Trainees' Perspectives On An in ternational Training Program in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine in Shanghai

Abstract

Background: Although globalization of health care and medical education has led to increasing numbers of international training programs, there are few reports of the impact of these programs on trainees. The International Training Program in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine in Shanghai is a joint venture of the Canadian Neonatal NetworkTM and the Children's Hospital of Fudan University (CHFU) in Shanghai. It is endorsed by the Canadian Paediatric Society. Launched in 2004, the program aims to establish a national neonatal training program to train a new generation of Chinese neonatologists, establish national standards for training neonatologists in China and upgrade standards of care and training at CHFU. To date, 49 trainees from hospitals across China have enrolled in this 2-year ongoing program; 19 trainees have completed their 1st year of training in Shanghai, a 2nd year of training in Canada and have returned to their hospitals in China. Objective: To obtain in-depth information on the training program to determine its impact on trainees, in particular whether it has led to changes in their clinical practices and in the NICUs where they work. Design/Methods: In 2009, a focus group interview was conducted in Chinese at CHFU with 17 trainees who completed training in Shanghai and Canada. In addition to discussing their satisfaction with the program, trainees were asked about the program's impact on their medical skills, knowledge, behaviour, leadership role and ability to effect change. The 3-hour interview was videotaped, translated and transcribed. Using Krueger & Casey's (2000) framework of data analysis for focus group interviews, central themes and issues have emerged and been interpreted. Results: Among trainees, there was overall satisfaction with the program personally and professionally, although separation from family and adjustment to Canada were challenges. Excellent clinical training, exposure to inter-professional and family-centred NICU care and opportunities for teaching were some of the benefits. Changes made at CHFU were perceived as examples of the positive long-term impact of the program. Continuing programs like this are seen by trainees as the key to promoting change at local hospitals. Conclusions: Although challenging for trainees, the program is viewed very positively with many benefits for participants' career development. Further, the program seems to have become part of the changing force in neonatology in China.