Abstract

GONZALEZ OCHOA, Edilberto; ARMAS PEREZ, Luisa; CANTELAR MARTINEZ, Beatriz  and  CANTELAR DE FRANCISCO, Nereyda. Bases for the assessment of the social impact of a Master's Degree program in Epidemiology. Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol [online]. 2008, vol.46, n.1. ISSN 0253-1751.

OBJETICVE: to evaluate the effectiveness and social impact of the Master's Degree program in Epidemiology. DEVELOPMENT: an appropriate methodological approach of the object of the program was necessary. The assessment of the effect of the program on a short term on the graduates, the professors, the administration, the setting and the community expressed in the posts of employment, the activity carried out, the scientific and investigative responsibilities, their environment and the counsel given, could be used to measure effectiveness. To measure the social impact it would be necessary to delimitate the setting of the community and to apply indicators of the general contribution, the scientific and technical contribution, and the academic teaching influence on a longer term. CONCLUSIONS: the evaluation of the effectivity and of the social impact of the Master's Degree program in Epidemiology is based on the policy and methodological aspects of the advanced education dictated by the ruling state bodies. It is necessary a peculiar multifaceted methodological approach for the evaluative object.

Keywords : Education; postgraduate; master's degree; evaluation; impact; Cuba.