Private Sector Engagement Strategy in CPD Provision in Jordan

The strategy aims to identify opportunities for increasing private sector engagement to expand the number of CPD providers and activities, and to present recommendations for strengthening the CPD system in Jordan. The Government of Jordan (GOJ) issued a Relicensing Bylaw #46 in 2018, which requires all health care providers (HCPs) to undertake continuous professional development (CPD) courses to renew their license. The bylaw includes doctors, nurses, dentists, midwives, and pharmacists, as well as 41 additional categories of health professionals who require a license for practice issued by the Ministry of Health (MOH). However, there is a lack of data on the number of allied health professionals in the country, and the number of Jordanian HCPs actively practicing abroad. The GOJ issued the 2019 CPD Instructions to further clarify the process of license renewal, stating which health organizations are considered accredited CPD providers. These include the MOH, Royal Medical Services (RMS), health councils, training hospitals and centers approved by the Jordan Medical Council (JMC), professional associations and societies, health science colleges, accredited national and international electronic learning platforms, and any providers approved by the National CPD Committee (NCPDC) according to specified criteria. The 2019 CPD Instructions have recently been revised by NCPDC and approved by the Ministers Council in September 2021, excluding the private sector as an independent CPD provider, pending approval by the Cabinet. Private sector organizations are instead expected to enter partnerships with the pre-approved CPD providers such as the MOH, the health councils, health associations, and teaching hospitals other than private sector organizations developing electronic programs that can be accredited by the NCPDC. The LHSS developed this private sector engagement strategy to identify opportunities for increasing private sector engagement with the goals of expanding the number of CPD providers and activities. The key objectives of the strategy are to develop a strategy for LHSS and the CPD stakeholders (MOH, health councils, and private sector organizations) to engage the private sector in CPD provision, and to present recommendations for strengthening the CPD system in Jordan. The strategy includes short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies for engaging the private sector in CPD provision. The short-term strategies (within 1 year) include mapping private sector organizations and their CPD activities, identifying opportunities for partnerships with pre-approved CPD providers, and developing a plan for private sector engagement in CPD provision. The medium-term strategies (1-2 years) include establishing partnerships with private sector organizations, developing electronic learning platforms, and providing training and capacity-building programs for private sector organizations. The long-term strategies include expanding the number of private sector organizations providing CPD activities, developing a private sector-led CPD system, and ensuring sustainability of the CPD system in Jordan. The strategy also identifies challenges and opportunities for implementing a CPD system in Jordan. The challenges include the lack of data on the number of allied health professionals in the country, the number of Jordanian HCPs actively practicing abroad, and the high level of private sector HCP employment. The opportunities include the potential for private sector organizations to provide CPD activities, the development of electronic learning platforms, and the expansion of the number of CPD providers and activities. The strategy concludes that the LHSS project and the CPD key stakeholders in the public and private sector can consider the recommendations presented in this strategy to strengthen the CPD system in Jordan. The recommendations include developing a private sector engagement strategy, establishing partnerships with private sector organizations, developing electronic learning platforms, and providing training and capacity-building programs for private sector organizations.