Strengthening Public Health Graduate Competencies through Field-Based Learning

A Case Study at Diponegoro University

Field-Based Learning Practice (FBLP) has become a key component in the curriculum of the Faculty of Public Health, Diponegoro University. This learning model emphasizes hands-on experience through community engagement, aiming to bridge the gap between theory and real-world health challenges. FBLP places students directly in community settings, where they engage in a structured problem-solving cycle that includes problem identification, root cause analysis, and the design and implementation of intervention strategies. This study adopts a qualitative case study approach to analyze 20 student group reports from FBLP conducted between 2023 and 2024. Data were collected through documentation review and thematic analysis, focusing on the development of students' competencies. These include technical skills such as health issue analysis, intervention planning, and program evaluation, as well as soft skills like communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Findings show that FBLP significantly strengthens both technical and interpersonal competencies. Students demonstrated improved problem-solving abilities, deeper understanding of public health dynamics, and better readiness to work in multidisciplinary environments. The application of Multiple Criteria Utility Assessment (MCUA), Fishbone, and How-How analysis methods enriched students’ learning experience and provided a holistic view of community-based health interventions. FBLP is proven to be an effective pedagogical strategy for preparing students to respond to the complex demands of public health practice. This model may serve as a reference for other institutions seeking to enhance competency-based education through experiential learning.