

Out 364 responses, 39/346 (11.3%) were replicate applications making 307 total applicants. A total of 269/307 (87.6%) applicants were eligible for FETP requirements. Proportion of females was 176/269 (65.4%). Out of 269 candidates; pharmacists, physicians, dentists and veterinarians were 170 (63.2%), 73 (27.1%), 20 (7.4%), 6 (2.2%) respectively. Out of 100 shortlisted applicants; 87 (87%) responded to the call for the interview. A total of 75 interviewed candidates were placed in various departments of preventive sector; 27 (36.0%) at central level and 48 (64.0%) at directorate level representing 19 governorates. Seven candidates (8.0%) were out of the preventive sector and five (5.7%) were veterinarians serving ministry of agriculture.

 Conclusions

The online applications made recruitment process ran smoothly; it was much easier and less time consuming. However, open ended questions could be closed.