Capacity building for Pacific Island countries: the challenges and benefits of developing a postgraduate clinical training programme

Abstract

Objectives:To describe the development of a postgraduate clinical training programme in mental health for the Pacific region by the Fiji National University (FNU), the challenges and benefits. Conclusions: The establishment of FNU's one-year full-time postgraduate diploma in mental health (PGDMH) has resulted in graduates across the Pacific in all three main regions of Oceania trained as frontline practitioners in mental health. Most of the graduates hold key mental health positions in their respective countries. The PGDMH provides culturally relevant and sensitive training in settings and with resources similar to the graduates' homelands. Challenges relate mainly to the sustainability of the programme, selection of candidates, addressing the needs of stakeholders and teaching in an evolving, under-resourced mental health service. The ongoing challenge continues to be the maintenance of a symbiotic co-existence that results in mutual benefits for both the University and stakeholders without jeopardizing the integrity of the programme or the independence of the University.

The Vanuatu Psychiatry Mentorship Programme: supporting the development of a fledgling mental health service in the Pacific

“…5 In addition, mental health training programmes for doctors in the Pacific are not well resourced and doctors returning to their island nations after graduating often practice in isolation and are thrust into leadership positions that they may be ill-prepared for. 6 This was the context from which JO's request for mentorship arose. Alongside these considerations, there are potential reciprocal benefits for western-trained psychiatrists in learning about Pacific Indigenous relational and spiritual concepts of self and their importance in holistic mental health approaches.…”

Building capacity for child and adolescent mental health and psychiatry in Papua New Guinea

“…10 Key issues in the development of future training need to include (some) local development, ensuring cultural relevance and sensitivity, and for training to be delivered in settings with resources similar to the graduates' place of practice. 11 This is further discussed in the article on evaluation of the pilot educational initiative in a separate publication in this series. 12 Problem-based learning may assist with this, and problem-based teaching resources were collaboratively developed for small group discussion.…”

CAMH in Primary Care Fiji: developing child and adolescent mental health in primary care

“…A one-year post graduate diploma of mental health is provided by FNU since 2011. 2 Divisional hospitals with Stress Management Wards support subdivisional hospitals in smaller towns. Within communities there are medical clinics (staffed by a public health doctor and one or two nurses), nursing stations (single nurse-run) and community health support workers within small communities.…”