Practical Lessons
Clinical Management (SEX, HIV & DRUGS), Interpersonal Communication, and Mobilizing Resources from the Private Sector for the Public Health Program, for Trained General Practitioners from Puskesmas, DKI Province
A three day workshop for Community Health Center (puskesmas) doctors was held at FK UKI (Medical Faculty of the Indonesian Christian University) between the 2nd and 4th of November 2015. The workshop constitutes an important element within the scope of work of the Angsamerah – DERAP collaboration, and aims at providing general practitioners, who work in puskesmas providing HIV and AIDS services in DKI Jakarta Province, with a comprehensive support package related to the clinical management of HIV and AIDS, STIs, hepatitis, tuberculosis and recreational drug use, interpersonal communication skills and self-motivation, as well as on how to partner with and mobilize resources from private sector partners. Among the participants, there were also five doctors who are lecturers at FK UKI.
The workshop has been co-funded by DERAP, USAID, COFRA Foundation, FK UKI, ASHM and Angsamerah Institution, and endorsed and accredited by the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) and the Provincial Health Office (Dinas Kesehatan DKI Jakarta).
Day 1 – Positive Character Building: Focus on Communication, Goal Setting, and Self-Motivation
The theme of the first day was “Steps of Positive Character Building”, focusing on the participants (health providers) themselves. The aim of this daylong session is to equip participants with basic communication skills (internal and interpersonal), and work on issues such as self-motivation and goal setting. These so called soft skills are often neglected but are as important for health professionals as clinical skills and knowledge. The sessions were delivered by a team of skilled experts from Angsamerah, Adhe Zamzam Prasasti, who is a psychologist, and Dr. Asti Widihastuti, a medical doctor and health counsellor.
Participants learned, among other things, that good communication skills are pivotal to a successful and rewarding practice. Health providers need to be able to communicate well and clearly with clients (patients), staff, partners, associates, and stakeholders. Particularly when dealing with patients who suffer from conditions related to SEX, HIV & DRUGS, which are very private and culturally sensitive issues, good communication skills are key. Good communication skills allow a doctor to express himself/herself with more confidence, allow patients to understand complex medical issues and their situation, which will not only have a positive impact on the diagnosis, care and treatment of a given medical condition, but also attract more clients and allow for better collaboration with referral sources. This in turn will lead to a more profitable and enjoyable practice, because clients that a doctor communicates with well will trust and like their doctor and are thus more likely to return.
Participants were excited, delighted and surprised in response to the program of the first day, as the issues addressed and particularly the way the material had been delivered, was beyond their expectations.
Day 2 – Focus on Clinical Aspects: HIV and AIDS, STI, hepatitis, tuberculosis and recreational drug use
Comprehensive and up-to-date clinical knowledge related to HIV and AIDS, STIs, hepatitis, tuberculosis and addiction problems are vital for any competent general practitioner in today’s world. However, in reality, many general practitioners, both in the private and public sectors, still lack comprehensive and updated knowledge in this regard.
Therefore, the second day of the workshop dealt with a wide variety of clinical issues related to SEX, HIV & DRUGS, delivered in an interactive way (presentations & case study discussions) by renowned national experts. Below an overview of the sessions delivered on the 2nd day:
1. Opportunistic Parasitic Infections in HIV Patients – Retno Wahyuningsih, Prof, Dr, dr, MS, SP.ParK
2. Update on Clinical Management of HIV in the Primary Health Care Setting – Samsuridjal Djauzi, Prof, Dr, dr, Sp.PD-KAI
3. Tuberculosis and HIV – Adria Rusli, dr, SpP
4. Drugs, Addiction and Over Dose Management in Primary Care – Ratna Mardiati, dr, Sp.KJ (K)
5. Sexually Transmitted Infections – Diagnosis and Treatment: Individual Approach and Public Health Perspective – Hanny Hapsari, dr, Sp.KK (K)
6. Clinical Case Studies – Donies Lumban Gaol, dr, SpPD and Stanislaus Bondan Widjajanto, dr, MKes
7. Introduction Co-Infection HIV and Hepatitis B & C – Juferdy Kurniawan, dr, Sp.PD-KGEH
Throughout the second day, participants stayed attentive and participated actively.
Day 3 – Focus on Mobilizing Resources, Personal Branding, and Entrepreneurship Skills for Doctors
On the third and last day of the workshop, the focus was laid on practical aspects, allowing participants to draw from their professional experience and to apply their newly gained knowledge and skills during a number of interactive group works and discussions. The sessions were delivered by Dr. Marcia Soumokil, Deputy Chief of Party KINERJA USAID, and Dr. Nurlan Silitonga.
After a short session introducing participants to Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV delivered by Dr. Nurlan Silitonga, the bulk of the day was dedicated to the session “Mobilizing Resources”, which was aimed at providing the participating doctors with practical tips and recommendations on how to engage with and mobilize resources from the private sector in order to support the public health program and maximize professional goals and opportunities.
After a short introduction to the topic, participants were divided into five groups to enjoy a creativity game as well learning about mobilizing resources in practice with a fun way. The results were truly astonishing, demonstrating not only the creativity of the doctors to create something with the available resources, which as in real life are often limited, but also showed their strategic skills to engage with other groups (partners, or “competitors”) in order to improve the quality and results of their work. The session was then wrapped up by Dr. Marcia Soumokil, encouraging participants to think out of the box and actively engage with partners in order to achieve better results in their work as puskesmas doctors.
After lunch, during the last two sessions of the workshop, participants were provided with basic knowledge related to business management and strategy. The doctors listened with great interest to Dr. Nurlan Silitonga, who shared her knowledge, insights and advice during a session titled “Entrepreneurship skills for doctors”, making many references to her journey establishing the two Angsamerah private clinics and Angsamerah Institution.
Dr. Nurlan Silitonga also delivered a session about “Personal Branding”, encouraging participants to be self-confident and take ownership of their personal and career paths and reach for their dreams. At the end of this last session all participants were asked to write a short profile of themselves, which is now displayed, together with a photograph, on Angsamerah blog.
All workshop participants received a certification (15 Credit Points) from the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI).
Methods and Speakers
The workshop was delivered by using interactive and practical methods, such as presentations, discussions, and case studies. Guest speakers consisted of a wide range of experienced national experts on HIV and AIDS, STI, HIV and hepatitis co-infection, HIV and tuberculosis co-infection, addiction medicine, communication and self-motivation, as well as resources mobilization.
Complete profiles of guest speakers and contributors can be accessed at: Angsamerah Experts Networking.
Testimonies from Participants
Before the closing, participants were asked to write down anonymously their opinion about the workshop. The participants expressed positively about the workshop, and recommended that this kind of workshop should be provided for other doctors.
“Very good, especially the material about motivation, inciting us to be more positive. To motivate myself not to be afraid to dream and to try hard to do better.”
“Extraordinary, motivating me to do better, be more innovative and creative as doctor. To see the beauty of life today and tomorrow.”
“The workshop has been very useful, especially for doctors providing HIV services. Quite satisfying and not boring, and very inspirational.”
“I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to participate in this three day workshop, because it made me realize that each person has special qualities that others don’t have, including myself.”
The organizers from FKUKI, IDI and Angsamerah, and special thanks to Dr. ABI Noya for the lovely photographs.
Read more about the first training in July 2014 and the second training in June 2015.
More relevant materials about this event can be accessed in the publication and training sections.
