from VCCA Journal, Volume 9, Number 2, Summer 1995, 50-52
© Copyright 1995 VCCA Journal
In the aftermath of the Velvet Revolution (1989), the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic began a critical examination of how the preparation of healthcare practitioners in a post-communist country could be strengthened. Based largely on the training of high school graduates who are generalist nurses, the current Czech system allows much space for expansion and redefinition of roles. For instance, outside of nursing, the allied health professions common to many American community colleges do not exist in the Czech Republic. Many specialized tasks performed by technically-trained American community college graduates with Health Science Associates Degrees remain the domain of Czech physicians.
Seeking to gain a greater understanding of a wide array of healthcare practitioner training models, administrators in the Czech Ministry of Health arranged for nursing professors Zuzana Dubska and Ludmila Koubkova and a physician, Jarmila Drabkova, to visit Hampton Roads Virginia area programs. They examined the following healthcare-practitioner programs at Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach and Portsmouth, Virginia.
Dr. Larry Whitworth, president of Tidewater Community College, extended formal support for the visit. Janet Azar, associate professor of nursing who had met the two professors in Prague during a 1994 professional development excursion, acted as coordinator, offering the travelers accommodations in her home and scheduling many contacts for them. Christine Medlin, program director for Dietetics, collaborated with area practice site directors and allied health program directors who provided two days of activities and interviews. Dr. Medlin had also been to Prague with Ms. Azar during the preceding year. (See "Spring 1994: A Travel Report on Health Care and Professional Training in the Czech Republic" in the Fall/Winter 1994 edition of the VCCA Journal.)
Mary Ruth Clowdsley, Director of Tidewater Community College's Office of Grants and International Programs, and acting Dean of Instruction at the time of the visit, hosted the guests in her home for a weekend of sightseeing, including a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia. The time set aside for leisurely tourist activities provided a welcome balance to intense workday schedules.
The Staff of the Norfolk Health Department graciously agreed to spend the entire first day explaining maternal and child health programs. Under the direction of Earlene McNair, Program Director of the Women, Infants and Children Special Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC), the Norfolk staff arranged a comprehensive orientation and visits to a clinic and an early childhood center. They also arranged for a supermarket tour at the local Farm Fresh.
Subsequent days were just as full. A network of local nursing school administrators opened their doors for curriculum examination and discussion. Participating nursing programs included those at the following institutions: Tidewater Community College (Portsmouth Campus); DePaul Hospital School of Nursing, Norfolk; Old Dominion University, Norfolk; and Norfolk State University. The Czech representatives could compare and contrast nursing education models available at each institution. With the advantage of very short traveling distances, the group explored a wide diversity of nursing education options.
Aside from nursing interests, the visitors clearly wished to investigate the training and credentialing of Health Science Technology faculty on the Virginia Beach campus. In order to meet this goal, a day-long program featured a campus tour; visits to health sciences labs; the early childhood, computer and learning labs; and a seminar-style potluck luncheon with the staff. The interactive design of this latter activity enabled the guests to investigate faculty credentialing and learn more about specific programs. All who participated in this lively exchange of information and ideas found the experience stimulating and worthwhile.
The ten day visit was a rich one for the Central Europeans. During their stay, they were able to gain mounds of helpful information. In addition, the travelers created a network of valuable contacts available for future consultations.
As this case example illustrates, progress in healthcare practitioner training during the Communist era (1948-1989) did not keep pace with educational developments in America. Thus, educators of healthcare practitioners in American community colleges have much to offer their colleagues from Central Europe. Such collaborations present excellent opportunities for faculty development. Because of contacts with a series of generous professional, faculty, and community personnel, this exchange project will play a role in enhancing healthcare practitioner preparation on the other side of the world.
Tidewater Community College benefitted substantially from this initiative. Among the many advantages to such a project were improved networking opportunities with local institutions of higher education; greater community visibility for leadership on global healthcare issues; and stimulating faculty development experiences.
Arranging the design of an effective program for international visitors requires commitment, collaboration and creativity. This project involved the time, talent and treasure of more than thirty Tidewater Community College faculty, staff, and administrators. All who came into contact with the Czech visitors were gracious, generous, and informative. The impetus to share discipline-specific program information and local contacts with international colleagues from outside the institution provided a marvelous mechanism for good will and for learning about healthcare practices in a different country. Such experiences benefit students as well, who ultimately will listen to lectures integrated with depth and richness stemming from faculty opportunities to engage in international events.
Christine Medlin, Ph.D., RD, is associate professor and dietetics program director at Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach.