Strengthening health workforce capacity through work-based training
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Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC international health and human rights,
Abstract
Although much attention has been given to increasing the number of health workers, less focus has
been directed at developing models of training that address real-life workplace needs. Makerere University School
of Public Health (MakSPH) with funding support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
developed an eight-month modular, in-service work-based training program aimed at strengthening the capacity
for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) in health service delivery.
Methods: This capacity building program, initiated in 2008, is offered to in-service health professionals working in
Uganda. The purpose of the training is to strengthen the capacity to provide quality health services through
hands-on training that allows for skills building with minimum work disruptions while encouraging greater
involvement of other institutional staff to enhance continuity and sustainability. The hands-on training uses practical
gaps and challenges at the workplace through a highly participatory process. Trainees work with other staff to
design and implement ‘projects’ meant to address work-related priority problems, working closely with mentors.
Trainees’ knowledge and skills are enhanced through short courses offered at specific intervals throughout the
course.
Results: Overall, 143 trainees were admitted between 2008 and 2011. Of these, 120 (84%) from 66 institutions
completed the training successfully. Of the trainees, 37% were Social Scientists, 34% were Medical/Nursing/Clinical
Officers, 5.8% were Statisticians, while 23% belonged to other professions. Majority of the trainees (80%) were
employed by Non-Government Organizations while 20% worked with the public health sector. Trainees
implemented 66 projects which addressed issues such as improving access to health care services; reducing waiting
time for patients; strengthening M&E systems; and improving data collection and reporting. The projects
implemented aimed to improve trainees’ skills and competencies in M&E and CQI and the design of the projects
was such that they could share these skills with other staff, with minimal interruptions of their work.
Description
Keywords
Work-based, Health workforce development, Capacity building, Training, Uganda
Citation
Matovu, J. K., Wanyenze, R. K., Mawemuko, S., Okui, O., Bazeyo, W., & Serwadda, D. (2013). Strengthening health workforce capacity through work-based training. BMC international health and human rights, 13(1), 1-13.https://bmcinthealthhumrights.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-698X-13-8