The main goals of this study included the assessment of the level of key competences and training needs of the prevention workforce in European countries, and the examination of participants' characteristic differences in assessing the key competences necessary for prevention work. METHOD: Altogether, 154 respondents from 26 countries completed the online questionnaire. Survey participants were identified via the PubMed database and via the snowball technique. Invitations to complete the survey were transmitted to the participants electronically or by phone. Descriptive analyses and non-parametric tests (Wilcoxon signedrank test and Kruskal-Wallis test) were used to analyze the survey data. RESULTS: The results indicated that basic knowledge of theoretical background and research findings showed the highest levels among the competences the prevention workforce currently possessed, while advocacy of quality prevention was the skill with the lowest perceived level among ten key competences. Comparison between the current levels of key competences and their desired levels suggested a significant gap between the knowledge/ skills gained and those needed in all areas of prevention work, especially in advocacy and funding. The results also indicated that job characteristics, especially job seniority, have some effects on the survey results. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the SPAN survey support the need to invest in prevention education/training. Priority in investment should be given to training prevention workers in advocacy of quality prevention and funding. The results imply that there is a need for the modernization of education in the field of prevention science in Europe.

Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences University of Zagreb Croatia

Institute for Research and Development “Utrip” Slovenia

Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw Poland

Oxford Brookes University United Kingdom

Literatura