On-the-job training through follow-up visits to improve the quality of family planning services.

As part of a broader set of activities to strengthen family planning training and improve the quality of family planning services in Turkey, follow-up visits were performed at different family planning sites across the country in order to conduct on-the-job training. The objective of on-the-job training was to refresh and improve family planning counselling skills for all methods as well as to refresh and improve intrauterine device insertion/removal skills and also some determinants of quality care. It was also aimed at transferring up-to-date information to family planning practitioners, identifying frequently encountered problems and helping with solution approaches for problems both at the individual and programmatic levels. The results of the follow-up visits reflect issues about both the staff and the clinical facility itself in terms of conforming with the standards of the 'National Family Planning Guidelines' set forth by the Ministry of Health. The follow-up team consisted of nine members who were specially trained. They represented different sectors such as a non-governmental organization, a medical school and the Ministry of Health. The follow-up team performed 90 visits to 16 clinics in 11 provinces between 1995 and 1998. Methods used were structured observations via standard checklists, meetings with the clinic staff, self-assessment, role plays, demonstration, coaching and the provision of feedback. During this period, a total of 130 health professionals working in 16 clinics were trained on-the-job. A significant improvement was observed in the performance of the family planning practitioners and the quality of care provided in clinics. While none of the service providers were found to have a standard skill level in general counselling during the first visit, at the end of the fifth visit all were capable of providing counselling services according to the national standards. Intrauterine device insertion skills were high at the beginning of the visits, and 16 of the 17 observed service providers (94%) were assessed as conforming to the standards. At the fifth visit, all of the 42 service providers (100%) were found to be adequate. At the facility level, all 16 clinics established separate counselling rooms in the follow-up period. Additionally, the number of clinics conforming to infection prevention standards increased from two clinics in 15 at the first visit to all 16 clinics at the fifth visit. This study showed that the ultimate success of family planning programs depend on structured and well-supervised on-the-job training through follow-up visits to the sites.