Qualitative LEAP Project

Summary

The development of new ways to bring advanced ongoing medical education in Cuba came forth through the implementation of “Quality Leap Project” in the province of Pinar del Río since 1991. The Project is co-sponsored by our Ministry of Public Health an the Pan American Health Organization. Its fundamental basis has been to increase Medical Faculty commitment to identify and solve community health problems. Three main areas were structured: the motivational, the organizational and the professional ones; in an attempt to facilitate an integrated and systematic approach for different active teaching-learning procedures. They will often take place at their proper health services. An assessment of the impact of the educational processes on the quality of health services is now being done, in order to evaluate changes in health indicators, clinical competence, professional performance and the reaction of the population. During 1995/1996 we are implementing strategies to extend these experiences to other provinces, including rural and mountains regions. The design and development of educational research is an essential component in the extension of this Project.