Global perspective and local actions for a doctoral program in health sciences Perspectiva global y acción local para un programa doctoral en ciencias de la salud

Abstract

A base and position document was designed with the objective of considering the current conditions required to conceptualize a doctorate program in health sciences in Colombia, and explore its viability and feasibility. Some central topics were established by means of a theoretical review, expert discussion and defining categories in order to gain a better understanding of the situation. Five key categories were defined by an heuristic process, that is, “history of doctorates”; “global perspective”; “situation at the national level”; “elements available in the FUCS”; and “prospective”, which show a global panorama of excess offer and job insecurity versus the need and the possibility to generate local health care developments and innovations to conduct a doctorate program respecting excellence, integrity and students and trained human talent. The fundamental conclusion was that a PhD program in health sciences depends on how feasible and strong some factors such as well formulated and implemented projects, a team of expert and competent supervisors and co-directors and a set of administrative, financial and structural capabilities are, all ultimately implying political and directive will.