A mixed methods evaluation of a World Health Organization competency-based training package for foundational helping skills among pre-service and in-service health workers in Nepal, Peru and Uganda.

Journal: Global mental health (Cambridge, England)

Volume: 10

Issue: 

Year of Publication: 

Affiliated Institutions:  Center for Global Mental Health Equity, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA. Program Department, Transcultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO) Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal. Uganda Country Office, Programs Department, HealthRight International, Kampala, Uganda. Socios En Salud Sucursal Perú, Lima, Peru. School of Psychology, Department of Mental Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. School of Social Work, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA. Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.

Abstract summary 

Health systems globally demand more competent workers but lack competency-based training programs to reach their goals. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a competency-based curriculum (EQUIP-FHS) for trainers and supervisors to teach foundational helping knowledge, attitudes and skills, guided by the WHO/UNICEF EQUIP platform, to improve the competency of in-service and pre-service workers from various health and other service sectors. A mixed-methods, uncontrolled before-and-after trial was conducted in Nepal, Peru, and Uganda from 2020 to 2021. Trainees' ( = 150) competency data were collected during 13 FHS trainings. Paired -tests assessed pre- to post-change in ENACT competency measures (e.g., harmful, helpful). Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. EQUIP-FHS trainings, on average, were 20 h in duration. Harmful behaviors significantly decreased, and helpful behaviors significantly increased, across and within sites from pre-to post-training. Qualitatively, trainees and trainers promoted the training and highlighted difficult competencies and areas for scaling the training. A brief competency-based curriculum on foundational helping delivered through pre-service or in-service training can reduce the risk that healthcare workers and other service providers display harmful behaviors. We recommend governmental and nongovernmental organizations implement competency-based approaches to enhance the quality of their existing workforce programming and be one step closer to achieving the goal of quality healthcare around the globe.

Authors & Co-authors:  Pedersen Gloria A GA Shrestha Pragya P Akellot Josephine J Sepulveda Alejandra A Luitel Nagendra P NP Kasujja Rosco R Contreras Carmen C Galea Jerome T JT Moran Leydi L Neupane Vibha V Rimal Damodar D Schafer Alison A Kohrt Brandon A BA

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations :  Adhikari B, Mishra SR and Schwarz R (2022) Transforming Nepal’s primary health care delivery system in global health era: Addressing historical and current implementation challenges. Globalization and Health 18(1), 8. 10.1186/s12992-022-00798-5.
Authors :  13
Identifiers
Doi : e55
SSN : 2054-4251
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
assessment tools;competence;developing countries;education;healthcare workers
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Qualitative,Mixed Methods
Country of Study
Uganda
Publication Country
England