Regional Training Resource Gap Analysis and Mapping Project

1. B C Iezzi
2. P M O'Connor
3. K Fotis
4. J E Keeffe

Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital

Purpose: To identify "gaps" in existing training opportunities for ophthalmic and eye care personnel in the south-east Asia and Pacific region so that the development of new training courses can be appropriately prioritised.

Methods: A mapping exercise was undertaken. Through a combination of consultations with Vision 2020 Australia Global Consortium members and approaches to in-country staff at various eye care centres, a template was developed to gather information on existing formal and informal eye care training courses including curriculum details, course pre-requisites, registration requirements, scholarship and internship and fellowship opportunities, fees, training equipment and details on the learning environments and language. The expertise of Consortium members will be used in a peer review process to assess the completeness of data collected and establish training priorities in the region.

Results: To date, course information has been provided by 57 training institutes in 12 countries with data expected on at least 7 other countries. Details have been compiled on over 200 courses made up of over 30 postgraduate courses, a number of bachelor and diploma level courses and various up-skilling, short and training of trainer courses. Courses for all cadres of workers from spectacle technicians to surgeons have been included.

Conclusion: The online database generated from this mapping exercise will prove a useful tool for all potential students, health care professionals working in training and international donors, providing them with a resource that is searchable by cadre of worker, course and country.