Improving the system continuous professional development of the health workers

Abstract

Issue In modern conditions of the labor market, there is a need to implement an effective system of continuous professional development (CPD) of health workers (HWs) in accordance with existing and emerging health care needs. The system of CPD of HWs should be aimed at maintaining and improving the competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities) of each individual specialist, important to meet the changing needs of patients and the health system. Description of the Problem The lack of effectiveness of the CPD system of HWs in the Kazakhstan is due to the lack of accounting for many types of training activities in the system for confirming the qualifications of HWs (with certification of HWs every 5 years). So at present, when confirming a certificate, only formal additional education courses are taken into account, however, they do not correspond to the qualification level of a HW. Such types of activities in the CPD are not taken into account: non-formal education (fellowships, master classes, online trainings, etc.), activities that are aimed at developing and maintaining professional competencies such as mentoring young specialists, publication articles, participation in conferences, etc. Changes: We have developed a new system for the CPD of HWs, harmonized with the procedure for regularly confirming the certificate of a HW (physician, nurse, pharmaceutical worker, specialist of the sanitary and epidemiological service), which gives access to professional work. The new CPD system is based on the credit accumulation mechanism in which Professional Development Units are assigned for each type of activity of formal and non-formal additional education and other types of activity aimed at professional development (mentoring, articles, conferences, expert activities, etc.). Lessons The introduction of a new CPD system allows for the effective maintenance and improvement of the qualifications of health workers. Key messages The lack of effectiveness of the CPD system of HWs is a serious barrier to maintaining the HWs qualifications at a sufficient level. The introduction of credit accumulation mechanisms for recording achievements in non-formal and non-formal additional education has enabled the formation of an effective system for the CPD of HWs.