PO 8578 THE ROLE OF CLINICAL RESEARCH IN EDUCATING THE HEALTH WORKFORCE IN GUINEA-BISSAU

Abstract

BackgroundThe World Health Organisation estimates a global deficit of approximately 4.3 million health workers, particularly doctors, nurses and midwives. Guinea-Bissau is among the 36 countries that suffer from a critical need for human resources (less than 23 health professionals per 10.000 inhabitants). The present research investigates the impact of clinical trials on health worker’s capacity and training.MethodsThis is a qualitative study. I interviewed health professionals who assisted in clinical trials during the past five years and obtained assistance to attend health-related courses. The interviews collected data about the professional’s technical capacity, clinical practices, work conditions, their qualification for their work and socio-economic variables. Additionally, documents about clinical trials conducted in Guinea-Bissau through North-South cooperation, were analysed.ResultsInterviews were held with 35 health professionals (21 female, 14 male) who participated in clinical trials with the Bandim Health Project (Guinea-Bissau) as research assistants and who received subsidies to realise undergraduate or graduate degrees. Among those interviewed, 28 (80%) received support to realise an undergraduate degree in nursing, 4 (11%) a laboratory course, and 3 (9%) a postgraduate course. Twenty-four (24; 69%) stated that they experienced significant improvements in their working conditions within the institutions where they worked after their clinical trials; 7 (20%) declared that they have progressed in their career after being placed in a health center or a hospital; 29 (83%) stated that the participation in clinical trials significantly strengthened their technical capacity and had a positive impact on their careers.ConclusionI observed a positive impact of the involvement in clinical research on the development of health professionals’ capacity. However, the quantity of clinical research in Guinea-Bissau is insufficient to train all health practitioners in this area.