Training of Trainers on Leprosy Control, China-NLR Project took place in Anhui Province

On November 16-22 and 22-28, 2009, two Courses of Training of Trainers on Leprosy control, China-NLR Project took place in Anhui Provincial Yellow Mountain Cadre Sanatorium, Anhui Province organized by the National Center for Leprosy Control, China CDC (NCLC) and financially and technically supported by the Netherlands Leprosy Relief (NLR). A total number of 27 key trainers at provincial level from 13 provinces i.e. Anhui, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hainan, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Jiangxi, Shandong, Hunan, Hubei, Chongqing, Guizhou and staff of NCLC were invited to participate the training courses.

The objectives of the training courses were: after the training, the participates will be able to 1) prepare participatory training programmes; 2) select suitable training methods, and 3) carry out active training sessions. Using the participatory training methods, the training courses were facilitated by Mr. Jos Brand, invited experts of NLR. The main contents of the courses included: 1) Principles of adult learning 2) Training preparation (performance analysis, needs assessment, objective setting and content selection); 3) Training programming (training methods, training tools, session plan development); 4) Implementation of training sessions by participants (a.o. with video feedback); and 5) Training evaluation and follow-up.

In the training courses, follow the main contents, integrated with personal working experience, the participates practises how to improve the efficiency of training of leprosy. Through discussions and practices, the participantes realized the importance of training need assessment, participatory training method in leprosy training for future. The participantes also noticed that training was not for training itself and training was not the master key for all unsatisfied job performance.

In order to improve the training efficiency, Mr. Jos Brand, the invited experts, showed his interesting on: 1) To encourage all participantes to move their used training methods to participatory training methods step by step under well processed training need assessment. 2) To invite staff from National Center for Leprosy Control, China CDC to participate provincial training course as observers or facilitators but not training teachers who did training themselves. 3) With experiences of participatory training methods, other training of trainers could be organized in further for leprosy managers at prefecture and county levels in order to improve the training efficiency. 4) As technical support center, NCLC should firstly provide training based on adult learning principals and move their used training methods to participatory training methods step by step under well processed training need assessment. 5) In order to improve job performance of staffs, training was not always the best solution but more needs on strengthening management, i.e. Timely and regularly supervision and coaching, better planning and job organization and developing and implementing proper rewards and punishment. Changing current training method is the most importance key to improve the training efficiency in future.

Prof. Zhang Guocheng, Deputy Director General of Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & the NCLC, Dr. Li Yanqing, Director General of Anhui Provincial Institute of Dermatology presented in the opening ceremony and made speeches.