In an in-person clinical skills training event held by ReLAB-HS in Burma Physiotherapists from Yangon had the opportunity to upgrade their knowledge and skills in managing stroke patients.
The ReLAB-HS clinical skills training programme for rehabilitation professionals in Burma has been created to address the challenges of limited opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD) combined with the increased rehabilitation needs due to political instabilities. This two day training session was part of a seven month hybrid training programme that has been specifically designed around the needs of rehabilitation professionals in Burma. Following a series of online courses and live webinars the nine participating physiotherapists from Yangon gathered to refine their technical and hands-on skills for managing stroke patients.
Prior to the in-person training the participants had completed the Physiopedia Plus (Plus) online Stroke Programme, attended live webinars with international mentor Stacy Schiurring (Physiotherapist) and took part in discussions in a specifically created private group on the Rehabilitation Community. To complete the hybrid training, the practical skills sessions were conducted with the guidance of local facilitator and Physiopedia educational representative Hsu Wai Mon Oo, international mentor Stacy Schiurring, and workforce development specialist Martina Lukin.
The training focussed on the importance of goal setting, evidence-based outcome measures and treatment plans, as well as practising hands-on skills. This was the first in-person training conducted in Burma as part of the ReLAB-HS clinical skills training programme and participants noted the value in being able to meet to discuss and practice the treatment techniques covered in the online courses. The opportunity to share knowledge and experience and discuss different management approaches, both with an international mentor and amongst participants, was a valuable outcome of this training, particularly as such opportunities for peer support are rare in Burma.
The ReLAB-HS clinical skills training programme is providing opportunities to rehabilitation professionals in Burma to upgrade their knowledge and skills to deliver quality rehabilitation services in the community. This programme will also inform the development of a Clinical Skills Training Tool that will be part of the International Rehabilitation Education and training Toolkit (IRETT) being developed by Physiopedia as part of ReLAB-HS.
This work is supported by the USAID funded Learning Acting Building for Rehabilitation in Health Systems (ReLAB-HS) project and is not possible without the generous and committed contribution of the Leahy War Victims fund.
ReLAB-HS is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is implemented under cooperative agreement number 7200AA20CA00033. The consortium is managed by prime recipient, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.