Psychosocial paediatric training in Iraq: perspectives of trainers and students

Abstract

There is an absence of education regarding psychosocial issues in Iraqi paediatric training programmes. The aim of this study is to examine current knowledge and perspectives around these topics and to explore potential development in these programmes. 56 paediatric trainers and students at the Child Central Teaching Hospital, a hospital affiliated to the Al-Mustansyria medical college in Baghdad, responded to a questionnaire to evaluate knowledge and perspectives regarding psychosocial approaches to child and adolescent health as delivered presently via academic training and used in professional practice. The majority of the respondents reported having no training in psychosocial interventions. Using a scale from 0 ('not relevant') to 10 ('very important'), psychosocial issues were rated 7.1 in their relevance to everyday paediatric practice. On a scale of 0 ('very poor') to 10 ('totally adequate'), respondents rated formal current psychosocial training at 2.5. It is concluded that incorporating psychosocial approaches in paediatric training will lead to a broader base of knowledge in children's health and contribute to the promotion of multidisciplinary practice in Iraq.

Perceptions, experiences and expectations of Iraqi medical students

“…The loss of faculty has impaired the teaching capacity of Iraq’s medical schools [ 32 ]. With the absence of professional staff, much of the pre-clinical laboratory teaching has been reduced to theoretical explanations, without the practical laboratory sessions [ 16 ].…”

“…Deans named missed days of classes, graduation with gaps in knowledge, and poor security in the surrounding region. There were also difficulty with faculty and staff recruitment and retention, finances, email, and internet access [ 32 ]. The majority of medical students surveyed in that study also said their training had been impaired by conflict.…”

The workload of a psychiatric clinic at a general hospital in a post conflict area: a model from Iraq

“…These trainers live under the pressures of severe professional demands and risks to their lives. These profound stressors impact their ability to provide a high standard of training (Al-Obaidi et al, 2013). This clinic is run by four male consultant psychiatrists and one female psychiatrist.…”

“…Shortages of resources, including mental health professionals, training, and funding as well as governmental and community inattention contribute to the limited mental health services in Iraq (Welch and Abed, 2009). The recent history of targeting doctors and scholars in Iraq after the 2003 US-led war and invasion of the country (Gustafsson, 2006) produced an insecure environment that had a negative impact on the availability and implementation of health services and medical education (Al-Obaidi et al, 2013).…”

Psychosocial research with children in Iraq: current health practice and policy in a context of armed conflict

“…Also re quired is the development of curricula for training frontline paediatricians in children's psychosocial issues, and supporting inclusive education for children with physical and mental disabilities (Al Obaidi et al, 2009, 2010b, 2013AlObaidi & Budosan, 2011).…”