Solomon Islands Medical Partnership
From 2015 to 2024, the Solomon Islands Medical Partnership for Learning Education and Research (SIMPLER) was a collaboration between AVI, the Australian Volunteers Program, the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Ministry of Health & Medical Services – Solomon Islands and the National Referral Hospital, Honiara, to support the supervision and training of large numbers of returned foreign-trained medical graduates to Solomon Islands.
The Solomon Islands Medical Partnership for Learning, Education and Research (SIMPLER) was a three-phase health volunteering and systems improvement project initially established in 2015 to support prevocational training and education for Solomon Islands foreign-trained medical graduates, who had begun to return to the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara for their internship and subsequent application for medical registration.
The project was established at the request of Ministry of Health and Medical Servies (MHMS) and NRH, and, with Australian Government funding, brought together a number of key health stakeholders in both Australia and Solomon Islands, including the Australian High Commission (AHC) in Honiara and several Australian medical colleges, with Australian Volunteers International (AVI) responsible for the design, implementation and management of the project.
The program concluded in March 2024, with all projects and activities transferred to the MHMS and NRH.
Background
Currently, students cannot study medicine in Solomon Islands. Instead, aspiring young doctors are sent to Cuba under a scholarship program offered by the Cuban Government or else study at approved out-of-country institutions in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, China and Taiwan.
When they return, they must enter into an apprenticeship model, where they are immersed in clinical placements, supervised and taught by their seniors. During their intern years these medical graduates develop and consolidate skills, abilities and knowledge as they move towards more independent medical practice.
However, there was a significant shortage of appropriately trained doctors to supervise these newly qualified doctors.
Through SIMPLER, Australian health professionals were sent to Solomon Islands to work side by side with local colleagues to help supervise and train large numbers of foreign-trained medical graduates returning to Solomon Islands as well as improve or develop support systems, such as laboratory, diabetic care and nursing services.
Program outcomes
From 2015 to 2024, SIMPLER helped educate and train 191 foreign-trained medical graduates (FTMG) through their one-year Bridging Program and/or two-year Internship at the National Referral Hospital. To achieve this, SIMPLER deployed 44 Australian healthworker volunteers to work in the NRH for periods between two weeks and three years. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the National Referral Hospital assumed ownership of the SIMPLER projects from April 2024.
The video below summarises some of the key achievements of the SIMPLER program.
The SIMPLER Model
Training for medical interns and skills development for Australian volunteers
Dr Emire Meone Maefiti, Internal Medicine Physician of the National Referral Hospital (NRH), Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Bridging Program
The Bridging Program supports foreign-trained medical graduates to consolidate, expand and apply their knowledge and skills under close supervision, through clinical immersion and regular, structured education sessions.
Intern Training Program
The two-year Intern Training Program allows medical graduates (either directly from university or after completing the Bridging Program) to complete the prescribed minimum standards in a range of clinical disciplines in order to become fully registered doctors.
Post registration training
Volunteers are also involved in the development of a Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Medicine and supporting candidates undertaking the Diploma in Emergency Medicine.
Medicine in the Pacific
SIMPLER provides an opportunity for Australian medical health professionals to develop their skills and knowledge about healthcare delivery in a limited resource setting, learning from highly experienced local specialists about the burdens on healthcare in Solomon Islands.
Participants also develop their skills as a medical educator, sharing knowledge with young doctors to increase their capacity to deliver medical care across the Solomon Islands.
Dr Emire Meone Maefiti, Internal Medicine Physician of the National Referral Hospital (NRH), Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Solomon Islands Medical Education Online Learning Modules
The Solomon Islands Medical Education Online Learning Modules are self-directed learning material designed specifically for Solomon Islands Bridging Program and Intern Training Program participants undertaking their prevocational training at the National Referral Hospital. Learn more and register for Online Learning Module access.
Articles and Research
Published May 2023, this most recent scholarly article provides an updated picture of the impacts of Cuban medical training in the Pacific region focusing on two case studies. It highlights the experiences of Pacific Island doctors trained in Cuba and their integration into practice in their home country.
We are the ones who will have to make the change Sharon McLennan and Cristine Werle (May 2023)
Solomon Islands Snapshot
