Improving interprofessional collaboration: building confidence using a novel HIV curriculum for healthcare workers across sub-Saharan africa.

The 21st century presents significant global health challenges that necessitate an integrated health workforce capable of delivering person-centered and integrated healthcare services. Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) plays a vital role in achieving integration and training an IPC-capable workforce in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has become imperative. This study aims to assess changes in IPC confidence among learners participating in a team-based, case-based HIV training programme across diverse settings in SSA. Additionally, it sought to examine the impact of different course formats (in-person, synchronous virtual, or blended learning) on IPC confidence. Data from 20 institutions across 18 SSA countries were collected between May 1 and December 31, 2021. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate associations between variables of interest and the increases in IPC confidence. The analysis included 3,842 learners; nurses comprised 37.9% (n = 1,172) and physicians 26.7% (n = 825). The majority of learners (67.2%, n = 2,072) were pre-service learners, while 13.0% (n = 401) had graduated within the past year. Factors significantly associated with increased IPC confidence included female gender, physician cadre, completion of graduate training over 12 months ago, and participation in virtual or in-person synchronous workshops (p < .05). The insights from this analysis can inform future curriculum development to strengthen interprofessional healthcare delivery across SSA.

Developing a pain assessment tool for patients after major abdominal surgery.

The purpose of this study was to develop a pain assessment tool for use among postoperative patients in Zambia (Postoperative Pain Assessment tool for Zambia, or POPAZ). Phase 1 of this project was an epidemiological quantitative analytical study conducted at the University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka in Zambia. The sample comprised of 30 nurses and surgeons who were actively involved in providing direct patient care to post-surgical patients. An adapted Clinical Decision Making Survey tool was used to collect the data. The study revealed five relevant measures of postoperative pain: patient mobility/activity, level of tolerance to activity, facial expressions, vital signs and overall patient behaviour. The findings of this phase have thus provided a framework for the development of a postoperative pain assessment tool that can be used with postsurgical patients following major abdominal surgery.

Enhancing global health and education in Malawi, Zambia, and the United States through an interprofessional global health exchange program.

AIM: This article describes participant outcomes of an interprofessional collaboration between health professionals and faculty in Malawi, Zambia, and the United States (US). BACKGROUND: One strategy critical for improving global health and addressing Millennium Development goals is promotion of interprofessional education and collaboration. METHODS: Program participants included 25 health professionals from Malawi and Zambia, and 19 faculty/health professionals from Alabama and California. African Fellows participated in a 2 week workshop on Interprofessional Education in Alabama followed by 2 weeks working on individual goals with faculty collaborators/mentors. The US Fellows also spent 2 weeks visiting their counterparts in Malawi and Zambia to develop plans for sustainable partnerships. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Program evaluations demonstrated participants' satisfaction with the program and indicated that the program promoted interprofessional and cross-cultural understanding; fostered development of long-term sustainable partnerships between health professionals and educators in Zambia and the US; and created increased awareness and use of resources for global health education.