Training

This module contains: training curriculums, manuals and related materials that can be used to plan or adapt training sessions and programs to develop the competencies of health providers, community staff and support staff to provide high quality reproductive health services. There are three subsections in this module that include training tools: (1) general resources; (2) intercultural resources; (3) family planning counseling resources. The last subsection is divided into resources for health service providers and community personnel.

Effective contraceptive counseling depends on good interpersonal skills and intercultural communication, maintaining confidentiality and privacy, adapting the interaction to the needs of the user and providing sufficient information for the user to make a voluntary and informed decision. Evidence shows that when users believe that a provider respects them and is concerned about their well-being, they are more likely to be satisfied with the care they receive and are more likely to continue using family planning. The guides and guidance materials have been adapted for the cultural context of various indigenous groups in Panama.

Training for health service providers includes resources on culturally relevant contraceptive counseling, as well as several presentations detailing how to provide certain methods of family planning. These resources can be used in a workshop or individually. The second section of the module also provides several training manuals on family planning counseling that are specific to community health personnel.