Constructs and conceptions facing education for health students, teachers and graduates of higher education programs in the area of health

Abstract

Background: Health Education is a field of knowledge relevant to the health disciplines but its development has not been coherent. Objective: To understand student, faculty, and /or alumni conceptions of health education in five higher education programs in the health field. Materials and methods: Various qualitative methods were undertaken within five academic units in two of Medellin’s universities, including observations, interviews and focus groups developed by students, faculty and/or alumni. Results: Health Education is not well defined; the diverse conceptions are related to the significant attributes of both the health and education fields. As such, there are views of health education that critique traditional education, and other views that critique health and adopt more traditional rhetoric and practices mainstream to education. This creates a wide spectrum that makes up the multifaceted vision and understanding of Health Education. Conclusion: Current conceptions of Health Education are a product of diverse theoretical and pedagogic positions with respect to education and health, which highlights differences between the disciplines and among the various conceptions of both the trainers and the trainees.