Providing appropriate training and skills in developing countries

This paper looks at the content, methods and evaluation of training in communication therapy developed in Vietnam over a two year period using a wider approach to treatment than a medical one. It argues that training to institution staff needs to combine the needs of a community and principles of community based rehabilitation with a more traditional medical model. It examines the need to develop training programmes for trainers based on a sharing of attitudes and awareness between institutions and communities as well as some more prescriptive and activity-based training. It examines the selection and role of trainees who attend such training courses and skills required by the trainers. It also relates these skills to possible approaches to service delivery in this country.