THE CARING, RESPECTFUL AND COMPASSIONATE HEALTH WORKFORCE (CRC) Dr. Wondwossen Eshetu; MD, MSc, DTM & H Program Adviser-Medical Education team; HRD Directions of-FMoH

Outlines  What is CRC  Why is CRC transformation agenda?  Principles in CRC  How do we implement CRC agenda?

CRC is National movement, launched by the Minsters!

What is CRC ?  Caring, Respectful and Compassionate health professional having the following four essential characteristics 1. Consider patients as human beings with complex psychological, social and economic needs and provide person centered care with empathy 2. Effective communication with health care teams and interactions with patients and other health professionals over time, and across settings

3. Respect for and facilitation of patients’ and families’ participation in decision and care; and 4. Take pride in the health profession they are in and get satisfied by serving the people and the country

Consider patients as human beings with complex psychological, social and economic needs and provide person centered care with empathy Understanding patients concern Feelings patients emotions Addressing patients innate needs

Effective communication with health care teams and interactions with patients and other health professionals over time, and across settings

A health care provider communication skills encompass: The ability to gather information in order to facilitate accurate diagnosis, Counsel appropriately, Give therapeutic instructions, and Establish caring relationships with patients.

 In Ethiopia, evidences indicate communication between healthcare providers and patients is a cause for concern.  A study conducted at a teaching hospital in Addis Ababa, demonstrated deficient communication skills among physicians at all levels (Zewdneh).  A study in rural outpatient health centers in West Shoa indicated that perceived empathy, non-verbal communication and patient enablement significantly influence patient satisfaction (Birhanu).

 What possible solutions do you recommend?

Respect for and facilitation of patients’ and families’ participation in decision and care Dignity and Respect  Health care practitioners listen to and honor patient and family perspectives and choices. Patient and family knowledge, values, beliefs and cultural backgrounds are incorporated into the planning and delivery of care Information Sharing Health care practitioners communicate and share complete and unbiased information with patients and families in ways that are affirming and useful. Patients and families receive timely, complete, and accurate information in order to effectively participate in care and decision-making.

Participation  Patients and families are encouraged and supported in participating in care and decision- making at the level they choose. Collaboration  Patients, families, health care practitioners, and hospital leaders collaborate in policy and program development, implementation, and evaluation; in health care facility design; and in professional education, as well as in the delivery of care.

 Take pride in the health profession they are in and get satisfied by serving the people and the country It requires in some ways a culture change and change in attitude, manner, and approach of health care delivery

Do you agree? Compassion should be the foundation of health care!

Why is CRC transformation agenda?  Crucial and foundation of health care system that provides caring, safe and high quality And equity care and is described as holistic, non-judgmental, empathetic, respectful and empowering.  To create movement and champions that serve as role models to transform the health care

How do we implement CRC agenda?

Everyone deserves to be treated with respect  Reforming the recruitment of students  Improving the curriculums of various disciplines  Effective management of health professionals that are already practicing  Ownership and engagement of leadership at d/t level of the system  Model professionals(as ambassadors)

 Advocacy campaign through mass media  Annual health professionals regulation  Putting in place a favorable legislative framework to reinforce CRC which include regulation on patients’ rights and responsibilities(PRR)

FOCUS on EQUITY!!!

We need CRC Champions….  CRC has to be culture, self-driven inner motive and legacy that generations leave to their successors and predecessors proudly inherit

 Thank you so much! April 2016 E.C