Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Polikron Pulluqi¹, Llukan Rrumbullaku¹, Zhenihen Zanaj², Richard Sturgis², and Marcel Reyners². (1) Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Center, 372 Dibra Street, Tirana, Albania, +355 42 38199, ppulluqi@yahoo.com, (2) PRO Shendetit Project URC, Rruga Budi 41/1, Tirana, Albania

Albania started a two-year training program of family doctors in 1997 for 12 students each year. Over 100 general practitioners start working as general physicians with limited practical training joining the 1,600 physicians trained in the past. In 2002, a USAID supported program worked with the Faculty of Medicine and the MoH to develop a 23 module training program. A follow-on USAID project, PRO Shėndetit (PRO Health), working with the MoH has initiated a program to update the skills of general physicians in five prefectures. The program is being achieved through the development of a peer training and facilitative supervision program. Along with the MoH, the key partners are the Faculty of Medicine and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

The candidates, to undergo the TOT provided by the partners, and to become peer trainers are selected by authorities from the MoH and the Faculty of Medicine. All selected candidates follow a three-months training regime. It includes teaching techniques and 28 modules related to PHC. Training takes place during weekends. Two members of the AAFP provide a full week of training on specific techniques such as otoscopy, wound repairing, communication skills, and on mental diseases.

After accomplishment of the basic training for trainers, each participant teaches four modules to rotating groups of six general physicians. Training takes place at health centers; it is practice oriented and competency based. The faculty members regularly provide facilitative supervision of peer training. Results of this program will be presented at the conference.

Learning Objectives: