Shaping and authorising a public health profession

Abstract

The aim of this short report is to stimulate a discussion on the state of a public health
profession in Europe and actions which need to be taken to authorise public health
professionals based on their competencies. While regulated professions such as medical
doctors, nurses, lawyers, and architects can enjoy the benefits of the 2005/36/EC Directive amended by 2013/55/EU Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications, public health professionals are left out from these influential (elite) professions. Firstly, we use the profession traits theory as a framework in arguing whether public health can be a legitimate profession in itself; secondly, we explain who public health professionals are and what usually is required for shaping the public health profession; and thirdly, we attempt to sketch the road to the authorisation or licensing of public health professionals. Finally, we propose some recommendations.