Case Study: Using Task Analysis to Determine the Status of Education and Practice of Medical Licentiates for the Provision of Anesthesia in Zambia.

Task analysis methodology was used to identify gaps in the education and practice of Medical Licentiates, a cadre of primary care health providers in Zambia, related to the provision of anesthesia. Findings of the analysis indicate that Medical Licentiates who work in facilities where there are no fully qualified anesthesiologists or physicians often feel obligated to provide these services in order to save lives although they lack sufficient formal education or clinical practice opportunities. The government translated the findings into immediate modifications to the education, training and practice of anesthetic tasks by Medical Licentiates by developing an elective course within the pre-service education program and upgrading the certification of Medical Licentiates to a bachelor's degree.