Training
starts early on in the programme and follows individual staff performance
profiles which measure skills, knowledge and attitude of individuals based
on practical assessments. The profiles are then maintained and updated
as training is given and individual progress made.
Family Care join the knowledge of local consultants together with expatriate
health professionals who together ensure that the evidence based teaching
given is balanced with the local perspective and capacity to provide similar
care.
Family Care believes that only intensive, on-the-job training with skilled professionals
can produce rapid and sustained change in health care practice. Health
providers must be able to see a demonstrable positive impact of new approaches
to encourage a change from that which is outdated. All training requires
thorough practical follow up and guidance, working with patients and adapting
to the conditions of each facilities. Family Care health trainers are
readily available to respond to requests for assistance both day and night
which is considered a vital part of the training inputs as it is often
emergencies for which local staff are lest well prepared. This emphasis
on practical training allows for much more rapid changes to take place
both in level of skill and in attitudes. It also creates a strong rapport
between the staff of the organisation and their local counterparts.
Training should be divided to address needs of both medical and ancillary
staff and look at management and organisational practice, health information
systems, clinical and communication skills.
Family
Care has organised short overseas visits for medical staff and considers
this to be valuable when much of the mainstream training is complete.
It allows those who are likely to act as catalysts for future change to
gain additional insight into other systems at work and to meet a much
larger number of associate colleagues abroad with whom they then maintain
contact.
Young medics are enthusiastic to gain maximum knowledge of global changes
in medical practice. In February 2001, two consultant obstetricians from
the UK traveled to Karabagh with "Family Care" and ran an intensive
course on "Obstetric Emergencies". Two local obstetricians,
Dr. Vartkes Osipov and Dr. Edic Kagramanyan showed particular ability
and went on to run a modified course for midwives of Karabagh. Consequently
they were invited to Stoke Maternity Hospital in the UK . This has offered
an invaluable experience for these two young doctors who are already agents
of change within their own hospital. On their return they said they had
gained a huge store of new knowledge and were carrying with them a wealth
of new literature. These are the kind of activities that can help lead
to longer lasting changes. One of them has since taught the course as
part of Family Care's training activities in Maralik, Armenia .
Steps in Health Assistance: