Novel Education Modules Addressing the Underrepresentation of Skin of Color in Dermatology Training

Background Representative images of pathology in patients with skin of color are lacking in most medical education resources. This particularly affects training in dermatology, which relies heavily on the use of images to teach pattern recognition. The presentation of skin pathology can vary greatly among different skin tones, and this lack of representation of dark skin phototypes challenges providers’ abilities to provide quality care to patients of color. In Botswana and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, this challenge is further compounded by limited resources and access to dermatologists. There is a need for improved and accessible educational resources to train medical students and local medical providers in basic skin lesion description and diagnosis. Objectives We examined whether online Perceptual and Adaptive Learning Modules (PALMs) composed of representative dark skin images could efficiently train University of Botswana medical students to more accurately describe and diagnose common skin conditions in their community. Methods Year 4 and 5 medical students voluntarily completed PALMs that teach skin morphology, configuration, and distribution terminology and diagnosis of the most common dermatologic conditions in their community. Pre-tests, post-tests and delayed-tests assessed knowledge acquisition and retention. Results PALMs training produced statistically significant ( P < .0001) improvements in accuracy and fluency with large effect sizes (1.5, 3.7) and good retention after a 12.5-21-week median delay. Limitations were a self-selected group of students, a single institution, slow internet connections, and high drop-out rates. Conclusions Overall, population-specific PALMs are a useful tool for efficient development of pattern recognition in skin disease description and diagnosis.

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Development and launch of the first obstetrics and gynaecology master of medicine residency training programme in Botswana

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-020-02446-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

R. Luckett ◽

M. Nassali ◽

T. Melese ◽

B. Moreri-Ntshabele ◽

T. Moloi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Training Programme ◽

International Standards ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Subspecialty Training ◽

Continuous Assessment ◽

Curricular Development ◽

Apprenticeship Training ◽

University Of Botswana ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

The University

Abstract Background Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces a severe shortage of Obstetrician Gynaecologists (OBGYNs). While the Lancet Commission for Global Surgery recommends 20 OBGYNs per 100,000 population, Botswana has only 40 OBGYNs for a population of 2.3 million. We describe the development of the first OBGYN Master of Medicine (MMed) training programme in Botswana to address this human resource shortage. Methods We developed a 4-year OBGYN MMed programme at the University of Botswana (UB) using the Kern’s approach. In-line with UB MMed standards, the programme includes clinical apprenticeship training complemented by didactic and research requirements. We benchmarked curriculum content, learning outcomes, competencies, assessment strategies and research requirements with regional and international programmes. We engaged relevant local stakeholders and developed international collaborations to support in-country subspecialty training. Results The OBGYN MMed curriculum was completed and approved by all relevant UB bodies within ten months during which time additional staff were recruited and programme financing was assured. The programme was advertised immediately; 26 candidates applied for four positions, and all selected candidates accepted. The programme was launched in January 2020 with government salary support of all residents. The clinical rotations and curricular development have been rolled out successfully. The first round of continuous assessment of residents was performed and internal programme evaluation was conducted. The national accreditation process was initiated. Conclusion Training OBGYNs in-country has many benefits to health systems in SSA. Curricula can be adjusted to local resource context yet achieve international standards through thoughtful design and purposeful collaborations.

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Development and Launch of the First Obstetrics and Gynaecology Master of Medicine Residency Training Programme in Botswana

10.21203/rs.3.rs-47584/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rebecca Luckett ◽

Mercy Nassali ◽

Tadele Melese ◽

Badani Moreri-Ntshabele ◽

Thabo Moloi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Training Programme ◽

International Standards ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Subspecialty Training ◽

University Of Botswana ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

The University ◽

Assessment Strategies ◽

Resource Shortage ◽

Severe Shortage

Abstract Background: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces a severe shortage of Obstetrician Gynaecologists (OBGYNs). While the Lancet Commission for Global Surgery recommends 20 OBGYNs per 100,000 population, Botswana has only 40 OBGYNs for a population of 2.3 million. We describe the development of the first OBGYN Master of Medicine (MMed) training programme in Botswana to address this human resource shortage.Methods: We developed a curriculum for a 4-year OBGYN MMed at the University of Botswana (UB). We benchmarked curriculum content, learning outcomes, competencies, assessment strategies and research requirements with regional and international programmes. We engaged relevant local stakeholders and developed international collaborations to support in-country subspecialty training. Results: The OBGYN MMed curriculum was completed and approved by all relevant UB bodies within ten months during which time additional staff were recruited and programme financing was assured. The programme was advertised immediately; 26 candidates applied for four positions, and all selected candidates accepted. The programme was launched in January 2020 with government salary support of all residents. The national accreditation process was initiated.Conclusion: Training OBGYNs in-country has many benefits to health systems in SSA. Curricula can be adjusted to local resource context yet achieve international standards through thoughtful design and purposeful collaborations.

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Prevalence and pattern of sleep disorder among final year medical students in a teaching hospital in sub-Saharan Africa

Journal of Medicine in the Tropics ◽

10.4103/jomt.jomt_37_19 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 86

Author(s):

OG Osaigbovo ◽

ER Ogbolu ◽

BN Okeahialam

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Sleep Disorder ◽

Teaching Hospital ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sub Saharan

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Mental health in Sierra Leone

BJPsych International ◽

10.1192/bji.2019.17 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 14-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dawn Harris ◽

Tarik Endale ◽

Unn Hege Lind ◽

Stephen Sevalie ◽

Abdulai Jawo Bah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Sierra Leone ◽

Quality Care ◽

Mental Health Policy ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

National Budget ◽

People With Mental Illness ◽

Provide Quality Care ◽

Sub Saharan

Sierra Leone is a West African country with a population of just over 7 million. Many Sierra Leoneans lived through the psychologically distressing events of the civil war (1991–2002), the 2014 Ebola outbreak and frequent floods. Traditionally, mental health services have been delivered at the oldest mental health hospital in sub-Saharan Africa, with no services available anywhere else in the country. Mental illness remains highly stigmatised. Recent advances include revision of the Mental Health Policy and Strategic Plan and the strengthening of mental health governance and district services. Many challenges lie ahead, with the crucial next steps including securing a national budget line for mental health, reviewing mental health legislation, systematising training of mental health specialists and prioritising the procurement of psychotropic medications. National and international commitment must be made to reduce the treatment gap and provide quality care for people with mental illness in Sierra Leone.

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Assessing Women Caregiving Role to People Living With HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, West Africa

SAGE Open ◽

10.1177/2158244017692013 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 215824401769201 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ekaete Francis Asuquo ◽

Josephine B. Etowa ◽

Margaret I. Akpan

Keyword(s):

Quality Care ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Family Members ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Caregiving Roles ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Aids

HIV/AIDS scourge remains high in most countries of sub-Saharan Africa such as Nigeria, which is home to about 3.3 million HIV positive individuals and represents the second largest burden of HIV/AIDS care, treatment and demand worldwide after South Africa. Anti-retroviral treatment options though a welcome development, has increased the number of people living with this chronic illness, and most of them depend on family members for physical and emotional support. Traditional gender norms in Nigeria ensure that legitimately, women and girls are the first options for caregiving roles. This mandatory role has in turn imposed psychosocial disruption in the lives of female family members in Calabar, Nigeria. This descriptive study utilized convenient sampling technique, Zarit Burden Interview scale and semistructured questionnaires for data collection (260 respondents), and data analyses were achieved using SPSS16.0. The study showed that a significant ( p < .05) proportion of women (91%) were involved in providing care, including children from 10 years and above. Caregivers had minimal social support which increased the burden they experienced. The need for policy that recognizes and supports female caregivers (“silent cornerstone”) to reduce burden and ensure high quality care of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Nigeria is advocated.

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How innovative and conventional curricula prepare medical students for practice in Sub-Saharan Africa: A comparative study from Mozambique

Education for Health ◽

10.4103/1357-6283.210515 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 3

Author(s):

JannekeM Frambach ◽

BeatrizA. F Manuel ◽

AfonsoM. T Fumo ◽

Bernard Groosjohan ◽

CeesP. M Van Der Vleuten ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Comparative Study ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sub Saharan

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Prenatal diagnosis may represent a point of entry of genetic science in sub-Saharan Africa: a survey on the attitudes of medical students and physicians from Cameroon

Prenatal Diagnosis ◽

10.1002/pd.1502 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 26 (8) ◽

pp. 760-761 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ambroise Wonkam ◽

Fru F Angwafo

Keyword(s):

Prenatal Diagnosis ◽

Medical Students ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Point Of Entry ◽

Genetic Science ◽

Sub Saharan

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The Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception towards Epilepsy amongst Medical Students in Uyo, Southern Nigeria

Advances in Medicine ◽

10.1155/2015/876135 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Bertha C. Ekeh ◽

Udeme E. Ekrikpo

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

Knowledge Gap ◽

Clinical Exposure ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

Southern Nigeria ◽

Epilepsy Treatment ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Basic Medical

Background and Aim.Epilepsy remains a stigmatized disease especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Lack of information and illiteracy has been blamed as the cause of the stigmatization. This stigmatization stems from the fact that the traditional African belief views epilepsy as a spiritual disease. We studied the knowledge, attitude, and perception towards epilepsy amongst medical students comparing the knowledge of the clinical students with that of the basic medical (preclinical) students.Methodology.The participants were medical students in University of Uyo. We administered questionnaires which explored the knowledge of etiology (perceived and medically proven). We studied the beliefs in infectivity of epilepsy, treatment together with their attitudes, and perception to persons with epilepsy.Results.Most of the participants do not have a good knowledge of epilepsy. The knowledge, however, was much better amongst the clinical students. There is some difference in the attitudes of the clinical students compared with the basic students.Conclusion.There is a knowledge gap in epilepsy even amongst medical students. Participants still harbor the traditional African beliefs that epilepsy is a spiritual disease. Mercifully, the knowledge is better amongst the clinical students. This is not surprising since the clinical students have had clinical exposure to epilepsy.

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Examining the Status of English as a Medium of Instruction in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Comparative Study of Botswana and Nigeria

European Scientific Journal ESJ ◽

10.19044/esj.2021.v17n36p51 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (36) ◽

pp. 51

Author(s):

Oris Tom-Lawyer ◽

Michael Thomas ◽

Maureen Sindisiwe Kalane

Keyword(s):

Political Development ◽

Best Practice ◽

English Language ◽

Literacy Skills ◽

Drop Out ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Medium Of Instruction ◽

Policy Makers ◽

The Status ◽

Sub Saharan

This paper examines the status of English as a medium of instruction in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by comparing how it is taught and learned in Botswana and Nigeria. The paper’s argument is based on the premise that learners acquire literacy skills in a familiar language (Williams, 2011). The English language is an official language in the two countries and has been linked to their social, economic and political development (Cholakova, 2015). The aim of the study is to compare the status of English as a medium of instruction in Botswana and Nigeria, identify and examine the implications for its use, and recommend best practice for policymakers in the field. Based on a systematic review of research between 2000 and 2021, the paper identifies several key findings affecting both countries: the insufficient acquisition of literacy skills in English, the need for a language policy review in Botswana, and the need for a thorough review of teacher quality by the governments of both countries if United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4.c is to be achieved by the deadline of 2030. The implications of the review for both countries are that pupils drop out of school as a result of their lack of understanding of English; a non-credit pass in English at the secondary level can hinder students’ career progression; English remains parents’ educationally preferred language; and policy makers need to have a strategic awareness of how English and other languages are used in their communities for educational purposes.

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