Preparedness for Practice of Health Professionals in Papua New Guinea: a Cross-sectional Survey of Nurses and Community Health Workers

Mary Kililo; Julie Dopsie; Sulpain Passingan; Julie Kep; Nina Joseph; Russel Kitau; Mary Roroi; Chris Rossiter; Jenny Sim; Di Brown; Caroline Havery; Ali Moloney; Michele Rumsey

doi:10.56031/2576-215X.1063

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Preparedness for Practice of Health Professionals in Papua New Guinea: a Cross-sectional Survey of Nurses and Community Health Workers

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Preparedness for Practice of Health Professionals in Papua New Guinea: a Cross-sectional Survey of Nurses and Community Health Workers

Mary Kililo, Julie Dopsie, Sulpain Passingan, Julie Kep, Nina Joseph, Russel Kitau, Mary Roroi, Chris Rossiter, Jenny Sim, Di Brown, …

Pacific Journal of Health, Vol.7(1), pp.1-20

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56031/2576-215X.1063

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Abstract

Nursing

community health workers

curriculum

nurses

nursing education

Papua New Guinea

survey

Introduction Papua New Guinea (PNG) experiences widespread health inequity and shortage of health professionals, exacerbated by poverty, isolation, gender-based violence and limited infrastructure, transport and accessible services. Nurses and community health workers (CHW) represent 72% of health workforce. However, health professional education programs are outdated and not aligned with national health priorities. We aimed to explore the adequacy of current curricula for nurses and CHWs by examining graduate competencies and preparedness for practice. Methods Cross-sectional study with four cohorts: 1) 130 new nurse graduates, 2) 75 nurses who supervised them, 3) 105 new CHW graduates and 4) 65 CHW supervisors. We surveyed perceptions of recent graduates’ clinical competence and compared graduates’ and supervisors’ ratings using chi-squared analysis. Results Graduates and supervisors differed significantly in perceptions of graduate competency, for both nurses and CHWs. Despite asserting their competence, graduates identified skills gaps and needs for additional learning support after graduation, including national priority areas (pregnancy, maternal-child health, infection control, emergency health management). Conclusion This study among health professionals in PNG, a country with very limited data on human resources for health, found gaps in graduate preparedness for practice, offering insights into skill deficits that should be addressed in upcoming curriculum review.

Details

Title: Preparedness for Practice of Health Professionals in Papua New Guinea: a Cross-sectional Survey of Nurses and Community Health Workers
Authors: Mary Kililo (Author) - National Department of Health
Julie Dopsie (Author) - National Department of Health
Sulpain Passingan (Author) - National Department of Health
Julie Kep (Author) - National Department of Health
Nina Joseph (Author) - National Department of Health
Russel Kitau (Author) - National Department of Health
Mary Roroi (Author) - National Department of Health
Chris Rossiter (Author) - University of Technology Sydney
Jenny Sim (Author) - University of Technology Sydney
Di Brown (Author) - University of Technology Sydney
Caroline Havery (Author) - University of Technology Sydney
Ali Moloney (Author) - University of Technology Sydney
Michele Rumsey (Author) - University of Technology Sydney
Publication details: Pacific Journal of Health, Vol.7(1), pp.1-20
Publisher: University of the Pacific Libraries
Date published: 2024
DOI: 10.56031/2576-215X.1063
ISSN: 2576-215X
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Nursing
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991088096702621
Output Type: Journal article

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