Soboka Matiwos, Adorjan Kristina, Dehning Sandra, Asaminew Tsedeke, Abera Mubarek, Siebeck Matthias, Tesfaye Markos, Jobst Andrea
Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
Center for International Health, LMU, Munich, Germany.
Ger Med Sci. 2018 Dec 18;16:Doc04. doi: 10.3205/000266. eCollection 2018.
The shortage of trained manpower in the field of mental health remains a significant obstacle to the treatment of people with mental illnesses in low and middle-income countries. In 2010, a new program for non-physician clinicians was established at Jimma University to address this shortage in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the competency, satisfaction, and involvement level of graduates of the program. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the graduates of the program. Data were collected with a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire that was developed for the study. Responses were recorded on a Likert scale to assess graduates' competency and satisfaction level. The quantitative data were summarized by descriptive statistics, including means, standard deviations, and frequencies. Qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Until June 2015, 32 trainees had graduated from the MSc ICCMH program; 87.5% (n=28) of these graduates participated in the study. Almost all (96.4%, n=27) graduates were working in public institutions. The majority (75%, n=21) were directly engaged in the clinical care of patients. Also, two-thirds of the graduates (67.9%, n=19) were involved in mental health research. All of the graduates felt confident in conducting psychiatric assessments of adults and identifying and managing common mental disorders (100%, n=28). Similarly, 100% (n=28) of the graduates reported that they felt confident in identifying and managing severe mental illnesses. The outcome of the program is a considerable workforce of skilled mental health professionals. The majority of graduates were retained within the public mental health service. Brain drain does not appear to be a challenge among non-physician mental health specialists. The findings on the self-perceived competencies mirror the amount of clinical exposure during the training. With a minimal revision of the curriculum, the level of satisfaction and competencies can be enhanced.
在低收入和中等收入国家，心理健康领域专业人才短缺仍是治疗精神疾病患者的重大障碍。2010年，吉姆马大学设立了一项针对非医师临床医生的新项目，以解决埃塞俄比亚的这一短缺问题。本研究旨在评估该项目毕业生的能力、满意度和参与程度。对该项目的毕业生进行了一项横断面研究。通过为该研究开发的半结构化、自填式问卷收集数据。回答记录在李克特量表上，以评估毕业生的能力和满意度水平。定量数据通过描述性统计进行汇总，包括均值、标准差和频率。定性数据进行转录并进行主题分析。截至2015年6月，32名学员已从临床与社区心理健康硕士项目毕业；其中87.5%（n = 28）的毕业生参与了研究。几乎所有毕业生（96.4%，n = 27）都在公共机构工作。大多数（75%，n = 21）直接从事患者的临床护理工作。此外，三分之二的毕业生（67.9%，n = 19）参与了心理健康研究。所有毕业生都对进行成人精神病评估以及识别和管理常见精神障碍充满信心（100%，n = 28）。同样，100%（n = 28）的毕业生表示，他们对识别和管理严重精神疾病充满信心。该项目的成果是造就了一支相当规模的熟练心理健康专业人员队伍。大多数毕业生留在了公共心理健康服务机构。人才流失似乎并不是非医师心理健康专家面临的挑战。自我认知能力的调查结果反映了培训期间的临床接触量。只需对课程进行最小程度的修订，就能提高满意度和能力水平。
