The Participatory Approach to Learning in Systems (PALS) is a training approach for IPC improvement in Nigerian health facilities. The Trainer Handbook is the first in a series of training manuals which address the needs of different target groups in the complex ecosystem of the healthcare facility. PALS is a training approach that helps to strengthen the operational structures of IPC in the health system through the Change Agents training program. The PALS approach views IPC improvement processes as social negotiation processes in a system; it seeks to connect IPC technical knowledge with scientific based concepts of interaction and systemic change in the context of care in health facilities. It fosters interprofessional and inter-cadre cooperation among health workers and promotes active support of IPC by health facility management.
The Trainer Handbook is designed to stimulate and help participants of the PALS IPC Training of Trainers to deepen their understanding of the “Participatory Approach to Learning in Systems (PALS)” and of the didactic competences required to train and mentor others in the translation of PALS into practice. It presents the PALS concept for improvement in infection prevention and control in health facilities and describes its theoretical underpinnings, gives an overview on communication and collaboration methods and models which help to translate PALS into various practice contexts and offers Trainers a practical toolbox with tools and exercises that are used in PALS trainings.
PALS cannot be taught, it has to be experienced! This manual helps to guide practitioners in this experiential endeavour and creates curiosity in other actors in the field of health system strengthening and organisational development. We hope that it stimulates further participatory project management and teamwork in national and international public health collaboration.