Back again; read more about our return trip to Kumasi
Project Title: ISUOG Outreach training in ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology, Part 2
Location: Kumasi, Ghana
Dates: 23 - 28 May 2011
Project partners: Millennium Cities Initiative (MCI), Physicians for Peace, Siemens
Ghana Mothers
Scanning
Kumasi Outreach
Next in line: midwives in Kumasi
Dr. Nayana reviewing scan report with trainee
Dr. Tabor reviews image with Dr. Annie Opoku (trainee)
Trainers and trainees at Suntreso
Follow-up scan
Filling a report
Kumasi midwife
Ghana Team
ISUOG Training Team:
Ann Tabor (Denmark) - Team leader
Dario Paladini (Italy)
Anthony Johnson (USA)
Nayana Parange (Australia)
Christian Bamberg (Germany)
Karen Wøjdemann (Denmark)
Manna Kamio Badiella (Outreach Program Coordinator, ISUOG)
Project purpose: To provide ultrasound training to local OB/GYN practitioners in Kumasi Metropolitain area with the intention that these trainees eventually become local trainers.
Project deliverables:
Goal: By the end of Phase I, trainees will be competent in ultrasound scanning techniques and conduct quality scans in line with basic training outreach templates (SO2).
Output: Training dedicated trainees in basic ultrasound in OB/GYN scanning and hone in on their skills by evaluating their progress and provide mentoring between programs.
Outcome: Trainees competent OB/GN ultrasound scanning will increase level of anomaly identification and aid in preventing preventable causes of maternal mortality locally.
Participants: 11 participants from 3 hospitals where ultrasound equipment had been donated in September 2010, consisting of 4 physicians and 7 nurse midwives
Training location: Suntreso Hospital, Manhiya Hospital, MCHH Hospital, Kumasi South Hospital
Training summary:
The first day was a theoretical course held at Kumasi South Hospital, reviewing material from the first course, and with live demonstrations of early and late obstetrical scans.
During the following three days, the team of trainers broke up into groups of two and carried out decentralised practical hands-on training at the three facilities with ultrasound donations. This was done with the aim to help ISUOG see the extent to which scanning has been integrated into daily clinical practice, and to work together with the trainees to find ways in which this can be further encouraged.
In recent years Ghana has introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme which allows every pregnant woman to have two ultrasound scans. By looking at patients’ Maternal Health Record Books, it is clear that this opportunity is being taken up by most women. However, it also became clear after two days in the local setting that there is a need to ensure that all midwives are trained on what ultrasound means for their practice and what information can be derived from the scans and how to interpret it. The need for further training in gynecology was also identified.
There is a clear shortage of doctors and midwives in the system and our trainees lead extremely busy workdays but they were very engaged and enthusiastic about further integrating ultrasound as a monitoring and diagnostic tool in their practice for improving maternal health. There was a great synergy between the trainers, with each person bringing a little bit of their personality and style to benefit the teaching.
ISUOG and the Outreach team would like to thank all the partners and trainees in helping to make this project a success. We would especially like to thank the trainers who took time out of their busy schedules to participate in this project.