International Journal of
Nursing and Midwifery

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Nurs. Midwifery
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2456
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJNM
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 213

Full Length Research Paper

Task analysis: An evidence-based methodology for strengthening education and training of nurses and midwives in Liberia

Annamma Udaya
  • Annamma Udaya
  • Global Learning Office, Jhpiego, USA.
  • Google Scholar
Marion Subah
  • Marion Subah
  • Global Learning Office, Jhpiego, USA.
  • Google Scholar
Mary Drake
  • Mary Drake
  • Global Learning Office, Jhpiego, USA.
  • Google Scholar
Crystal Ng
  • Crystal Ng
  • Global Learning Office, Jhpiego, USA.
  • Google Scholar
Peter Johnson
  • Peter Johnson
  • Global Learning Office, Jhpiego, USA.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Accepted: 22 June 2011
  •  Published: 30 September 2011

Abstract

 

Liberia suffers from high maternal, infant and child mortality. In response, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare prioritized a basic package of health services in 2007. Ensuring health workers are competent to deliver these services is crucial for safe and effective health care. A task analysis survey of health workers was conducted to determine how often recently graduated health workers perform tasks from the basic package of health services, and whether training was received for these tasks either in school or on the job. The findings informed updates to the curricula, core competencies and job descriptions of these cadres to help ensure a competency-based education linked to readiness for an entry-level position. Sample findings in key tasks, such as antenatal care and integrated management of childhood illnesses, highlight the need for examining where these competencies are included in the educational preparation of nurses and midwives. This paper will focus on nurse and midwife cadres and describe the: 1) Implementation of the study in Liberia, 2) Key findings and analysis of select clinical tasks, and 3) Recommendations for improving and integrating educational programs.

 

Key words: Competency-based education, core competencies, curricula, task analysis, nursing education, midwifery education