Online Learning/Grand Rounds/Curriculum Support:
The aim of is to support the scaling up and upskilling of Nurse Anesthesia Training in Liberia and develop the Phebe Nurse Anesthesia Program as a Regional Center of Excellence in Nurse Anesthesia Education.
The BAAC partners have been working together since 2017 to strengthen the nurse anesthesia curriculum, advance faculty development, and strengthen clinical teaching and support faculty and clinical preceptor development. Selected accomplishments to date include the development of a rigorous, competency-based curriculum which was approved by the Liberian Board of Nursing and Midwifery as the national anesthesia curriculum and recognized by the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists; expansion of clinical training opportunities for first and second year students allowing them to complete more cases of increasing complexity; development of Liberian/US co-led on-line learning, increased enrollment and graduation; and expansion of the on-line grand rounds to include anesthetists from across Liberia.
In support of this initiative BAAC funds:
- Full scholarships (tuition and board and room) for two students per year with an emphasis on students from rural, underserved areas
- Tablets for all students, loaded with learning resources. The tablets are used throughout the program and graduates have them when they go out to practice, often in areas where they practice alone
- Internet enhancements to support on-line learning
- Co-teaching: Phebe/U.S. based CRNA/NP faculty co-teach hybrid classroom/on-line anesthesia courses
- Support for website development to host the on-line teaching
- Awards at graduation for the student with the Highest GPA and who participated in the greatest number of cases
- Refurbishing a bus to bring students to clinical affiliations
- Stipends for students to travel to other locations for clinical affiliation. This is critical to their meeting the requirement for 250 cases of increasing complexity prior to graduation
Preceptor trainings
BAAC Virtual Anesthesia Grand Rounds
Liberian and US-based anesthetists come together once a month online to discuss cases, problem solve and share clinical best practices that strengthen anesthesia care in Liberia through relevant presentations and assessment of quality improvement, policies, and procedures.
Under the leadership of Patricia O’Connor and Aaron Sonah, a committee meets regularly to identify topics, cases for discussion, and clinician presenters. The rounds are co-led by Liberian and Boston anesthetists. This initiative is hosted by Phebe-Esther Bacon College of Health Sciences and the BIDMC Anesthesia Department with input from all partners. Using web-based technology (Zoom), Liberian and US-based anesthetists discuss cases, problem solve and assess current practice standards. Liberian faculty and students from Phebe, as well as practicing Nurse Anesthetists from 28 anesthesia providing facilities around Liberia, join the rounds along with nurse anesthesia colleagues from across the United States and other African countries.
CEUs (Continuing Education Units) are awarded for participation. To obtain CEUs (continuing education units) for participating in the rounds, participants will sign their name in the zoom chat. CEUs will be awarded annually based on the number of rounds attended.
In support of this initiative BAAC funds internet routers and internet time at Phebe to host these rounds, as well as stipends to 28 anesthesia-providing facilities in Liberia for internet time to assure they can connect for the rounds and the CEUs.
- Links to Grand Rounds:
- BAAC Grand Rounds 2023
- BAAC Grand Rounds 2024
BAAC Grand Rounds Planning Committee
Name Hospital/Country Role Trish O’Connor, CRNA, MSN BIDMC US lead Aaron Sonah, CRNA, BSN, MS PEBCHS Nurse Anesthesia Program Liberia lead Ama Taplah, CRNA, BSN, MS JFK Medical Center Committee member Lorba Tulay, CRNA, BSN, MS C.B. Dunbar Hospital Committee member Jebba Zaza, CRNA, BSN Tellewoyan Hospital Committee member Macaulay Kilinwollo, CRNA, BSN PEBCHS Nurse Anesthesia Program Committee member Theophilus James, CRNA, BSN JJ Dossen Hospital Committee member In support of this initiative BAAC funds internet routers and internet time at Phebe to host these rounds, as well as stipends to 28 anesthesia-providing facilities in Liberia for internet time to assure they can connect for the rounds and the CEUs.