Health education in initial professional programmes

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. This article offers the perceptions of teaching staff about Initial Professional Qualification Programmes (PCPI) in the Basque Country regarding health education. METHOD. The research is of a quantitative nature and ex-post facto, and its aim is to describe the implementation processes for health education projects in these educational establishments. RESULTS. The results obtained indicate that teachers need to train students in taking responsible decisions regarding health. Although subjects related to health education are important for teaching staff, the latter recognise that they are taught sporadically and not very systematically in the classroom. Lastly, when analysing the collaboration that exists between social and educational organisations, it can be ascertained that basic social services and institutions from the social sector are those that are most involved in lending support to these programmes. Teachers’ centres, Ministries of Education and Health, volunteers, the university and education inspection provide little suport to teachers from Initial Professional Qualification Programmes on preventive work and on promoting health. DISCUSSION. It is therefore worrying that educational establishments where so many resources are invested actually contribute so little to a fundamental aspect of the development of individuals. If the school attempts to encourage students’ integral development it must necessarily tackle the issues related to health by integrating it into their educational and curricular project, and coordinate it alongside other initiatives being developed in society.