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Table 4 Classification of partnerships to predict sustainability in situations of high healthcare worker mobility

From: Towards a simple typology of international health partnerships

12 partnerships focused on individual capacity building and generic skills

15 partnerships focused on individual capacity building and specialist skills

For example, a partnership between professional associations. Main activities were delivery of training courses in management of surgical emergencies, basic surgical skills, theatre nurse training and training the trainers. Intended outputs were 230 healthcare workers trained in emergency surgery, 120–200 theatre nurses trained in theatre and recovery techniques, approximately 50 surgeons trained to become trainers. Equipment for the courses left in place for future training (an element of infrastructure, but not the main focus of the intervention).

For example, a partnership between a health education institution and a health education and delivery institution in a national hospital. Main activities were delivery and evaluation of hands-on endoscopic therapy training course; six-monthly mentoring visits to consolidate training; training gastroscopy trainers programme. Intended outputs included courses delivered on management of acute upper gastrointestinal bleed and training of trainers.

12 partnerships focused on organisational capacity building and generic skills

15 partnerships focused on organisational capacity building and specialist skills.

A partnership between a professional association and a university hospital delivered courses in surgical safety; provision of equipment and educational materials; involvement of LMIC in quality improvement initiatives to develop leadership and clinical governance skills. Intended outputs were consistent use of WHO checklist; improved team-working and communication in operating theatres; improved strategies for patient assessment and management of perioperative critical illness; improved leadership and crisis response management in the theatre environment.

Partnership between a government teaching hospital in LMIC and a group of 15–20 health professionals from a strategic health authority area in the UK with the aim of improving multidisciplinary managements of stroke patients. Main activities were development, embedding and dissemination of core clinical skills identified as crucial for care of stroke patients in: swallow and nutrition, positioning and handling, communication and continence management. Methods used were educational sessions, mentoring and observational visits to the UK. Intended outputs were trained health professionals in the core stroke skill areas, families of patients attending group family education session and manual handling equipment in place.