Collaborative learning and stakeholder engagement: lessons and implications of the revitalization of the Continuing Professional Development policy for health workers in Nigeria

Abstract

Improving the knowledge and skills of Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLSs) is imperative and a key intervention area in Nigeria. Earning continuing professional development (CPD) credits is a requirement for re-licensing of MLSs. While the requirement was adopted in 1996, it was rarely practiced and enforced due to the absence of adequate stakeholder commitment and a lack of comprehensive and accessible accredited activities. Recognizing these challenges, a multi-stakeholder partnership was built to expand upon and institutionalize the previously defunct CPD Policy and develop e-learning courses for CPD credits. A mixed method evaluation concluded that developing e-learning courses for CPD credits made the policy more accessible to MLSs. In addition, the evaluation concluded that third generation knowledge management principles improved stakeholder collaboration and joint adoption and implementation of the Policy and e-learning courses. Results and lessons learned can be adopted by other cadres of health workers and government agencies on various global health topics.