1. EBCOG/UNFPA Joint Session
Role of professional associations in countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region to implement evidence based care
EBCOG/UNFPA Joint Session
The 25th EBCOG European Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Antalya, Turkey
17 May 2017
Dr. Teymur Seyidov, SRH Programme Specialist UNFPA EECARO

2. Health service providers for quality improvement
Associations
Teams
Individual providers
The core responsibilities of health-service providers for quality improvement are different. Providers may be seen as whole organizations, teams, or individual health workers.
Ideally, all three levels will be equally committed to the broad aims of quality policy for the whole health system. However, the associations are the highest-level of organization combining together individual health providers and teams, whose main concern will be to ensure that the services they provide are of the highest possible standard and meet the needs of individual service users, their families, and communities.

3. Policy cycle: PAs as key agents for policy change
Agenda setting
Policy formulation
Policy adoption
Implementation
Evaluation
Traditionally, HCPs are seen as mere implementers of policies which has been considered by ministries for them. It is not unusual though that we see deviations from what is stated in policies and how they actually implemented.
In the end of the day, it is individual skills and culture of HCPs which will be affecting the way the care has been delivered.

4. Professional associations in the QoC assurance process
Policy and Strategy development: produce and update health policies and evidence-based guidelines
Setting professional standards
Ensure physicians’ compliance
Analyse noncompliance and act to improve practice
Accrediting services
Setting educational standards
Research
Even where health systems are well developed and resourced, there is clear evidence that quality remains a serious concern, with expected outcomes not predictably achieved and with wide variations in standards of health-care delivery within and between health-care systems.
Where health systems – particularly in developing countries – need to optimize resource use and expand population coverage, the process of improvement and scaling up needs to be based on sound local strategies for quality so that the best possible results are achieved from new investment.

5. PAs in EECA countries: priorities of engagement and support at national level
Source: Mapping of engagement and roles of professional associations in the EECA countries. Dr. T. Khomasuridze, Dr. T. Seyidov

6. PAs in EECA countries: engagement in QA/QI work at national level
Source: Mapping of engagement and roles of professional associations in the EECA countries. Dr. T. Khomasuridze, Dr. T. Seyidov

7. PAs in EECA countries: engagement in Advocacy work at national level
Source: Mapping of engagement and roles of professional associations in the EECA countries. Dr. T. Khomasuridze, Dr. T. Seyidov

8. PAs in EECA: summary
Although PAs focused on SRH are available at national level, their authority as to level of engagement in QA/QI processes, policymaking and health promotion differs significantly and is yet to be strengthened
More than 80% (14/17) of EECA countries indicated their PAs are engaged in advocacy with policymakers on SRH, whereas only 3 (KYR, SRB, UKR) get funding support from their Gov’ts
53% (9/17) of countries said that PAs have appropriate legal status, whereas only 3 (FYROM, SRB, UKR) engaged into certification/licensing of HCPs working on SRH

9. Current interventions for PAs in EECA: Continuity and Quality of Evidence-based Care
UNFPA blended learning courses (available online, at no cost to end-user, used in conjunction with live courses):
Regional initiative on the development and implementation of SRH clinical guidelines:
train clinicians, managers and policy makers in guideline development and adaptation in order to further develop health care structures and improve health care provision
insight into clinical governance and how this informs the need for an evidence based approach to develop and adapt clinical guidelines for local use
Interactive online multi-language learning package for evidence-based family planning (virtual contraceptive consultation for PHC level)
support countries to build institutional capacity in the area of family planning
re-position family planning by improving of service providers’ knowledge
UNFPA/EBCOG fellowship programme for professional associations from the EECA region:
3 fellows completed their programmes in the most advanced European universities
Based on outcomes of ICPDB2014 regional consultaitons UNFPA EECA RO will address priority issues of Sexul and Reporductive Health by supporting the consultations and evidence based advocacy with policy makers for addressing SRH priority issues, operationalisation of policy papers and recommendations in the context of ICPDB2014.
The regional programme will support the collaboration with partners, (WHO and others) for conducting operational researches and building thematic alliances on priority SRH issues (maternal mortality, cervical cancer etc). I would like to take the opportunity and to thank WHO/Euro and Dr. Lasdane for for a very fruitful cooperation and translation of regional SRH priorities in Entre Nous.

10. Current interventions for PAs in EECA: Evidence-based Advocacy and Policimaking
Upstream work:
Strengthening networking, coalition building and advocacy capacities of Professional Associations
Building thematic alliances with leading institutions for addressing SRH priority issues (inequalities in access to SRH/FP services, maternal mortality, cervical cancer, client oriented FP services, teenage pregnancies)
Monitoring the implementation of strategic SRH framework documents, such as European Action Plan on Human Rights Based SRH

11. Future opportunities for PAs in the EECA region
Advocate for the needs of both consumers and providers
Promote high standards of practice, incl. continued practice competence
Setting codes of professional conduct
Form networks with other professional associations in the region and beyond
Liaise with legislative and regulatory bodies
Professional associations are an important bridge connecting the needs of health care clients, policy makers and health professionals delivering services. A strong professional association ensures the public of high standards of care and advocates for consumers’ needs while motivating new and experienced health care professionals to continually improve the quality of care they provide as they proceed along a stimulating, empowering and rewarding career trajectory

12. THANK YOU!