ID-5184 Wonca Abstracts supplement A-K 13-10-23 - Flipbook - Page 272
WONCA 2023 Supplement 1: WONCA 2023 abstracts (A–K)
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Evaluation of a family medicine program for doctors
in Tonga
Dr Allison Hempenstall1, Kate Reid1, A/Prof Lachlan McIver2
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The University of Melbourne, 2James Cook University
Background
Primary healthcare in Pacific Island countries (PICs) has been chronically underfunded and underresourced. A commitment to universal healthcare delivery must be achieved through strengthening
primary healthcare in these island nations. This includes health systems strengthening and local
healthcare staff capacity building. Prior to 2019, there were few options for primary care training for
Pacific Islander doctors.
In 2019, Fiji National University (FNU) commenced a new Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine
program. Rocketship is an international not-for-profit health organisation dedicated to improving
health in PICs through enhancing primary healthcare delivery. In collaboration with the Tonga Ministry
of Health, Rocketship began a mentoring and support program to assist trainees of FNU’s family
medicine program who are completing their studies within Tonga. The aim of this research project is to
determine trainees’ experience and early impacts of the mentoring and education support provided to
Tongan FMP participants by Rocketship.
Methods
This qualitative research project will employ a phenomenological approach through semistructured
interviews and questionnaires to illuminate the doctors’ perspectives on their experience of
participating in the Rocketship mentoring program as part of the FMP. All FMP graduates from Tonga
will be invited to participate. It is anticipated that results from this project will be used to expand the
family medicine program to other PICs. Ethics approval has been granted by the Tonga National Health
Ethics and Research Committee (Ref. 20221121) and The University of Melbourne Office of Research
Ethics and Integrity (Ref. 2022-24970-35161-3).
Results
Data collection and analysis will occur throughout early 2023 and results will be presented at the World
Organisation of Family Doctors 2023 conference.
Discussion
The importance of this research project is twofold. First, results will provide direct feedback to the
Rocketship mentoring program developers and educators in improving and refining the program.
Second, results will guide program expansion to train doctors in other PICs, ultimately improving health
workforce competencies through professional development and strengthening primary healthcare.
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