Table 1 Mapping the components of the IPC education and training in countries of WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region who accepted to participate in the current study
Component | Total (n = 14a) |
|---|---|
IPC education and training curricula | |
Undergraduate curricula of health sciences majors include defined and elaborate IPC education b | 3 (21.4%) |
Postgraduate degrees in IPC are available | 6 (42.9%) |
Training programs are homogenous across the country | 8 (57.1%) |
Training programs when available are based on National IPC Guidelines put with the support of WHO rather than with academic institutions based on academic curricula | 9 (64.3%) |
IPC training programs | |
National training programs are available for IPC physicians and other professionals | 10 (71.4%) |
National general healthcare worker and link nurses training programs | 5 (35.7%) |
Healthcare facility-level healthcare worker (physicians, nurses, others) and link nurses training programs are delivered | 13 (92.9%) |
Physician IPC professional profile and training | |
IPC physicians should be specialized in Infectious Diseases or Medical Microbiology or Community Medicine | 8 (57.1%) |
Physicians (from any specialty) can become IPC professionals if they receive training upon enrollment prior to practicing | 6 (42.9%) |
Shortage of Infectious Diseases specialists or Medical Microbiologists | 8 (57.1%) |
Non-Physician (Nursing) IPC professional profile and training | |
Only IPC professionals (nurses) with IPC subspecialty are employed | 8 (57.1%) |
IPC professionals receive education and training prior to recruitment and/or periodically | 10 (71.4%) |
Format of IPC training opportunities | |
Based on national IPC guidelines | 9 (64.3%) |
Non-Governmental Organization training courses | 11 (78.6%) |
Training provided by Scientific Societies | 4 (28.6%) |
Online training modules | 10 (71.4%) |