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Occupational Medicine Training Course; lessons learned. Fifth TEMPUS National Information Day Ministry of Higher Education- 7 th Feb 2010. Hyam Bashour Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University Syrian coordinator for the Tempus Project on Occupational Medicine. Partners.
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Occupational Medicine Training Course; lessons learned Fifth TEMPUS National Information Day Ministry of Higher Education- 7th Feb 2010 Hyam Bashour Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University Syrian coordinator for the Tempus Project on Occupational Medicine
The project • Scientific Coordination from La Sapienza • Project management from UNIMED • National Committee in Syria headed by Dean and attended by local coordinators from three universities and MOSAL
MEDTRA project • Teachers from Italy, Malta and Syria • Sixteen students from Damascus, Aleppo and Homs universities • Two years theoretical Training in Syria and a practical training in Rome • 7 modules (1st year) and 9 modules (2nd year); each for 3-5 days. One week practical in the 3rd year • An exam of 60 MCQs • Development of Teaching Materials in OM • Equipments are provided for prospective centres for occupational Medicine in 3 Syrian universities!
Lesson One National Needs • A project that fits national needs is of extremely high potential value!
Facts on Health and Safety in Syria • Occupational health remains neglected in because of competing priorities • Occupational Diseases and injuries have great human and economic impact • Occupational Health research is scarce • Heath and Safety (H & S) concepts still immature • Safety at workplaces is not legalized or systematized • Number of Occupational doctors is minimal
Lesson Two Mission and activities • The lack of active involvement on behalf of Syrian Partners at the planning stage have resulted in problems related to the outcomes of the project.
What has worked and Not! • Learning in Cross-cultural environment • Exchange and mobility of the Syrian Students as well as the Italian/Maltese professors • European Health and Safety policies were well introduced to students • Lack of H&S policies in Syria reduced opportunities for students • Speedy and poor selection of students had affected the outcome (varied backgrounds and interest!)
Lesson Three Sustainability • The sustainability of the new curriculum is threatened by the lack of good understanding of the rules and regulations of Syrian universities • Also it is threatened by the potential lack of opportunity to continue life long learning on behalf of the students
Why! • Training Is very interesting • But students are interested in degrees (not certificates) and in work opportunities • The training course was considered as equal to 3 months training of the Master in Occupational Health that Damascus University issue (DU is the only Syrian University with this Master) • Degree cannot be issued!. • Functionality of the centre is critical but challenging!
Lesson Four Dissemination • Dissemination for the project is important and was active. It would have been more successful If dissemination workshops in Syria has focused on the theme (H & S) rather than the project.
Where! • Syria • Italy • Tunisia All for advocacy purposes
Lesson Five Quality Assurance • The course could have contributed more to our university/ies strategies for quality assurance.
Whatis going on! • Currently QA in Syria is focused on Undergraduate curricula • QA is a vehicle for quality enhancement of the curriculum • Staff and students evaluations were carried out but did not contribute to the New Curriculum per se. • Lack of engagement of Syrian partners in the progress reporting
In Conclusion! An opportunity to advocate for the specialty in Occupational Health and to foster H & S national policies was opened by European partners, but it would have benefited more from proper planning at the preparatory stage and proper selection of trainees! • Time pressure ! • Focus on process rather than outcome! • Driven by opportunity rather than by proper analysis of the situation ! • Others! ??
شكراً لكم Thank YOU Merci Grazzi