Browsing by Subject "training"
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- ItemOpen AccessInformation Literacy in Practice: engaging public library workers in rural South Africa(SAGE, 2007) De Jager, Karin; Nassimbeni, MaryMpumalanga Provincial Library Services, South Africa, offers public library services in a largely rural 'new' province created in 1996. Many of the libraries are in isolated areas and have to meet the very diverse needs of their communities. This paper reports the results of an information literacy intervention designed for public library workers in this province. The campaign, a first of its kind in Mpumalanga (and South Africa), gave public library workers the opportunity to develop their information literacy skills and to apply them in their libraries. This paper discusses the information and training needs that were identified, the campaigns that were constructed, their progress and the outcomes. From the outset, emphasis was placed on the importance of measuring and evaluating activities throughout their campaigns in order to be able to assess the impact of their interventions. The paper attempts to show what difference even small public libraries with unqualified library workers can make in tackling social exclusion in disadvantaged communities.
- ItemOpen AccessSupporting middle-cadre health care workers in Malawi: lessons learned during implementation of the PALM PLUS package(BioMed Central, 2014-05-12) Sodhi, Sumeet; Banda, Hastings; Kathyola, Damson; Joshua, Martias; Richardson, Faye; Mah, Emmay; MacGregor, Hayley; Kanike, Emmanuel; Thompson, Sandy; Fairall, Lara; Bateman, Eric; Zwarenstein, Merrick; Schull, Michael JBackground: The government of Malawi is committed to the broad rollout of antiretroviral treatment in Malawi in the public health sector; however one of the primary challenges has been the shortage of trained health care workers. The Practical Approach to Lung Health Plus HIV/AIDS in Malawi (PALM PLUS) package is an innovative guideline and training intervention that supports primary care middle-cadre health care workers to provide front-line integrated primary care. The purpose of this paper is to describe the lessons learned in implementing the PALM PLUS package. Methods: A clinical tool, based on algorithm- and symptom-based guidelines was adapted to the Malawian context. An accompanying training program based on educational outreach principles was developed and a cascade training approach was used for implementation of the PALM PLUS package in 30 health centres, targeting clinical officers, medical assistants, and nurses. Lessons learned were identified during program implementation through engagement with collaborating partners and program participants and review of program evaluation findings. Results: Key lessons learned for successful program implementation of the PALM PLUS package include the importance of building networks for peer-based support, ensuring adequate training capacity, making linkages with continuing professional development accreditation and providing modest in-service training budgets. The main limiting factors to implementation were turnover of staff and desire for financial training allowances. Conclusions: The PALM PLUS approach is a potential model for supporting mid-level health care workers to provide front-line integrated primary care in low and middle income countries, and may be useful for future task-shifting initiatives.
- ItemOpen AccessSurgical trainee supervision during non-trauma emergency laparotomy in Rwanda and South Africa(2021) Pohl, Linda M; Chu, KathrynObjective: The primary objective was to describe the level of surgical trainee autonomy during non-trauma emergency laparotomy (NTEL) operations in Rwanda and South Africa. The secondary objective was to identify potential associations between trainee autonomy, and patient mortality and reoperation. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a prospective, observational study of NTEL operations at three teaching hospitals in South Africa and Rwanda over a oneyear period from September 1, 2017 – August 31, 2018. A total of 543 operations on adults over the age of 18 years who underwent NTEL performed by the acute care and general surgery services were included. Results: surgical trainees led three quarters of NTEL operations, and of these, 72% were performed autonomously in Rwanda and South Africa. Trainees were less likely to perform the operations autonomously for patients who were: age ≥ 60 years, had ASA classification ≥ III, had cancer or TB. Notably, trainee autonomy was not significantly associated with reoperation or mortality. Conclusions: trainees were able to gain autonomous surgical experience without impacting mortality or reoperation outcomes, while still providing surgical support in a high-demand setting. More in-depth studies to understand the association of high trainee autonomy with surgical competency and patient safety is needed.