title: Postgraduate education in transfusion medicine in the absence of formal residency training: assessment of factors needed to develop and sustain a postgraduate diploma program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Quality education in transfusion medicine is key to delivering a safe and cost-effective blood service, yet postgraduate residency programs are lacking in many resource-limited countries and regions. The first formal, accredited, postgraduate training program in transfusion medicine aimed at medical doctors was developed and implemented at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 2008. In the context of high demand and limited resources, ensuring sustainability of postgraduate training programs is essential.
  
  
  METHODS
  A formal qualitative and semi-quantitative research approach was followed to determine and test the factors considered important in program sustainability, and consisted of a literature survey, followed by semi-structured interviews and a Delphi survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-five factors were identified from the semi-structured interviews. During the Delphi survey, consensus was reached on 41 and stability declared on a further 13. These factors formed the basis of a structured model informing the sustainability aspects of a postgraduate program in transfusion medicine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Literature on program sustainability in the field of transfusion medicine is very limited. This study identified the key factors essential to the long-term viability of a postgraduate program in transfusion medicine and should find broad applicability in other resource-limited countries and regions. It is envisaged that this will enable such programs to reach a state of self-sufficiency while not being overly reliant on external funding and support.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Haematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa. Electronic address: louwvj@ufs.ac.za.
authors.forename: Vernon J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Louw
authors.forename: Marietjie M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Nel
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Hay
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards*; D003625:Data Collection; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D013019:South Africa; D064826:Transfusion Medicine / Q000193:education*