title: Training the eye care team: principles and practice.
abstract: One of the crucial factors to make high quality eye care services available, accessible and affordable to all is the availability of appropriately trained human resources. Providing health through a health care team is a better and cost effective alternative. The concept of the team approach is based on the principles of working together; task shifting; and ensuring continuity of care. Composition of a team varies based on the community needs, population characteristics and disease burden. But for it to be effective, a team must possess four attributes - availability, competency, productivity, and responsiveness. Therefore, training of all team members and training the team to work together as a unit are crucial components in the success of this concept. Some of the critical attributes include: Training across the health spectrum through quality and responsive curricula administered by motivated teachers; accreditation of programs or institutions by national or international bodies; certification and recertification of team members; and training in working together as a team through inter- and intra- disciplinary workshops both during training and as a part of the job activity.
authors.affiliation: Academy of Eye Care Education, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Prashant
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Garg
authors.affiliation: Academy of Eye Care Education, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Snigdha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Academy of Eye Care Education, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Chaitanya
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nelluri
mesh_terms: D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006295:Health Resources / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study; Eye Care Team; Health; Task Shifting; Team Training; Working Together