PEP is an innovative, self-help learning programme which enables groups of midwives, doctors and undergraduate students to manage their own courses in maternal and newborn care.

THE PEP MANUALS

The basic PEP course is presented as two self-instructional manuals (Maternal Care and Newborn Care) that together form an outreach learning programme that covers all the important and common problems in perinatal care.Each manual consists of 15 theory units.The units are modular and address specific clinical problems. If necessary, the units can be studied on their own or integrated into another curriculum.Many of the units are followed by skills workshops. While the units enable the participant to learn the theoretical knowledge about the topic and stress correct attitudes, the skills workshops describe the practical skills needed to apply the newly learned knowledge.

STUDY GROUPS

Usually groups of 5 to 10 participants study the PEP course together.This is preferable to studying alone.The group elects a leader who orders the manuals and arranges a study meeting about every 3 weeks.The time and venue is decided by the group and permission for the meeting is obtained from the local health care authorities.The meetings are usually held during working hours and the group leader is not paid for the additional responsibility.The material from one unit at a time is studied by each participant at home.At the meeting the contents of the unit are discussed and clinical skills practiced thus introducing the concept of peer tuition.Members assist and encourage one another in a spirit of co-operative learning.

COURSE ASSESSMENT

Participants complete and mark their own multiple choice tests before and after each unit is studied.The pretest draws attention to areas of knowledge to be learned while the post test assesses progress and indicates the sections which still need further attention. Self-assessment allows the participants to monitor their own progress through the PEP course.

SKILLS WORKSHOPS

The group leader invites an appropriate medical or nursing colleague to demonstrate the clinical skills at the group meeting.Each participant carefully reads the step-by-step instructions in the skills workshop beforehand.In this way, local resource personnel are encouraged to share their skills and become involved in the course.

FINAL EXAMINATION

On completion of each manual a multiple choice examination is offered in South Africa by the Perinatal Education Trust. The examination is supervised by a responsible person selected by the group leader.A certificate is issued to each successful candidate by the Trust.

FUNDING

It is strongly recommended that participants buy their own manuals.If a sponsor is available, retrospective bursaries can be awarded to participants who successfully complete the examination.