ISUOG Outreach training in ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology in Kyrgyzstan- Phase I Trip 2.
Location: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Dates: 22-26 May 2023
Project Partners: Kyrgyz Association of Radiology, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Health, the Family Clinic.
Trainees: 25
Project Purpose: To provide ultrasound training to local OB/GYN practitioners in Kyrgyzstan with the intention that these trainees eventually become local trainers and build local capacity for greater sustainable development in maternal health outcomes countrywide.
Project Deliverables
Goal: By the end of Phase I, local trainers will be confident in scanning techniques and conduct quality scans in line with basic training outreach templates (SO2).
Output: Training local trainers in basic ultrasound in OB/GYN scanning by evaluating their progress and provide mentoring between programs.
Outcome: Trainers will be confident in quality OBGYN scanning and competent in delivering OB/GN ultrasound training to help increase the level of anomaly identification and aid in preventing preventable causes of maternal mortality locally.
Participants: 26 trainees from across Kyrgyzstan.
Training Location: Bishkek Obstetrics and Gynecological Hospital
This was the first time the program was happening on the ground in Kyrgyzstan due to both the restrictions of COVID-19 previously and the delay to come onsite due to the Ukrainian-Russian War, which affected the trainers. Trip 1 was conducted entirely online with tremendous success in which all trainers and ISUOG Outreach team utilised Zoom in order to carry out theoretical and practical training, including assessments.
The Basic Training Curriculum was used in training and divided accordingly among the trainees for delivery, with pre- and post-test assessment in both practical and theoretical skill set applied at the beginning and end of the program in order to assess skills attained. The entire training took place in Russian. It is worth noting that the entire content (presentation, assessments and materials) were entirely translated by ISUOG’s volunteer Russian translators who manged to work around the clock to help make this trip a real success.
Trainees were reunited with their mentors, whom they had been engaging with during the interim between Trip 1 and Trip 2. During this trip, trainers were meant to begin evaluating and commenting on how could be a potential trainer within their trainee groups. Evaluations were based on the engagement of the trainees with their trainers and their overall assessments, leading to the evaluations from A (Potential trainer/Sonographer) to D (low quality, needs improvement). These evaluations are only an indicator to help the trainee understand their progress, with final evaluations given at Trip 3. The present identified seven potential trainers, with two F’s (not suitable for OBGYN ultrasound training).
A roundtable was held between trainers, the individual trainee, ISUOG, government and project partners. While an evaluation was given, the trainee was also given the chance to indicate if there were any challenges for them in practicing ultrasound. Out of 26 trainees, 11 trainees were identified as potential trainers in the making which is a first for ISUOG Outreach. Final evaluation and advancement is pending completion of Trip 3, which will determine who will advance as NUE trainers for Phase II.
It is an understatement to say that this program would not have been possible without the brilliant support of the Kyrgyz Association for Radiology for their phenomenal work and partnership. This trip had held so much promise for the future and we are looking forward to launching Trip 3 early in 2024.