Elderly Care and PEN Protocols in Focus During PHC Trainings
Care for the elderly, as part of the implementation of the Essential Package for managing noncommunicable diseases, was the focus of two training sessions organised by the Association of Family Physicians of Kosovo (AMFK) and held at the Centre for Development of Family Medicine (CDFM).
The training sessions brought together healthcare professionals from Prizren, Gjakova, Rahovec, Malisheva, Prishtina, Lipjan and Mitrovica.
The training sessions aimed to strengthen participants' professional knowledge and skills in implementing recommended interventions and providing high-quality, comprehensive care tailored to patients' needs, with particular emphasis on the elderly living with chronic conditions within Primary Health Care (PHC).
Care for the Elderly: From Communication to Managing Health Needs
The training held on 8 October addressed the ageing process and the health problems that may accompany it, with particular attention to communication with older patients living with chronic conditions. The sessions covered myths and realities of ageing, strategies for improving communication, and hearing and vision assessments.
The programme also addressed physical frailty, memory loss, urinary incontinence, depression and mobility limitations. Diagnosis and management of dementia, healthy nutrition and fall prevention were among the topics covered.
Particular attention was paid to health education, including self-management of chronic diseases and the use of educational materials for patients and their families. These topics emphasised care that takes into account the everyday needs of older people and the role of families in supporting them.
The training was supported through co-funding by the Accessible Quality Healthcare (AQH) Project and the Kosovo Doctors Chamber (KDC), and is intended to become a regular part of the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Programme for healthcare professionals in PHC. The relevant module has already been integrated into the specialist training programme in Family Medicine.
PEN Protocols: An Integrated Approach to Managing Noncommunicable Diseases
The training held on 9 October focused on the World Health Organization's Package of Essential Noncommunicable (PEN) Disease Interventions for Primary Health Care, known as PEN. This package has already been incorporated to a considerable extent into the Ministry of Health's strategic documents, as well as national clinical guidelines and protocols for Primary Health Care. These documents provide an important foundation for strengthening professional capacities and improving the prevention, diagnosis and management of noncommunicable diseases.
The sessions addressed the integration of PEN protocols into primary health care services and the tools that support their implementation in everyday practice. The programme also included a practical exercise on using risk assessment charts, linking theoretical knowledge with clinical decision-making.
Both training sessions, supported by the AQH Project and OMK, linked updated knowledge with its practical application, aiming to support care that better meets patients' needs and more structured management of noncommunicable diseases.