Quality Assurance in Training Schools For Health Personnel

1. Quality Assurance in Training Schools For Health Personnel Presented by: Mme KECHIA Assumpta Basic Training Service

2. Introduction • The Ministry of Public Health has close to 81 schools under its supervision • There has been a great influx of students recently in the training schools • This influx has not been backed by a corresponding increase in clinical practise sites nor in infrastructure nor human resources • There is a paucity of information concerning the norms or standards of training in Cameroon

3. Introduction cont’d • The Ministry has been using a checklist for the creation of new schools • Today there is much talk about standards and norms or quality assurance in the training of health personnel • Quality education has become absolutely crucial in the training of health personnel

4. Introduction Cont’d • For the past two years the Ministry of Public Health has been leaving no stone unturned to put in place colleges of Nursing/Midwives and other paramedics • These colleges will train at the BMD level • This entails having qualified human resources, infrastructure, clinical sites, curriculum and the students

5. Infrastructure • To open a school that trains 50 students the school should be constructed on a surface area of about 2284 square metres – 23720 square metres, with enough space for expansion • The teaching block should consist of: • A lecture hall • Skills laboratory with compartments for obst/gyn, pediatrics and laboratory

6. Infrastructure cont’d • Computer lab • Multipurpose hall • Staff room • Director’s office • Deputy/Assistant Director’s office • Library • An office for each head of department

7. Infrastructure cont’d • Toilets for staff and students • Records room • Audio visual room NB: Transforming our present schools into complexes would be of great advantage as the institutions would be able to share equipment and other facilities

8. Infrastructure cont’d • The training institution should be affiliated to a hospital with a bed capacity of 50 – 240 at least • Student patient ratio should be 1:3

9. Resources/Teaching Staff • For the post of Principal, the occupant should have; • At least a Masters degree • A working experience of at least 5 years For the post of Deputy/Assistant • Masters degree • Working experience of at least 5years

10. Human Resources cont’d • Lecturers should have • A masters degree with a minimum of 2 years working experience • The teacher student ratio should be 1:15 Clinical instructors should have a minimum working experience of 1 year with a qualification of Masters, B. Sc. or the necessary clinical specialty The mentor student ratio should be 1:5

11. Students • The recruitment of students should be based strictly on entry requirements • Students should be provided with clearly written regulations binding their training • The assessment of students should be done using reliable evaluation methodologies, for example performance based evaluation

12. The Curriculum • National and international education criteria should be taken into consideration when drawing up the curriculum • Classroom and clinical learning should deliver the knowledge, skills and attitude required to meet the needs of the population • The curriculum should demonstrate and establish a balance between theory/practice (minimum should be 40% theory and 50% practice

13. Curriculum cont’d • The curriculum should make use of recognized approaches to teaching and learning • Classroom and clinical learning should be based on established competencies • There should be regular evaluation of the curriculum taking into account feedback that is made from the students, the public, stakeholders and users of these services.

14. Clinical sites • Schools should have access to and clinical sites for programme delivery • Clinical instructors should have university degrees and educational expertise in their specialty • Teachers with clinical expertise in a particular specialty should be designated to supervise that area • A variety of qualified people should be enlisted as clinical supervisors

15. The WAY FORWARD • The Ministryisgoing to create a committee for the validation of credentials of all teachers as fromnextacademicyear (2013/2014). • All Directors of Schools for HealthProfessionals are expected to forward the credentials of all prospective teachers/faculty to the Ministry for accreditation. • A committee for the accreditation of schools and clinical areas isalsogoing to be put in place.

16. REFERENCES • Clinical Training Framework For Nursing Education In Mauritius; • Indian Nursing Council: Regulation/Norms of B.Sc Nursing PhysicalFeatures; • Nursing and MidwiferyHumanResources for Health: Global standards for the initial education of professional nurses and midwives, Geneva 2009.

17. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION