Building and validating a competency framework and measurement tool for global health diplomacy workforce development
1
Peking University, Beijing, China
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Global health diplomacy integrates public health and international relations and plays an increasingly critical role in addressing transnational health challenges. However, the absence of a context-specific competency framework and validated assessment tools has constrained systematic capacity building and workforce development in this field. This study aimed to construct a competency indicator system for global health diplomacy and to develop and validate a corresponding self-assessment scale to support public health leadership and talent development.
METHODS:
A mixed-methods design was employed. First, an initial competency framework was developed through literature review and refined through two rounds of Delphi consultation with multidisciplinary experts. Indicator weights were determined using the Preference Ranking Method. Based on the finalized framework, a Global Health Diplomacy Competency Self-Rating Scale was developed and administered to trainees before and after a structured training program. Psychometric properties were examined using item analysis, reliability testing, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and paired t-tests.
RESULTS:
The finalized framework comprised six primary domains and 31 secondary indicators, covering core global health knowledge, political environment analysis, cross-cultural communication, diplomatic skills, decision-making and leadership, and partnership building and policy advocacy. The self-rating scale included 39 items across the same six domains and demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.974), strong content and construct validity, and satisfactory model fit after item parceling (Comparative Fit Index = 0.968; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.072). Post-training scores increased significantly overall (P < 0.05), indicating sensitivity to competency change.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study establishes an integrated competency framework and a validated measurement tool for global health diplomacy, providing a practical foundation for workforce assessment, training evaluation, and leadership development in public health systems. The approach supports evidence-informed capacity building and may be adapted to other national and institutional contexts.
Global health diplomacy integrates public health and international relations and plays an increasingly critical role in addressing transnational health challenges. However, the absence of a context-specific competency framework and validated assessment tools has constrained systematic capacity building and workforce development in this field. This study aimed to construct a competency indicator system for global health diplomacy and to develop and validate a corresponding self-assessment scale to support public health leadership and talent development.
METHODS:
A mixed-methods design was employed. First, an initial competency framework was developed through literature review and refined through two rounds of Delphi consultation with multidisciplinary experts. Indicator weights were determined using the Preference Ranking Method. Based on the finalized framework, a Global Health Diplomacy Competency Self-Rating Scale was developed and administered to trainees before and after a structured training program. Psychometric properties were examined using item analysis, reliability testing, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and paired t-tests.
RESULTS:
The finalized framework comprised six primary domains and 31 secondary indicators, covering core global health knowledge, political environment analysis, cross-cultural communication, diplomatic skills, decision-making and leadership, and partnership building and policy advocacy. The self-rating scale included 39 items across the same six domains and demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.974), strong content and construct validity, and satisfactory model fit after item parceling (Comparative Fit Index = 0.968; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.072). Post-training scores increased significantly overall (P < 0.05), indicating sensitivity to competency change.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study establishes an integrated competency framework and a validated measurement tool for global health diplomacy, providing a practical foundation for workforce assessment, training evaluation, and leadership development in public health systems. The approach supports evidence-informed capacity building and may be adapted to other national and institutional contexts.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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