Quality Health Care for Children [6]

7 July, 2021

Dear All

So many of the challenges in learning, understanding and leadership that Ruth Davidge emphasises in hospitals that are not supported by formal training and audit can be remedied by establishing learning communities of nurses (and doctors) who can take responsibility and manage their own professional growth and continuing education. This widely used and evaluated method of self-help tuition can be accessed through local study clubs using the freely available course books on the open-access Bettercare website (https://bettercare.co.za/learn). There is no reason why most maternal and newborn services should not have the benefit of good training.

Best wishes, Prof Dave Woods

CHIFA Profile: Dave Woods is Emeritus Professor in Neonatal Medicine at the School of Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa. He is Chairman of the Perinatal Education Trust and Eduhealthcare, both not-for-profit non-government organisations that develop appropriate self-help distance learning material for doctors and nurses who care for pregnant women and their children in under-resourced communities. He has 30 years experience as a clinical neonatologist, with particular interests in perinatal care and training of health professionals. He is currently developing paper-based continuing learning material in maternal care, newborn care, child health, and care of adults and children with HIV/AIDS. He is also participating in the design and development of wind-up appropriate health technology for poor countries. www.pepcourse.co.za pepcourse AT mweb.co.za