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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Katherine L. Turner, MPH and Jeannine Herrick, MPH. Training and Service Delivery Improvement, Ipas, 300 Market Street, Suite 200, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, (919) 960-5624, turnerk@ipas.org

For international organizations, the challenges in human capacity development and quality assurance are great. Barriers include cost, communication and connectivity problems, language and cultural differences, time zones and different expectations and standards.

The Global Trainers' Network (GTN) is an association of reproductive health clinicians specializing in abortion and postabortion care (PAC) training established in 2003. Most were invited after successfully completing trainings of trainers and other criteria. The GTN objectives are to maintain a centralized database; enable agencies to identify and deploy trainers for appropriate events; develop trainers' capacity and ensure consistency in content and methods; increase communication and support; and leverage and measure broader impact. Ultimately, the network aims to increase the provision and quality of woman-centered abortion and PAC services that fulfill women's rights.

Ipas conducted an evaluation in 2005 using in-person and telephone interviews, web-based surveys and focus groups. Currently there are over 200 participants, but at the time of the evaluation, 139 trainers from 28 countries were participating. Evaluation results highlighted success in maintaining a centralized database and email list; updating trainers' clinical and training knowledge and resources; creating a supportive community; and increasing connection with the organizational mission and training approaches. The evaluation also enabled the organization to measure the reach and impact of trainers' abortion and PAC activities. Identified areas for improvement are currently being prioritized and implemented.

This presentation will highlight recommendations for international health programs seeking to maintain professional networks, increase potential using web-based technology and develop human capacity.

Learning Objectives: