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

Authors

Mary Kililo, National Department of Health, PNGFollow
Julie Dopsie, National Department of Health, PNGFollow
Sulpain Passingan, National Department of Health, PNGFollow
Julie Kep, National Department of Health, PNGFollow
Nina Joseph, National Department of Health, PNGFollow
Russel Kitau, National Department of Health, PNGFollow
Mary Roroi, National Department of Health, PNGFollow
Chris Rossiter, WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development, University of Technology SydneyFollow
Jenny Sim, WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development, University of Technology SydneyFollow
Di Brown, WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development, University of Technology SydneyFollow
Caroline Havery, WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development, University of Technology SydneyFollow
Ali Moloney, WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development, University of Technology SydneyFollow
Michele Rumsey, WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development, University of Technology SydneyFollow

Abstract

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 However, health professional education programs are outdated and not aligned with national health priorities.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.

Recommended Citation

Kililo, Mary; Dopsie, Julie; Passingan, Sulpain; Kep, Julie; Joseph, Nina; Kitau, Russel; Roroi, Mary; Rossiter, Chris; Sim, Jenny; Brown, Di; Havery, Caroline; Moloney, Ali; and Rumsey, Michele (2024) "Preparedness for Practice of Health Professionals in Papua New Guinea: a Cross-sectional Survey of Nurses and Community Health Workers.," Pacific Journal of Health: Vol. 7: Iss. 1, Article 23.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56031/2576-215X.1063
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/pjh/vol7/iss1/23