Postgraduate training in the Autonomous Region of Madeira (Portugal)

Background The Autonomous Region of Madeira (Portugal) offers postgraduate training for health professionals (medical doctors, nurses, home-care workers, other health workers) in the following forms: e-learning; regional academic programmes; regional training programmes on health care; cooperation with mainland Portugal; and degree-oriented programmes abroad. In addition, there are specific courses in leadership and emergency, simulation courses in different specialities and 2-day training courses on emergency preparedness for major incidents. Efforts to innovate postgraduate training have also been made, for example, in relation to the use of big data in the health-care system. Delivery The organization and delivery of postgraduate training in Madeira could be improved though: better communication between those developing the programmes; the development of a consortium policy in partnership with universities in other European countries and the Federal States of Micronesia; and the establishment of a budget policy aimed at supporting research and well-being interventions in small countries/ regions (with the help of the European Union). The three most urgent considerations for Madeira involve: developing a human-resources policy; improving the quality of life of human resources in small countries (for example, well-being, happiness and security); and supporting knowledge development through digital nomads (highly qualified investigators who reside for short periods in Madeira to promote start-ups). Initiatives Postgraduate training in Madeira ranges from the regional/ national to the international level. Two examples are: 1. medical response to major incidents (MRMI), a teaching/ training programme on response to major incidents and disasters (which has been shared with Croatia, Israel, Italy, Sweden and England (United Kingdom), among others); 2. arbovirus surveillance and control in Europe. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Postgraduate training in the Autonomous Region of Madeira (Portugal) has highlighted Madeira’s vector-surveillance programme as an example of good practice. In November 2019, the Maltese focal point for infectious disease prevention and control visited Madeira to learn more about this programme. Data Public health data on infectious diseases, chronic diseases and emergencies are currently available in the public health system. Madeira would like to have data on health-professional skills and meritocracy from all sectors (health, health economy, tourism, airports, ports, etc.). Role of postgraduate training in reducing brain drain To stop brain drain, Madeira suggests promoting positive region-specific features (such as, environmental or geographical characteristics) among health professionals. The best way to create new knowledge in an outermost region of Europe, such as Madeira, is to recommend the advantages of living there, such as high quality of life, better salaries, security, and potential for raising a family. Challenges and enablers In Madeira, academic empowerment and international partnership could help bring about improvements in postgraduate training. Being an outermost region of Europe means that Madeira needs to find its niche in terms of postgraduate training. Cross-country collaboration Madeira would be interested in sharing information about its MRMI programme (on responding to major incidents and disasters) with other countries. WHO support needed Madeira would welcome WHO support in creating a new Erasmus programme focused on the health system, as well as in encouraging the use of digital nomads. © World Health Organization 2020. Some rights reserved. This work is available under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO license. © W H O Postgraduate training in the Autonomous Region of Madeira (Portugal) Advice/how to improve postgraduate training To improve postgraduate training, Madeira advises carrying out an assessment of the country’s future postgraduate- training needs, making a roadmap (framework), and focusing on health and global economics. There should be a broader understanding of health as a continuum. In this connection, Madeira considers prevention and the planning of postgraduate training as key areas for which 10–20% of the health budget should be allocated. © World Health Organization 2020. Some rights reserved. This work is available under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO license. WHO/EURO:2020-1305-41055-55735