The purpose of the training program was to efficiently assist rehabilitation professionals in gaining the knowledge and skills to provide care to patients with burns, wounds, and complex injuries. Even more importantly, the goal was to strengthen of mentoring knowledge to guide and train rehabilitation providers within the country in clinical practice.
The training topics were selected based on learning priorities identified by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, including complex orthopedic trauma, burns, and wound healing. Participants and future mentors were selected from ten hospital and rehabilitation centers from the eight regions of the country. Eight of the ten participants selected were the heads of their respective departments or rehabilitation centers. The training program structure in Ukraine was uniquely focused on mentoring, beginning with an initial introductory meeting featuring a detailed overview of the roles and expectations of the mentors /mentees throughout the training program. The participants completed and reviewed a mentorship worksheet at three intervals during the training. Throughout the program, four mentoring sessions were held for each of the three training topics (twelve sessions in total). Each mentoring session was led by a highly qualified international mentor and featured a simultaneous Ukrainian interpreter allowing participants to ask questions in their native language and fully explore the topic. A post-program survey and focus group interview were conducted to explore the outcomes of the program.
Following completion of the program, participants felt competent in the ability to mentor other rehabilitation professionals in the interprofessional care of traumatic fractures with complications such as vascular injury, infection, compartment syndrome, thrombembolic events, and peripheral nerve injury as well as severe burns and wounds. Furthermore, three themes were discovered through focus group interviews: 1) the integration of evidence-based practice, 2) the importance of collaboration among the healthcare team for optimal patient outcomes, and 3) mentoring professionals to improve patient care.
While data collection was limited due to the complexities of conducting studies in conflict zones and a sincere attempt not to introduce a burden to participants, results suggest the program was successful in establishing mentors throughout the country to provide training for essential care for burns, wounds, and complex injuries
To address the need for rehabilitation for conflict-related injuries, a training program was developed aimed at equipping rehabilitation professionals in Ukraine with the requisite knowledge to address burns, wounds, and complex injuries effectively. The training was designed to develop mentors throughout the country to train others, empowering healthcare providers to deliver high-quality care to those in need.
Complex Injuries
Ukraine
