Fostering workforce capacity to maximize opportunities for the digital transformation of public health in Canada

The rapid deployment of digital tools and their attendant successes and failures during the COVID-19 pandemic drew attention to critical gaps in the public health workforce’s capacity to maximize the potential of digital technologies. However, the public health practice competencies, training models and inter- or transdisciplinary partnerships needed to build this capacity are not well understood. Our study addresses this gap, through a rapid review of the literature and environmental scan of digital public health training and other allied programs in Canada, followed by focus groups with key informants at Canadian schools of public health and public health agencies. Our goal is to develop recommendations for digital public health practice competencies, training, and partnerships in Canada, consistent with the vision of Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer of transforming Canada’s public health system through a strong and supported public health workforce.