Training Local Health Professionals

and Capacity Building

James A. Litch MD, DTMH

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;

WA Department of Health, Epidemiology Office;

University of Washington School of Medicine

Presentation Overview

• International health assistance• Community based health projects• National training curricula and training

programs• Finding your place • Preparation and timing

Vertical Programs and Primary Care

• International aid projects continue to promote vertical programs

• Needs are great at the community/health post level

• Projects will demand a narrow focus, however health workers needs will be broader

• Be creative so knowledge can be applied broadly

Community Based Training Programs:

Examples

• Mission Hospitals

• Peace Corps

• Small INGOs

• Individual arrangements

Community Based Training Programs: Pearls

• Great need for training of health providers

• Sites are often isolated from national resources

• Many trainers produce their own material

• Don’t re-invent; resources exist

National Training Curricula and Training Programs

• Most countries have established health training programs

• These commonly focus on:– Reproductive Health – Child Health/Immunizations– Logistic Supply

• Good materials exist within county or in the region

International Organizations Partnered with

Ministry of Health• JHPIEGO – FP, Safemotherhood, HIV, Infection

Prevention, Training Trainers, National Training Systems

• INTRAH/PRIME II – FP, Safemotherhood, Adolescent Health

• Engender Health – FP, Infection Prevention, HIV, Adolescent Health

• UNFPA/UNICEF – Family Planning, Safemotherhood

• JSI – Child Survival, Logistic Supply

Finding Your Place

• Resources are available for use; check with local health ministry and partner international agencies

• A few positions exist with international agencies developing material and training systems

Preparation

• Training:– Broad clinical skills: family practice

residency training– Diploma in Tropical Medicine and

Hygiene

• Experience (volunteer):– Clinical teaching at home– Short-term overseas clinical work

A Gradual Process

• Significant overseas experience is required for long-term positions with international training agencies

• Volunteer positions are a fast start to international experience

• Build experience gradually and it will pay off

Medical Tourism

Source: Bishop RA and Litch JA. Medical tourism can do harm. BMJ 2000 Apr 8;320(7240):1017. http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/320/7240/1017

DEFINITION: Exotic travel to a developing region with a brief opportunity to practice medicine on local residents

Medical Tourism vs

Health Development

Facilitate learning that impacts practice

Treating individual patients yourself