Lessons from a community based interdisciplinary learning exposure: benefits for both students and communities in Uganda

BMC Medical Education

Samuel Okech¹  John David Kabasa¹  Patrick Kalibala¹  Peninah Nsamba¹  Irene Naigaga¹  Ronald Nuwamanya¹  Esther Buregyeya²  Jimmy Osuret²  Tonny Ssekamatte²  Edwinah Atusingwize²  Christine Nalwadda²  William Bazeyo²  Winnie Bikaako³  Timothy Wakabi³  Agnes Yawe³  Juvenal Kagarama³  Sarah Nitumusiima³ 

[1] Makerere University College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity;Makerere University School of Public Health;One Health Central and Eastern Africa (OHCEA);

关键词: One Health Institute;    community based training;    Multi-disciplinary field attachment;    One Health approach;    Uganda;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12909-020-02429-2

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Makerere University implemented a One Health Institute (OHI) in 2016 involving undergraduate students selected from different disciplines. The students were first taken through theoretical principles of One Health followed by a field attachment in communities. The field attachment aimed to expose students to experiential educational opportunities in the communities in a One Health approach. In this paper, we present students’ experiences and their contributions to the communities of attachment. Methods This was a cross-sectional study, utilizing qualitative data collection methods. The study involved students who participated in the OHI field attachment and community members in a One Health demonstration site-Western Uganda. Four focus group discussions (FGDs) and four in-depths interviews (IDIs) were conducted among the students, while four FGDs and twelve IDIs were conducted among community members. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed manually. Results The four themes that emerged are: students’ understanding and appreciation of One Health concept, their experiences and gains from the multi-disciplinary field attachment, students’ contributions to the community, and challenges faced by the students. Students had good knowledge of One Health. They appreciated that health cannot be achieved by one discipline or sector and thus the need to collaborate across sectors. Regarding experiences and gains during the multi-disciplinary field attachment, the students appreciated that each discipline had a role to play in achieving health in the community. They appreciated the training citing skills gained in communication, team work and collaboration. They also reported a feeling of gratitude and accomplishment because they felt they made a positive change to the community by putting in place interventions to address some of the community challenges. Similarly, the communities appreciated the students’ contribution in solving their health challenges, ranging from conducting health education to improving sanitation and hygiene. Conclusions Through the OHI, students gained One Health competencies including communication, teamwork, and collaboration. Adopting an interdisciplinary model in university teaching system especially during field placement would strengthen skills of collaboration, team work and communication which are critical for a multi-disciplinary approach which is needed among the future workforce in order to solve the current health challenges.

【 授权许可】

Unknown