Training community nurses on supporting families with children who have developmental difficulties: lessons from the former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-04-2014-0008 |
| Pages | 370-380 |
| Published date | 28 October 2014 |
| Date | 28 October 2014 |
| Author | Roy McConkey,Sue Macdonald,Marlene Sinclair,Igor Veljkovik |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Learning & intellectual disabilities,Accounting education |
Training community nurses on supporting
families with children who have
developmental difficulties: lessons from the
former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia
Roy McConkey, Sue Macdonald, Marlene Sinclair and Igor Veljkovik
Roy McConkey is an Emeritus
Professor, of Developmental
Disabilities, University of Ulster,
Newtownabbey, UK; a Visiting
Professor, University of Cape
Town,Cape Town, South Africa;
a Visiting Professor,Univ ersityo f
Sydney, Sydney,Australia and a
Visiting Professor, Trinity
College, University of Dublin,
Dublin, Ireland.
Sue Macdonald is a Consultant,
based at University of Ulster,
Newtownabbey, UK (formerly
Royal Collegeof Midwives,
London, UK).
Marlene Sinclair is a Professor,
of Midwifery Research,
Universityof Ulster,
Newtownabbey, UK.
Dr Igor Veljkovik is a Health
Officer, based at UNICEF,
Skopje, Macedonia.
Abstract
Purpose – In the former Yugoslavian republics, community nursing services are not well developed to
support families with infants who have developmental problems. The purpose of this paper is to design an
in-service training package for nurses on supporting families of children with developmental disabilities.
Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual framework evolved to guide the design and content of
the training package which was further consulted on with local partners. A cascade model of training was
adopted, based largely on experiential learning. A nine-session training package (around 20 hours in all)
was devised and a Training for Trainersworkshop held to prepare them to use the package in their locality.
The in-service training of nurses is ongoing during 2014-2015.
Findings – Key findings are presented in relation to perceived training needs; the key features of
the Training Framework; the content and teaching methods used and the outcomes of the Training for
Trainers workshop. Ongoing evaluations will assess the impact of the training on community nurses and
on families.
Originality/value – This study provides a conceptual model for the provision of effective in-service training
on developmental disabilities for community personnel throughout the region and internationally.
Keywords Developmental disabilities, In-service training, Antenatal care, Community nurses,
Parent education, Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia
Paper type Conceptual paper
Introduction
International estimates suggest that over 20 per cent of children in low and middle income
countries (LMIC) are likely to have developmental problems (UNICEF, 2008). Most will
experience mild difficulties but even so their educational progress is liable to be affected.
A smaller proportion – between 2 and 5 per cent – will have marked difficulties that will require
life-long assistance.
Longitudinal research suggests that the influence of families on a child’s development
outweighs that of formal systems such as schooling (Shonkoff and Phillips, 2000). Moreover
parents can be effective teachers and therapists of children with disabilities when they are
provided with relevant information and guidance (Roberts and Kaiser, 2011). Home-based
support from the child’s birth onwards has proved most effective in promoting the child’s
development as well as helping mothers in particular to adjust to the emotional demands many
experience (Kendrick et al., 2000; Nievar et al., 2010).
This project was funded by UNICEF
Macedonia. The authors’ grateful
thanks to all the participants in
Macedonia for their insights and to
Velka Lukic from the Macedonia
Association of Nurses and Midwifes
for her guidance. The authors’
partners in Studiorum, Skopje gave
invaluable assistance with
translation and interpretation;
especially Neda Milevska and
Kornelija Cipuseva.
PAGE 370
j
ADVANCES IN MENTAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
j
VOL. 8 NO. 6 2014, pp. 370-380, CEmeraldGroup Publishing Limited, ISSN 2044-1282 DOI 10.1108/AMHID-04-2014-0008
To continue reading
Request your trial