| Popis: |
A key issue in the development of global health is the lack of formal leadership training in LMIC. Newly-qualified consultants are frequently required to lead entire departments or hospitals, advocate at national level for increased access to funding, drugs and equipment, and teach large numbers of healthcare staff, with little or no formal leadership training. In partnership, the Zambia Anaesthesia Development Program and Western Sussex NHS Trust developed a four-week leadership fellowship in the NHS for Consultants from LMIC. This fellowship combined training in the clinical environment, lectures, interactive workshops and seminars and simulation training. Thirty-nine UK professionals volunteered training, including Chief Executives, Consultants and senior nurses. Leadership fellows were mentored by a project manager in developing a quality improvement project (QIP) for their institution. We formally evaluated the fellowship using a focus-group interview and online survey. In the interview, the group were asked to design the fellowship for the following year enabling insight into what was gained, additional training needs and exploration of learning as a group and as individuals. An end-of-fellowship online survey used six free-text questions to explore benefits, learning needs and local implementation. Data were analysed thematically. Five Consultants from Zambia and Malawi (Anaesthesia 3, Urology 2) participated. All reported they enjoyed the fellowship and found it useful. Most common themes identified by participants were exposure to multidisciplinary learning, outcomes associated with quality improvement training and skills for working with colleagues. At three-months, all leadership fellows reported their QIP was still active, and two had run leadership training locally training a further twenty-one healthcare providers. Developing a fellowship in the UK was an efficient way to utilise the diverse skills and experiences available in the NHS. |
