Using a Nominal Group Technique to Inform a Curriculum of a Short Learning Programme for Peer Mentor Training in a Health Sciences Context.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to explore the use of a modified nominal group technique (mNGT) to inform the curriculum of a Short Learning Programme for peer mentors in the Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice (BCMP) program. METHODS: An mNGT was used to achieve group consensus. Research participants included academic staff and students of the BCMP program called clinical associate (ClinA) students. Two sessions of the nominal group techniques (NGTs) were conducted. Two questions were presented: (1) what should be the learning outcomes of a Short Learning Programme for peer mentors for ClinA students? and (2) what learning activities should be included to achieve the intended learning outcomes? RESULTS: mNGT groups were both concluded in < 2 h and the costs involved were minimal. The priority outcomes of academic staff were to promote and encourage a positive, inclusive environment to enhance student morale; and to provide insight into the roles that peer mentors should fulfill. The primary objectives of academic staff were to foster and support a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere to boost student morale, as well as to offer guidance on the responsibilities that peer mentors should undertake. The top priorities of students were to provide insight into the role of a ClinA and the personal development of peer mentors. Learning activities suggested included time management and personal growth of peer mentors, "how to be an effective mentor," and leadership skills. The outcomes formulated by research participants reflected the graduate attributes listed by the University of Pretoria as well as generic attributes described by international scholars. DISCUSSION: A common NGT was an inexpensive and time-saving way to obtain rank-ordered data from research participants. This modified method ensured an equitable and inclusive approach, ensuring buy-in from all stakeholders, and is useful in the development of a curriculum for Short Learning Programmes. Both staff and students converged on common outcomes related to academic, psychosocial, and ClinA role support MeSH Terms: Consensus; Curriculum; Humans; Leadership; Mentors; Students.

Outcomes of a Short Course in Improving Eye Healthcare Knowledge and Skills Among Final-Year Medical Students.

Background: Globally, at least, more than 2 billion people are either blind or visually impaired, the majority of whom live in low-income settings. Visually impaired people experience limitations in their daily activities in addition to the negative psychological impact. Ophthalmology is not a major focus in medical curricula, including in Sudan. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a short course in improving eye healthcare knowledge and skills among final-year medical students in a public university in Khartoum State, Sudan. Methods: A mixed-methods interventional study was conducted among 25 final-year medical students in Sudan. A short ophthalmology course was designed and conducted aiming to strengthen the knowledge and ability of the medical students to deal with common eye disorders, eye emergencies, prevention of blindness, and promotion for eye health. Data were collected using a closed-ended questionnaire at the start and 1 month after completion of the course. The quantitative data were analyzed using Excel, and the Fisher exact test was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 21.0) to examine any association between variables of interest. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The quantitative data was supplemented by one focus group discussion that was conducted at the end of the course. Results: The average ophthalmology knowledge of participants improved from 52.6 to 86.6% (p < 0.001). Diagnostic skills improved from 57.3 to 93.6% (p < 0.001), and knowledge regarding the needed interventional actions improved from 58.6% to 94% (p < 0.001). Participants both enjoyed and learnt from this short course. Participants felt more confident and able to distinguish between simple, complicated, and urgent conditions. The majority of course content was new to them, but they suggested replacing some content with actual clinical work. Conclusion: A well-designed short ophthalmology course significantly improves the levels of medical students' knowledge and skills towards eye health. Implementing such a course as a standard component in the national medical curriculum has the potential to contribute towards the reduction of blindness in the long term.

Risk factors of ocular morbidity among under-five years old children in Khartoum State- Sudan- 2020.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Visual impairment in early childhood can significantly affect the development of visual, motor, and cognitive function and potentially lead to long-term adverse psychosocial consequences. This study aimed to identify the risk factors of ocular morbidity among under 5-year old children in Khartoum State, Sudan. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three tertiary eye care hospitals in Khartoum State, Sudan. The study included 391 children under the age of 5 years. The parent(s) were interviewed using a precoded, pretested, closed-ended questionnaire that included questions regarding socio-demographic profile and possible risk factors. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 21.0). A P-value of less than .05 was regarded as significant. RESULTS: There was a significant association between participants with diabetes mellitus and poor vision (P-value <.001). Two-thirds of participants (57%) with visual impairment had mothers, who reportedly attended antenatal care services regularly (P-value .001), revealing a significant statistical association. Maternal diseases, specifically diabetes, was identified as a risk factor for poor visual acuity in their offspring (P-value <.001). A significant relation was revealed between family history of eye disease and the degree of relationship to the affected participant (P-value <.001). There was an association between watching TV and current visual acuity (P-value <.001); as well as using mobile phones and current visual acuity (P-value <.001). Multilinear analysis revealed the stronger influence of TV watching rather than the use of mobile phones (P-value <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes, diabetic mothers, a family history of ocular morbidity, watching television, and using mobile phones emerged as significant risk factors of ocular morbidity among children under the age of 5 years in this study. Many of these risk factors are either modifiable or controllable ocular morbidities among under-five children can be reduced with suitable interventions.

The quality of voluntary medical male circumcision done by mid-level workers in Tshwane District, South Africa: A retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces the acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in heterosexual men by up to 60%. One HIV infection is averted for every 5 to 15 VMMCs. To conduct VMMCs in large populations, large numbers of trained healthcare professionals are needed. Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have a high burden of HIV and a shortage of healthcare professionals, creating a healthcare conundrum. To bridge this gap, South Africa launched a new cadre of mid-level medical worker called Clinical Associates (CA). We assessed the ability of CAs to perform circumcisions of adequate quality and their subsequent usefulness to meet the demands of VMMCs in a population with a high HIV burden. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis, reviewing patient files (n = 4850) of surgical VMMCs conducted over a 16-month period. Patient files were sourced from clinics and hospitals that provided free VMMCs in Tshwane district in South Africa. FINDINGS: Clinical associates performed 88.66% of the circumcisions and doctors performed the remaining 11.34% (p < 0.001). The number of adverse events did not differ between the two groups. Data on intra-operative adverse events were available for 4 738 patients. Of these, 341 (7.2%) experienced intra-operative adverse events. For the whole sample, 44 (8.1%, n = 543) adverse events occurred during circumcisions done by doctors and 297 (7.1%, n = 4195) occurred during circumcisions done by CAs (p = 0.385). Clinical associates performed circumcisions in shorter times (duration: 14.63 minutes) compared to doctors (duration: 15.25 minutes, t = -7.46; p < 0.001). Recorded pain, bleeding, swelling, infection and wound destruction did not differ between clients circumcised by CAs and doctors. This study is limited by the use of data from a single district. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical associates contribute to the demands for high numbers of VMMCs in Tshwane district, South Africa. Clinical associates perform VMMCs at a clinical standard that is comparable to circumcisions performed by doctors.