Qualitative Evaluation of a Professional Training: Community Health at Alioune Diop University in Bambey (UADB)

Introduction: Health training community is based on a professionalizing approach which consists of placing on the job market community health professionals with know-how and able to meet the needs of the populations. Goals: Assess with community health professionals the level of adequacy of theoretical and practical training in the field of their training and with employers, the quality and relevance of the skills retained within the framework of the teaching / learning program of these professionals. Methods: This is a qualitative study carried out from February 1 to April 15, 2020, targeting community health professionals (semi-structured interviews) et employers (focus group). The content analysis of the speeches illustrated by the words put in quotation marks by the people surveyed was carried out. Results: Community health professionals have affirmed that there is an adequacy between theoretical and practical training in the field and internships in care and community settings have greatly contributed to making this training professional. The professionalizing nature of this training is confirmed by the employers, that is to say the officials of the Ministry of Health and Social Action but also by non-governmental organizations. They underlined the usefulness of these professionals in the health system. The training model is co-constructed between teachers and employers and the latter's concerns are taken into account. Community health professionals consider it essential to revisit the training model and adapt it to the context of the country. So, it has been proposed to eliminate certain teaching units, to strengthen others, but above all to integrate certain topical issues. With regard to professional integration, it was noted that it is more easily done at the level of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) than at the level of the Ministry of Health and Social Action. Conclusion: Recommendations were formulated for a revision of the model in order to make the training more adapted to the needs of the market, as well as the recruitment of graduates by the Ministry of Health and Social Action.