International work
Since 2001 then over 100 courses have been held in Australia, New Zealand, Kiribas, Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Thailand-Myanmar border teaching over 2000 maternity care professionals. ALSO Asia-Pacific and later AMaRE have also had a close relationship with ALSO Japan. International courses were first held in the Asia-Pacific region in 2009. A close relationship has been established with Prof Rose McCready an Australian doctor based in Thailand working with Shoklo Malaria Research Unit and providing ALSO and AMaRE training to community health workers in refugee camps and migrant communities on the Thai-Myanmar border. AMaRE australia photos international work photos AMaRE timeline 2001 to 2021 AMaRE
Evolution: from ALSO Asia-Pacific to AMaRE
In recognition of the differences in maternity safety practice ALSO Asia-Pacific has conducted constant improvement and updates for the Australian, New Zealand and Asia-Pacific context. Major updates occurred in 2002, 2008 and 2018. AMaRE was formally formed in 2012 just prior to the introduction of the Becoming a Breech Expert or BABE course which was created by AMaRE Australia. In recognition of a need to provide both a basic and advanced course a major update of ‘ALSO’ in Australia occurred in 2018 with the creation of Preparation in Maternity Safety or PIMS as ALSO part 1 and Advancing in Maternity Safety or AIMS as ALSO part 2.
As of 2020 AMaRE has reduced its reach within Asia-Pacific to focus on overseeing AIMS in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Myanmar as a derivative of ALSO in association with AAFP. All other courses have been created and are run by AMaRE. In the future, AMaRE plans to develop further courses in maternal, newborn and reproductive health education.
Throughout the life of ALSO Asia-Pacific the ALSO course and then the AMaRE PIMS, AIMS and BABE courses have had recognition for continuing medical education from relevant professional colleges including the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), the Australian College of Midwives (ACM), the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine (ACEM).
It is recommended that maternity care providers complete the course every 4-5 years.
AMaRE, is governed by a Board of 7 volunteer maternity care providers these cover the 3 professional groups being GP obstetricians, obstetricians, and midwives.
Our courses are theoretical and practical designed to assist health professionals develop and maintain the knowledge and practical skills to manage emergencies that may arise in maternity and newborn care.
All maternity practitioners know that there are many safe and acceptable ways of dealing with different emergency situations. The procedures and approaches covered in the ALSO course are reasonable, consistent and evidence-based and enable everyone to not only identify those at risk of obstetric emergencies but also to manage emergencies when they arise.
The AMaRE maternity safety course has been conducted in 2 stages since 2018 (basic and advanced).
