Since 2015, the UNFPA, based on the new approaches of the World Health Organization and on the guidelines developed by famous professional associations, has initiated the development and piloting of Clinical Guidelines with the RA Ministry of Health, the Republican Institute of Reproductive Health, Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Association of Obstetricians-Gynecologists and Neonatologists.
During the years, more than 30 guidelines have been developed and piloted in 10 largest maternity hospitals, hundreds of doctors and students have been trained based on the guidelines.
“In 2018, the idea to share a new approach with new people, who are today's clinical residents, came to our minds. The aim of the initiative is that the students are aware about the guidelines and know the effectiveness of it while they are studding, and in future, working as doctors, they will definitely be guided by the document and also will guide their colleagues, encouraging them to use the guidelines," said Vruyr Grigoryan, the coordinator of the working group on National guidelines development, consultant on obstetrics and gynecology of the Ministry of Health of the RA.
Based on the guidelines, several clinical residents of Yerevan Medical University after M. Heratsi and from National Health Institute, passed a special training course. The participants were introduced to the guidebooks, the topics that are presented there and special topics were delivered on the peculiarities of pregnancy and delivery by the lecturers: Ani Malkhasyan, Alyosha Toroyan, Armine Gyulbangyan, and Angela Mkrtchyan.
"I was a 4th year student when I got involved in this initiative, which was very compelling, because we were asked to teach young people and show the importance of guidebooks based on our own experience and promote the proven truth: when you are informed, you are also protected. Having an opportunity to work according to the guidebooks is a great achievement, as for example, you work using the same approaches as in England. You follow the same guidelines, taking into account the new trends", said Angela Mkrtchyan, the expert, obstetrician-gynecologist of the Republican Hospital, "It is a very complex profession, you are dealing with at least two lives and any mistake, unchecked information can be fatal. Тhe guidelines protect us and help us to have the most positive outcome. And the birth of each child becomes a motivation for us to learn more, explore the professional literature to be able to support more".
Artak Jumayan, the deputy minister of Health of the RA, was an invited guest of the training. He highlighted the importance of the integration of clinical guidelines in Armenia: "The Ministry, as a policy-making body, highly values this initiative and overall, our cooperation with the UNFPA in several directions. Today's training participants are our future doctors and after one or two years they will work as practical doctors and it is important that they have a right start in their career. The guidelines provide these opportunities: to use the right clinical guidelines to combat the disease, to have a stronger knowledge, to be protected”, says Mr. Jumayan highlighting the role of guidelines while introducing in health insurance system in Armenia, "This is one of the most important mechanisms for launching the insurance in Armenia, also in terms of control, which will specify not only the number of beneficiaries, but also the institution will sure that the treatment was provided according to the guidelines."
30 clinical residents received certificates of 3 days training course participation.
Shushan Nersisyan, 3rd year clinical resident of "Obstetrics and Gynecology" - "As we are also working in the practical field, we will try to use the knowledge, new methods and innovative approaches in our daily work and also share them with our senior colleagues. I am particularly interested in the information about the new approaches regarding tocolysis, which I definitely will discuss with my colleagues."
Elen Harutyunyan, 3rd year clinical resident of "Obstetrics and Gynecology" - "Besides self-education, learning from the experience of elders, these guidelines are also very important. The presentation of the topic is especially very interesting, I haven't noticed how the time passed. It is also an interesting approach when young people are delivering the lectures, we feel more open to address questions.
Sona Sahakyan, 3rd year clinical resident of "Obstetrics and Gynecology" - It is interesting that the knowledge is transferred through games and medical thinking is being developed. Often in ordinary cases, we focus in one direction, while, for example, we need to think more broadly, and most importantly, the knowledge should be clear, sometimes you doubt and and you can't insist on it and we just lose a point in the play, but in real life it can bring serious consequences."
Astghik Hovhannisyan, 4th year clinical resident of "Obstetrics and Gynecology" - "I will highlight teamwork, the importance of which we have once again seen in emergency situations. Someone may have inhibition, but your colleague can help you, which is very important in medicine, especially in emergency cases."
“UNFPA always supports the Ministry of Health to improve maternal and reproductive health in Armenia working in various directions: through the development of field policies, clinical guidelines on modern approaches and evidence-based medicine, initiating trainings for health workers”, says Narine Beglaryan, Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme Analyst, ”Today's meeting is being held within the framework of one of those mentioned important directions, which will help young specialists to gain new knowledge and share it among their colleagues, ensuring the multiplier effect, and thereby, contributing to improving the quality healthcare system”
