Perioperative Education Programme
Introduction
The programme is designed to provide an evidenced based update for perioperative nurses, using adult learning principles and delivered in the country, followed by an evaluative visit and a leadership development course.
A three-visit programme for countries requesting our assistance has been implemented and has proved to be a successful model. Ministry of Health officials and Chief Nursing Officers are key partners in cost sharing and provision of a tailor made programme to meet the country's needs thus creating for the country a sustainable partnership and capacity improvement within the theatre nursing population.
We have recently undertaken a fourth element in one country, a Train the Trainers Course and are discussing whether we have funds and capacity to add this for each country.
Knowledge based update workshop
Travel to and accommodation in the capital city is funded for up to a maximum of 50 delegates by the local funding partner, whilst FoAN funds travel and accommodation for the tutors.
The first morning is spent visiting local hospitals in the host city to get an overview of the working conditions and practice in the operating departments. This is followed by a formal opening ceremony usually attended by dignitaries from the official bodies and all the delegates and has been filmed and recorded for national TV, radio and press.
A programme of didactic lectures, seminars and workshop- based learning takes place over the following days. This is often the first formal perioperative education that many have experienced and the first opportunity to network with colleagues from around the country when best local practice is shared and developed. Many delegates have received a formal perioperative education programme in their country but little on-going education, since. The week enables practical discussion of how international best practice and knowledge may be introduced, albeit often modified to fit the resources available in the country.
Delegates evaluate their learning through feedback sessions and formal evaluation. This has shown that all students have benefited substantially from the experience. The final formal session is a closing ceremony with awards of certificates of attendance and gifts of a practical nature to take back to their departments. These range from eye protection to surgical instruments, nursing scissors and material to aid decontamination of equipment.
A report on the delegates' feedback and tutors findings and recommendations is then sent to the Ministry, and Chief Nurse.
Benchmarking and problem based learning programme
Having been introduced as a concept and with partnership funding from the official bodies, the second visit uses a three-centre approach. The capital and two major cities or districts are used as bases for benchmarking exercises and further tutorials and workshops. Delegates from the previous courses are invited through the Ministry and their local hospital administration to attend a follow-up session. Being in three centres, travel and accommodation are less arduous as delegates attend the sessions in their geographically closest centre.
One tutor undertakes a benchmarking exercise in the operating theatres using a specific audit tool whilst the other tutor reviews with the delegates the change management that has been undertaken since the first visit and any problems that have been encountered. Based on the outcome of the audit and the discussions with delegates, the rest of the visit is spent in a problem based learning exercise to resolve issues raised by both.
This process is used in all three centres, with a feedback report being sent to the Chief Nursing Officer in the Ministry and local hospital authorities.
Leadership Development Programme.
Over the previous two visits, potential leaders emerge naturally and this visit is aimed at development of the leadership within perioperative nursing speciality through partnership with the relevant officials. A small group of those potential leaders is taken through a week of learning new skills based on workshop learning of key management and leadership principles.
Identification of learning needs is able to be tailored to the groups needs, by discussion and negotiation. Master classes and individual mentorship is central to the learning and development of each individual.
Train the Trainers Programme
Sustainability of the education already delivered, as well as the nurses knowledge base for disseminating the information gained, is important to FoAN. A four day Train the Trainers was run in Malawi in November 2007 (see Malawi 07 report) and was a tremendous success.
We are considering rolling this programme out to other countries, but this will be dependent on funds and opportunity.